CULTURE

Doomful Placebo play southern Athens roof-top venue

Placebo’s fans in Greece are expected to welcome the brilliantly doomful band on Friday, August 8, as part of their international tour, for a one-time performance at the Peace and Friendship stadium in Neo Faliro, on the southern Athens coast. The London-based trio will be presenting its latest album since signing onto Universal, “Loud Like Love,” which was released in September 2013.

While the label may have changed, Placebo still remains as dingy and ominous as ever, but that’s its appeal. It’s always that same distinctive yet almost whiny effect that has won it praise and criticism in equal measure. With a sound similar to the likes of Kurt Cobain, lead singer Brian Elmo’s music comes from a dark place that resonates in his lyrics. This signature plaintive style, which explores personal tales of excessive drug experimentation and LGBT culture, is prominent in how the band’s cult-like fan base has been fashioned. The atmosphere evoked by the lyrics also ensures that it would be virtually impossible to get hurt in a Placebo mosh pit.

Placebo will be opened by Sigmatropic, an indie-rock act founded in 1997 by Akis Boyiatzis, after he abandoned his New Wave power punk persona of the early 80s and turned his music to the field of home-studio computer-based electronica.

The British band has appeared, among other numerous festivals around the world at Greece’s Rockwave (1998 and 2005), Festival of Music (Athens 2004, 2006) and Anti-racism Festival (2007). In addition, it has previously opened for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in Athens and Thessaloniki, and has appeared at venues in Athens, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Patra and Serres, among others.

With a fantastic view overlooking sea, from the stadium’s top floor (Open-Air Area) the evening is certain to provide a visual and quite possibly, emotional experience for the band’s devoted audience.

Tickets, priced at 33 to 39 euros, are still available in Athens at Ticket House (42 Panepistimiou, inside the arcade, tel 210.360.8366) and Reload Stores (54 Panepistimiou, tel 210.380.1464). In Thessaloniki they are available at Musicland (102 Mitropoleos, tel 2310.264.880).

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