Placebo played an in-store show at the Virgin Megastore (Union Square, NYC) on the fifth of November at 6:00pm. The show itself was *incredible*. The band really put a lot into their performance--watching Brian perform is emotional in and of itself. My day started off by getting to the store around 12 noon (which I didn't need to do) and watching Placebo's crew set up their instruments and soundcheck. I picked a primes pot on the floor, and sat down, reading Good Omens for the 50th time. (note: if you've not read this book, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, I suggest you do so immediately). The security in the store told me that i could not sit on the floor in there. Okay, so then, I guess I'll stand. One of the members of Placebo's crew was REALLY nice, and gave me a stool from their equiptment to sit on. I really think this guy was wonderful. I thanked him and sat back down to read some more. The guard told me that I couldn't sit on the stool, either, and that if I wanted to wait for the show, I had to wait outside. (Now, mind you, New York is not exactly warm in November). The man from their crew told him it was fine if I sat there, but outside I had to go. I walked around a bit, went in and out of the store, watched the band soundcheck Pure Morning, My Sweet Prince and Without You, I'm Nothing and then, back outside, I entertained myself with my book, and talking to some of the other fans that started to show up a little later in the day. Really nice people-- Placebo fans are okay in my book. I find that most people, who really love a band (and considering Placebo is barely known in the US, it's likely that the people that showed up were big fans) are nice to talk to when on a line for any amount of time. Anyway, at 6:00, they finally let us in the store to see the band. Those of us who had wristbands were allowed downstairs to see the band perform. In a small space. Yeech. I started out right against the little divider between the crowd and the band, but then ended up way in the back, for there were too many people pushing and squishing me. *sigh* Actually, though, I had a great time in the back, dancing around and watching the show through starry eyes. The setlist:
Scared Of Girls
Brick Shithouse
Allergic To Thoughts Of Mother Earth
You Don't Care About Us
Without You I'm Nothing
My Sweet Prince
Every You, Every Me
Pure Morning
Lady Of The Flowers
Nancy Boy
the set was great, and I fell in love with the songs that I hadn't even heard before (since the new album came out that day in the US). Brian was cute with the crowd: someone yelled, "Bruise Pristine" and he simply said, "ugh, that's so 1996" with a smile on his face.
After the show (my only complaint was it was too short!) was a signing/meet the band. I waited to be last on line, partly because I wanted to give flowers to Brian, and partly because I was getting nervous and wanted some extra time to calm myself. I can be so silly sometimes. Anyway, when I got up there, Stefan signed my NME and setlist first, and as Brian was signing the NME issue, Stefan proceeded to draw on his own picture, which I thought was really cute. Steven signed last, and that was that. I asked Brian for a hug, and he responded with a kiss on my cheek and a hug. He smells nice and has soft hair. And I was quite excited by all of that. At the end of the night, I had, in no particular order: some great photos of the band, a ringing in my ears because they were so loud, a new cd that was destined to become my favourite cd of the 90's, a signed NME and setlist. I came home virtually unscathed, tired as anything, and missing my favourite sweater in the world. (Can't expect me to actually know where all my clothes are at such an event, can you?) All in all, a wonderful night. I can't wait for the US tour. *smiles*
click here for pictures from the Virgin megastore show, November 1998... more coming soon.
queen pristine
shiver like a violent rose, shiver... cat-like purring, scratching at my door, eyes flash sunflower patterns, poison passion, plastic glassy aura, "lips like sugar" and I know you can sing it, eyes like jaded arrows and I feel it. I dream silken pearl skin transluscent powdered skin, boy skin lipsticked and lined, glittered, starred, flipped back jet black hair, voice like screeching angels, like catapulted seraphim, leather pants packed silken skirt, lazy angel daydream coloured black-blue-pink smudged smears over bruised bite nips... sing to me just once" 27-10-98 pixie
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