Reflections of Darkness - Music Magazine - Placebo

Details: Written by: Nicole Kizina; Published: 10 July 2007

Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, Germany
26th June 2007
Placebo, Satellite Party, Howling Bells

Every album was a little bit more successful than the one before. All in all it took 10 years to reach the top. PLACEBO’s latest album ‘Meds’ was released 1.5 years ago and now they were ready to present the new songs also to their German fans. The Philipshalle wasn’t sold out, but very well filled and the audience was hot for PLACEBO. Everyone needed patience, because there were two support acts and PLACEBO didn’t enter the stage before 9.45 p.m.

Howling Bells

The HOWLING BELLS possess a sound reminiscent of another town, another time. They'll take you to a place far eerier than Twin Peaks. They'll spirit you to the abandoned Old West, to a town shrouded in snowfall, illuminated by campfire. In this town the beguiling melodies of this four-piece will reel and roll about your head like desire and anticipation - the twin themes of their forthcoming debut album.

Recorded with renowned COLDPLAY producer, Ken Nelson, the HOWLING BELLS' self-titled debut long-player is an intoxicating collection. These are 12 songs that will ring in your ears long past listening. The hushed tom-tom of Glenn Moule's drums will pound at your brain. The exquisite tension and trauma of Joel Stein's guitar will drive you to distraction. The bass lines of Brendan Picchio prove ever-taunting. Then there's the mesmeric voice. Silky and sulky, vocalist Juanita Stein is prone to fits of sudden calm, creeping rage and perfect pop.

Just as Juanita's voice effortlessly traverses wild territory, so too does their album. The songs were lurching from blues-fuelled rock to country-folk lamentations, the buzz-saw melancholy of ‘Velvet Girl’ and the barbed longing of ‘A Ballad for the Bleeding Hearts’ are pitted against the unadulterated garage blues of ‘Low Happening’ and the saloon-swagger of ‘Broken Bones’. Then there's ‘The Bell Hit’ - a song in possession of a carousing chorus within a simple yet poetic refrain. Of all these songs, one thing rings true - the HOWLING BELLS will haunt and return to you. http://www.howlingbells.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/howlingbells

Music
A sensitive voice was supported by three other musicians, though female singer Juanita Stein was also playing guitar. She reminded me of Chrissie Hyde, front woman of THE PRETENDERS, but her voice sounded like Katie Melua just with more rock music around her. There were also two keyboards on stage, but just one was used. If I had to put it in a musical direction you can describe it as alternative music.

Performance
The band logo was written over three video screens and the background color changed with every song. After the 3rd song Juanita said hello and it seemed the crowd was a little bit too quiet for her, because she said: “Come on make some noise, you are exciting to see PLACEBP, don’t you?” But the band couldn’t really drag along the audience.

Setlist
01. Cities Burning Down
02. Wishing Stone
03. Setting Sun
04. New song (doesn’t have a name yet)
05. Blessed Night
07. Broken Bones
08. Low Happening

Rating
Music 7
Performance 6
Sound 7
Light 8
Total 7

Satellite Party

There are people who follow trends and there are those that set them. Since first bursting out of the L.A. club scene in the late '80s, Perry Farrell has been in the latter category, emerging as one of music's most influential figures and cultural leaders. Now, in his first musical endeavor in four years, Farrell is launching his most anticipated creation to date: SATELLITE PARTY, an ambitious new musical group with a bold conceptual album entitled Ultra Payloaded (Columbia Records) that will further cement his status as one of music's true revolutionaries.

The idea behind SATELLITE PARTY was born out of Farrell's passionate belief that people can change the world one step at a time, and with this project, he is launching a musical movement to do just that. Weaving together an array of genres with his progressive thinking, the music of SATELLITE PARTY tells a story about a collaborative brain trust of artistic visionaries, including writers, musicians and environmentalists called The Solutionists, who seek to redesign and come up with solutions for the world. Farrell says of The Solutionists, "We make change fashionable and use the arts as a catalyst for change." Blending sounds as varied as rock, electro, urban beats and symphony, Farrell enlisted guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt with new musicians Kevin Figueiredo on drums, Etty Lau Farrell on background vocals and Carl Restivo on bass. "When I put a band together, I settle for nothing less than the best," he said of the musicians that will bring SATELLITE PARTY to life.

The album, produced by Farrell, co-produced by Nuno Bettencourt and executive produced by Steve Lillywhite, features a host of guests including The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea and John Frusciante, UK production duo/beat-makers Hybrid, New Order/Joy Division bassist Peter Hook, down tempo pioneers Thievery Corporation, Porno for Pyros' guitarist Peter DiStefano, Black Eyed Peas' Fergie, film composer Harry Gregson-Williams (Chronicles of Narnia, Kingdom of Heaven), and a 30-piece orchestra. One of the album's highlights features an unreleased Jim Morrison vocal track, the first unheard Morrison performance in almost 30 years, of which Farrell has been given permission by The Doors estate work with. Entitled ‘Woman in the Window’, Morrison sings against a backdrop of Farrell's music, "Just try and stop us, we're going to love" before the song culminates with an elegant piano outro. Farrell calls the track the mantra of The Solutionists. "When you hear it, it sounds as though Jim Morrison were watching us and commenting on the world today," said Farrell, who was "in awe" of the prescience of Morrison's images and used the song to tell of a majestic, yet troubled Earth from the vantage point of an angel. http://www.satelliteparty.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/satelliteparty

Music
Now we had Perry Farrell on stage, once front man of JANE’S ADDICTION, so you can image there was more power on stage. Unfortunately it was the wrong music for the waiting PLACEBO fans. There was no chance to bring any enthusiasm to the crowd with Farrell’s weird sound of punk and rock. Biggest surprise on stage there was no one else than Nuno Bettencourt on guitar. Once guitarist of the fantastic EXTREME (for those of you who don’t remember the band, but sure you remember the No.1 ballad ‘More Than Words’ or big hits like ‘Get The Funk Out’ or ‘Kid Ego’). His guitar solos were awesome. Etty Farell was on backing vocals, but her main thing was dancing and trying to warm up the crowd. I have to say the music was better than the vocals, didn’t like the singing of Perry very much, so just the music alone would have been perfect.

Performance
The big eye catcher on stage, especially for the men, was Etty Farell, the wife of Perry Farell: long blonde hair, wearing hot pants, her big breasts. Besides that, she was dancing with the micro stand like she was dancing on stage in a nightclub. Perry couldn’t stand still and was also talking a lot to the people. He mentioned as well what a fantastic evening it is and what a fantastic band PLACEBO is. Of course everyone agreed. The guys really rocked. But after the reaction of the PLACEBO fans they seemed to be thankful when SATELLITE PARTY left the stage again.

Rating
Music 8
Performance 7
Sound 7
Light 8
Total 7.5

Placebo

Like other darkly romantic acts that speak directly to the soul - such as DEPECHE MODE, THE CURE, MORRISSEY - PLACEBO's rise has been steady, cultish explosion. And while their British invasion has flown quietly under the radar, their rise has been nothing short of astronomical. In 2000 their third album 'Black Market Music' sold one million copies and hit number one across Europe. In 2003 'Sleeping with Ghosts' topped that selling 1.5 millions albums, going top ten in twenty countries and saw the boys playing to 18.000 at the Bercy in Paris. The following year, they sold out Wembley Arena in London and were joined on stage by none other than Robert Smith. Other legendary moments in their history include collaborations with David Bowie, Frank Black of the PIXIES, Michael Stipe not to mention stunning with artists like VV from THE KILLS and a remix from BLOC PARTY. http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/ / http://www.myspace.com/placebo

Music
The set was a good overall view of their albums. They have chosen three new songs for the start: 'Infra Red', 'Because I Want You' and the single release 'Meds'. But they also didn't forget the single 'Song to Say Goodbye', where Brian was singing suddenly 'Auf Wiedersehen' (German for 'Goodbye'), or classics like 'Every You and Every Me'. The sound was brilliant and Brian had a powerful voice. With 'Without You I'm Nothing' and 'Bionic' they also went far back in time.

The audience was really thankful and Brian, Stefan and Steve must have felt that the people loved their choices. The first part of the show ended with the one and only 'Bitter End' and they returned for just two encores. It was a shame because the audience would have loved to hear still more. Of course there were still other great Placebo songs missing. But they can't play every song and all good things come to an end, even if it's bitter.

Performance
There was pretty much light, big video screens with different films and colorful elements and a band in a good mood. With the years and the routine, they have got also more self-esteem. The guys were dressed in black and they never moved a lot on stage, so all the lighting was real good contrast to it. Brian Molko wanted to proof his German and asked the people after welcome everyone "Haben Sie das Konzert im Fernseher gesehen? War es geil oder Scheisse?" (Have you seen the concert on TV? Was it fantastic or crap?).

We have to say that MTV Germany has shown their performance of the Hurricane Festival at the week end before. The reaction of the audience showed they loved it. Later Stefan Olsdaf (bass) was looking for contact to the fans. At first he played a stair nearer to the fans and then he went also along at the first row. Without any doubt this evening was a success.

Setlist
01. Infra Red
02. Because I Want You
03. Meds
04. Drag
05. Sleeping With Ghosts
06. Blind
07. Song to Say Goodbye
08. Follow the Cops Back Home
09. Every You Every Me
10. Special Needs
11. Pierrot the Clown
12. Without You I'm nothing
13. Bionic
14. This Picture
15. Special K
16. The Bitter End
-----------------------------------
17. Running up that Hill (Kate Bush cover)
18. Twenty Years

Rating
Music 9
Performance 9
Sound 9
Light 9
Total 9