On a balmy summer evening in June, the iconic Canons Amphitheatre in the heart of Bristol was transformed into a haven for alternative rock enthusiasts. The anticipation in the air was clear to see as fans gathered for what promised to be an unforgettable night headlined by the legendary band, PLACEBO.
With a career spanning three decades and a catalogue of hits that have defined the genre, the stage was set for an epic night of music. But before Placebo took the stage, the crowd was treated to performances by two exceptional support acts: FRIEDERG and PORRIDGE RADIO.
The evening kicked off with FRIEDERG, an alternative rock/pop band hailing from Berlin and London who opened the evening’s entertainment but owing to a very congested M5 motorway, we were delayed, and ended up arriving as the final chords rang out across the amphitheatre. I was told by another photographer that their set was high octane from start to finish and included some great tracks from their back catalogue including 2024 singles ‘My Best Friend’, ‘Hello’ and their new song ‘The Greatest’ (which comes with a very interesting video filmed on the streets of Peckham in South London - go check it out). I caught up with Anna F from the band after their set, keep an eye on musomuso.com for more information on when it will be available to hear.
Next up was PORRIDGE RADIO, a band known for their emotionally charged indie rock. The Brighton-based group took the stage with a quiet confidence, their raw and honest sound driving deep into the hearts of the audience.
They drew upon their back catalogue with tracks including ‘Sweet, ‘The Rip’ and ‘Back to the Radio’ and they also included their brand new single ‘Everyone’s a Superstar’ which landed in early June. Despite owning a couple of the records, I had never seen the band live so it was great to watch them in actin, their blend of laid back indie rock fusing nicely with the keys and solid backline which formed the backbone of their sound.
As the sun began to set, the amphitheatre was bathed in twilight and the anticipation for PLACEBO reached a fever pitch. A pre-recorded message from Brian Molko himself asked if the audience would respect their wishes and refrain from taking photographs and videos throughout their performance, as he wanted everyone to enjoy the gig without having to look into the screen of someone else’s phone! A bold move, but one that was reinforced by the security team in the pit, if they saw a phone being raised, they would shine a bright torch at it until its owner got the message.
The band opened with “Taste in Men”, the iconic bass line and Brian Molko's distinctive voice immediately transporting the audience back to the late '90s. The energy in the amphitheatre was electric, with the crowd singing along to every word. The set delved deep into their 30 year arsenal of hits including, “Every You Every Me," another classic that had everyone jumping and dancing.
Placebo continued to deliver hit after hit, including “Try Better Next Time” and “Too Many Friends”, which saw the audience's enthusiasm reach new heights. The band’s tight performance and Molko's magnetic stage presence made each song feel like a personal experience. "The Bitter End" brought a surge of adrenaline, whilst the power of “Nancy Boy”, added a touch of magic that ended part one of their performance.
After a short break, they re-appeared and belted out “Infra-Red” which was followed by a sublime version of Kate Bush’s, “Running up That Hill”, which captivated the audience and delivered a whole new take on the pop classic that was given a new lease of life by the hit Netflix American sci-fi/coming of age drama ‘Stranger Things’.
Placebo’s performance was a testament to their appeal and their ability to connect with fans both old and new, who had ALL turned out tonight to catch their heroes in action.
The evening of music at Canons Amphitheatre was a triumphant celebration of alternative rock. From the feisty, energetic and fresh sounds of FRIEDERG and the emotive depth of PORRIDGE RADIO to the timeless power of PLACEBO, each act brought something unique to the stage. The warm summer evening in Bristol will be remembered by all who attended as a night of incredible music and unforgettable moments.
Words by Steve Muscutt
Pictures by Glenn Morrison and Steve Muscutt
