Reef / Coldplay / Placebo - Greenwich Skyscape - 26/09/00
4/5
By: Toby L
Located right next to the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, the Skyscape building is playing host to many of the UK's most popular acts, in order to make a TV show, beamed across to Japan.
If this venue is meant to be temporary, then we suggest that as many bands try and play it before it closes. Surprisingly, with virtually no renowned back catalogue of concerts, the Skyscape manages to be large, but, at the same time, house a low number of people, all of whom can get an idyllic view of antics onstage.
Second on, Placebo make a surprise appearance, with Brian Molko's smoking onstage never looking so professional, waving around his newly-lit ciggie before sticking it on a cut string during an electrifying 'Nancy Boy'. Opening with 'Slave to the Wage', the boys keep it simple and only thunder through a few new songs before ending with an awing 'Pure Morning'. However, best of the bunch by far is the highly electronic and bass-leading 'Taste in Men', which spookily conjures up mind-images of quiet Soho streets in the early morning, thanks to its seedy undertones. Obviously, this is all just a fraction of the Placebo live experience. Sure, they rocked and bassist Stefan looked incredible in his genuine rock-star outfit, but only the full picture can be revealed in a full ninety minute set... Which is only a month away when they tour the UK next month - how convenient.
By now a lot of discussion has been shared amongst the crowd regarding Coldplay - a band many didn't know would be appearing. Lead-singer, the beanie hat-adorning Chris Martin, comments in reference to this, 'Were you expecting Sash or PJ & Duncan then?' Laughter aside, the hopefully now-unsick guitarist plucks at a high-pitched note before the band ease into a mellow 'Spies'. A version of 'Don't Panic' sees the charismatic frontman tossing his harmonica across the stage after parping on it, before an ever-brilliant version of past-single 'Shiver' arrives, the transcendent guitar in the chorus often proving too much. Airing his commonly-exhibited peculiarities, Martin sits down to his keyboard only to apologise to those watching at the side that may not see his face properly due to a luminous globe perched on top of the electronic instrument. And, prior to a bafflingly beautiful play of new release from 'Parachutes', 'Trouble', Chris goes on, 'Don't buy singles... Buy a shirt instead.' Rubbish, of course - the mixed crowd here tonight seem happy enough to buy any of Coldplay's music.
Suddenly, the standing-area seems that bit more crowded and before you know it, just ten minutes after the last band had finished, Reef were walking onstage to a riotous reception, lead-singer Gary wearing a blasphemous, skin-tight blue pullover. Beginning with no doubt future single 'Superhero' - which bears an uncanny resemblance to Extreme's (remember them?) 'Hole in my Heart' - the band are well into the spirit of things, and for the first time tonight, despite excellent performances all round, everyone seems to be moving.
Eager to follow this up, 'Come Back Brighter', 'Set the Record Straight' and a smattering of no-brainer rock tunes from new album 'Getaway' are among us before a truly classic play of 'Place Your Hands', preceded by an acoustically-led 'I've Got Something to Say', and followed by the best 90s riff in UK music during 'Naked'. This is just some of it; granted a longer set than the rest, Reef can only excel. During the final moments of closer 'Yer Old', indoor fireworks are let off marking the end of a red-hot show.
Truly, music on TV has never sounded so good in real life (eh?).
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