Placebo tell critics to “get a life” and “a sense of perspective” over St Gallen festival complaints
Placebo have issued a statement aimed at their critics after the band were criticised for technical issues during their recent St Gallen festival performance – see what the band had to say below.
On June 30, Placebo were booked to perform at the OpenAir St Gallen festival in Switzerland alongside the likes of the Chainsmokers and Queens Of The Stone Age. During their set, the band experienced a number of technical issues that forced the band to cut their set short, ending much earlier than expected.
Since then, the band have been receiving criticism for the performance and fighting within the fanbase, prompting the band’s Brian Molko to issue a statement on social media. Molko began: “We have been noticing a great deal of discussion, arguments, accusations & skirmishes between our fans in relation to our truncated concert at St Gallen festival. We have also been on the receiving send of many (unimaginative & entitled) insults. So we would like to offer some clarity on what happened during our concert at St Gallen festival.”
“Shortly into the set, Stefan [Olsdal] began to have technical issues until finally guitar system ceased to function completely. So he could no long play any songs where he plays guitar. Every effort to remedy the problem by our world-class crew was taken but to no avail.”
Brian Molko explained that the band decided not to walk offstage and instead decided to play what they could with Stefan on bass. He also acknowledged that the band made sure to explain what was happening to the audience in attendance.
“Placebo use no recordings onstage. Everything is 100 per cent live. It appears obvious that this is still insufficient for certain entitled & demanding individuals. Technical issues and truncated sets are a part and parcel aspect of live performance. And it is something no band has control over.”
Molko continued: “If the idea of this unavoidable situation continues to enrage you regardless, we suggest that you go watch bands where most of the music coming from the stage is recorded. We also suggest you get a sense of perspective and try to take a look at this situation from a point of view that isn’t yours – if you are at all capable. This is a polite way of saying- get a life.”
He concluded on behalf of the band: “Most aspects of our lives, in general, are actually out of our own control and though we are strong, unfortunately electricity is much more powerful than us. We are not forcing you to come to any of our shows – it’s your individual choice. Please feel free to exercise this choice in the future and please stop insulting our loyal fan base in the virtual world.”
Earlier in June, the band announced the details of a second feature-length documentary, This Search For Meaning. The project is an intimate and enlightening portrait of the band, which explores both the meaning and subject matter behind their songs, while also diving into their evolution as a group and as human beings.
It’ll also include informal conversations with both vocalist-guitarist Brian Molko and bassist–guitarist Stefan Olsdal, as well as contributions from artists who either admire or have been inspired by Placebo. These include Garbage’s Shirley Manson, Robbie Williams, Self Esteem (Rebecca Lucy Taylor), Idles frontman Joe Talbot, Yungblud and contemporary artist Stuart Semple.
An exact date has not yet been announced, although the documentary is expected to have a theatrical release in September this year. Sign up here to find out more information about the film as it is shared.
Back in Spring 2022, the band’s latest album ‘Never Let Me Go’ was given a four-star review from NME, who hailed it as their best since 2006.
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Surej Singh
NME
