The Piece Hall flourishes in summer. The well-curated events series brings people out in droves, capturing the ears and nostalgic pangs of many with the old-school concerts, plus those seeking performances from somewhat newer, more current names. It’s an exciting place to be! So I couldn’t wait to cover the phenomenal Placebo as press*.

Pulsating synths that you could feel in your boots began rumbling as Friedberg, the impeccably selected support act, started. ‘My Best Friend’ was the buoyant opener, and the vibe was absolutely ripe for the sun to start reappearing through the clouds. Two complementing guitars, a nice deep bass and a full drum kit created this electric, upbeat atmosphere as they played. And with it being prime Euro 24 time, their lead vocalist cited being Austrian and having just topped their group, which they said built this unique backstage experience. It clearly culminated in an all-fired-up, fun onstage presence.

The as-yet-unreleased ‘Hardcore Workout Queen’ went down a storm with the crowd, while their recently dropped single, ‘The Greatest,’ delivered a tambourine-and-cowbell-tinged indie-pop champion. There was some double drumming on the penultimate tune, as their lead guitarist buzzed round to join their drummer on the sticks, and the mood was just great all around me. Certainly a band I’d see again, as that set whizzed past far too quickly.

I can’t even remember how old I was when I first heard Placebo’s ‘Meds’. 12, maybe 13? Regardless, it was at a point when I was discovering new music in abundance and really delving into emo, grunge and rock niches. That song’s been my favourite of theirs, though there were so many evident diehard fans beside me that may have had differing opinions. On a humid evening, I found myself in a sea of fishnet tights and dark eyeliner, and that emo/grunge style had resurfaced exquisitely, no matter how young or old folk were.

Following Brian Molko’s pre-show message on the big screen, about respectfully not filming the duration of the set, as fleeting moments can’t be replicated, I spied the massive wall of white amps and arsenal of guitars in the rack. And before I knew it, slow drumming started as the full band ascended in pairs.

‘Taste in Men’ was birthed as the first song and the stage screen was lit up with filmed footage in pixelated neon greens and purples, then different colours framed the scene track by track. Through that, combined with the iconic vocals, shredding riffs, heavy bass and harmonised synths everyone had come for, we were gifted a real show. You know, the ones only the professionals really nail? A masterclass.

‘Happy Birthday in the Sky’, ‘Bionic’, ‘Every You Every Me’ and more roared across the venue; it was obvious why Molko shared the bands both claimed the space “[sounded] better than a Roman amphitheatre”. All the while, I was hooked on those long, transcendent solos and, let’s not forget, the fabulously fat, supercharged electronics served on ‘Sad White Reggae’.

Funnily enough, as they sang of being “surrounded by spies”, they were simply in the presence of people who revered them…

*With thanks to Chuff Media for the press access.