Damn the government and search for meaning

Placebo, Friedberg

Live in 2024 Europe presented by FM4 Indiekiste, Arena Wien – Open Air, Austria 20240814

As the heat is at its peak, FM4 Indiekiste holds a very special evening at the outside area of the Arena. A full week of movies will follow with the Sommerkino featuring „Rickerl“ amongst others, and more Open Airs with likes of Faber, Einstürzende Neubauten, Heilung, My Ugly Clementine and the Beatsteaks. But before, it is time to dance to Alternative Indie Rock rhythms. 

Support comes from Friedberg tonight. Named after the town in Styria, the group around Anna F. follows their own paths, now based in London. They happily thank the main act for the invitation to play and present new material, that will be out on their debut album „Hardcore Workout Queen“ on 8th November. 

This will take them on tour through the whole country including Conrad Sohm, Rockhouse and Flex. Their own style with several voices and a lot of percussion with cowbells has something hypnotic. And their hit „The Greatest“ will be stuck in one’s head even the day after, like the Grauzone cover of „Eisbär“. 

Coming from the British Isles as well, Placebo is a welcome guest. Usually they headline Nova Rock or Frequency or appear at Stadthalle. So the smaller Arena Open Air offers a special setting to enjoy the selection of their extended discography of „Meds“, „Covers“, „A Place for Us to Dream“, the latest „Never Let Me Go“, „MTV Unplugged“ and „Placebo Live“ box set and more. 

Singer Brian Molko announces on the screen, that people should not spend the time filming and taking countless photos and luckily, the audience is with them. So they can enjoy the glitch show on the displays for „Happy Birthday in the Sky“, „Surrounded by Spies“ and „Soulmates“. 

„Haben Sie das gern, etwas alte Schule?“ Brian Molko asks with a wink before „Every You Every Me“. „Sad White Reggae“ grows big after and for „Too Many Friends“, they bring a piano on stage. The big hits „Song to Say Goodbye“ and „The Bitter End“ come towards the end and finally Placebo end a fantastic night with the last encore „Running Up That Hill“.