Placebo have officially kicked off their highly anticipated 30th anniversary tour, marking three decades since the release of their seminal 1996 debut album. The band is celebrating this milestone with an extensive UK and European arena tour, promising fans a nostalgic journey through their early discography, with a heavy focus on their debut record and their sophomore follow-up, Without You I’m Nothing.
Brian Molko of Placebo. CREDIT: Medios y Media/Getty Images
The opening night at Krakatoa in Mérignac, France, set the tone for the tour, featuring a 19-song setlist that saw Brian Molko and his bandmates revisiting tracks that have been absent from their live shows for years. The performance opened with 'Pure Morning' and immediately transitioned into the first rendition of 'Come Home' in two decades. The set continued with rare performances of 'You Don’t Care About Us', 'Without You I’m Nothing', and 'Allergic (To Thoughts Of Mother Earth)', marking the first time these songs have graced the stage in years.
The band also debuted their new single, 'Helen Keller', during a later show at the Super Bock Arena in Porto, Portugal. The track, which draws inspiration from a hidden instrumental titled 'H.K. Farewell' from their debut era, showcases a heavier, more anguished sound. In addition to the tour, the band has released a reimagined version of their debut album, with Molko and Stefan Olsdal returning to the original master tapes to provide a fresh, "director’s cut" perspective on their classic material.
The tour is scheduled to continue through the UK and Ireland before heading to Latin America in 2027. Fans can expect a career-spanning celebration that honors the band's experimental edge and enduring influence on the rock scene.