LLL Placebo European Tour Special 2014 – Interview with soulmate Ellen VG from Belgium in collaboration with Placebo Anyway.
Interview by SusanneCk
& Diana E.T.Foghin. Organization
Mary Scott.
It was an amazing show in Belgium at the Rock Werchter
Festival 2014.
And we also enjoyed the nice interview with Brian
Molko you can watch here again:
Congrats to the band and Brian for their great job as
always. Well done boys!!!
So let us start the interview. Our special guest today
is Placebo soulmate Ellen VG from Belgium.
Placebo Anyway: Nice to have you
here for this interview!! Before we start with the concert details, we would
like to know a little bit more about you... When did you discover the band and
why did you become a fan?
Ellen VG: I found out about them in 1997, I used to watch Top of
the Pops on BBC1 every Friday back then, but I was a teenager, so I listened to
songs from S Club 7, A1 etc. back in those days. I wasn’t impressed with
Placebo and up till now I must admit the early songs are still not really my
cup of tea. I started liking Placebo when I heard the song “The Bitter End”
back in 2003 but it takes more to become like a REAL fan than just one song. So
last year I decided I wanted to go to another rock concert and I looked through
the list of artists performing in Belgium and I stumbled on Placebo, I called a
friend and she came with me. After the concert in Antwerp I was so impressed
with the guitars and the drumming. This was amazing! I looked more stuff up on
YouTube afterwards and then I slowly became a fan.
Placebo Anyway: What about your cd
and merchandising collection? Do you have everything from the official
collection and also a special treasure like a limited edition box etc.?
Ellen VG: I’m not into band merch at all, so no t-shirts or
anything else. I do own all their cd’s. As I was a teenager in the 90ties, I
still want the real cd in my hands. I love it!
Placebo Anyway: Speaking about the
gig some of us watch the live stream while dome watched it live. How was it for
you?
Ellen VG: Well, I was really excited about it, we left really
early and arrived at 10am. I was determined to get front row. When the door
opened my friend and I ran like freaks to the main stage, but when we got there
we were a little confused. There was this HUUUGE bridge standing in front of
the stage. I asked security and they said it was for Metallica. We stayed at
the front row for a while, but as soon as other bands started performing we
realized we didn’t see anything. I complained to security again and they told
me we’re not gonna see anything on the first row so we moved like 10m backwards.
I was really gutted. As soon as Placebo started I almost couldn’t see anything
either cos it was really crowded and people were constantly pushing. So I must
say I didn’t really enjoy it this time but that’s not really the bands fault. I
was actually really pissed with Metallica about this “bridge”. My highlight was
definitely when Brian got down on his knees in front of Fiona and he played
guitar towards her and Fiona played her violin leaning over him. Amazing!
Stefan stood jamming on the Metallica bridge for a while, so thank god for
that. Also Brian saying “Dankuwel” a couple of times was super cute. At least
he knew in which part of Belgium he was! ;-)
Placebo Anyway: How was the crowd
at the Rock Werchter Festival? We know Placebo got some bad critics from the
press. What do you think about this?
Ellen VG: Haven’t they always got bad critics from the press?
Well, the crowd at Rock Werchter seemed to know all the lyrics from the songs!
I was pretty impressed about that! But it was so crowded, people were confused
about the bridge and all, so I think nobody could like give it ALL and go
completely nuts. Too bad.
Placebo Anyway: What about on
stage? Some of the critics and even fans say that he is distant from the
audience and complain that he doesn't even change the speeches before the
songs. For instance the one before One Of Kind was the same he used in 2006 and
Moscow. What are your thoughts about it?
Ellen VG: Yeah, I must agree on this one. I miss active Brian.
It feels like he doesn’t enjoy the gigs anymore, like he’s just trying to get
it over with. And yes, he says the same things before songs, but that doesn’t
really bother me. Or maybe he’s just getting old?? :-p I’m really happy about
Steve’s energy on stage, though!
Placebo Anyway: What about the set list/ lighting what is the
difference between a festival and a small venue?
Ellen VG: Haha, the lighting? Well, I remember last year in
Antwerp it was darker on stage, difficult to take a pic, cos of the lightings
they used. Also I’m glad they got rid of this curtain/window, whatever it was.
They didn’t change the setlist much, just a couple of songs. But I’m happy to
see they put “Begin the End” on the setlist now. I’m gonna see them again in
August, so I’m looking forward to enjoy this song live!
Placebo Anyway: Do you think they could change the songs more
often?
Ellen VG: No not at all. Most bands play the same setlists for a
while, right? Until they make a new album.
Placebo Anyway: Do you consider that using the same set list
in every show is a good thing or a bad thing?
I'll elaborate a bit on this some people complained that they never
change the setlist however, when they included One Of A Kind and specially
Begin The End some complained because these songs weren't played in their
country. So what do you think is the best option? Unified every concert to avoid complains or
change the songs even though people will always complain?
Ellen VG: I think Placebo should do whatever makes them feel
more comfortable on stage and with themselves. And I haven’t heard/seen “Begin
the End” played live in front of me either. So I guess I’m just lucky that I
get to see them again but I do understand why some people feel gutted.
Placebo Anyway: About the crowd.
What's your opinion on flash mobs, banners etc do you think the band won't pay
attention to them, don't care or actually appreciate them?
What about more extreme "displays of
affection" like throwing bras on stage or ask for autographs in parts of
the body?
Ellen VG: I love it! And I saw some videos with the flash mobs
and they do pay attention to them. Don’t know if they appreciate it, I think
we’ll never know what really goes on in Brian’s head at the moment. The more
extreme stuff we can do, the better. It makes it interesting for them but also
for us, right?
Placebo Anyway: And about the
cameras we all know Brian hates them. But people want their memory last forever
in a jpg format or in you tube and claim they can multi task just fine. Do you think they will ever be an agreement
on this matter? or a reconciliation between Molko and his fans?
Ellen VG: I also think it’s a weird sight from a stage when you
see all those people holding up a phone. It makes you think you’re playing for
smartphones instead of people. But of course people want to take pics. I also
heard about a band who asks the crowd to put away their phones during the
concert and then they play one song over again so everyone can take pics. Can’t
remember which band that was, but maybe that’s a good idea? I would be fine
with it!
Placebo Anyway: We know this is
not your first Placebo gig. Comparing old gigs with this tour regarding the
energy of the show ( since is one of the things that has been critized about
the band) do you see any difference?
Ellen VG: Well, I saw them for the 1st time last
year. So I don’t notice any difference between this year and last year. I do
notice it when I watch gigs on YouTube from before. And it makes me really sad!
Wish they’d perform like before, with so much energy and they were really
interacting with the crowd!
Placebo Anyway: Do you go the
other gig in Belgium or maybe France or Germany?
Ellen VG: No, I didn’t go to Les Ardentes in Belgium cos I had
to work. But I bought tickets for Rock’n Heim and Mรถnchengladbach.
Placebo Anyway: Did you meet
someone of Placebo?
Ellen VG: Yes, I met them at the airport!
Placebo Anyway: Wow! You met
Placebo, amazing! This is an honor and
you are a really lucky person Could you
tell us a bit about it? How was the experience for you?
Ellen VG: Hahaha, long story, which you can find on my Twitter.
To make a long story short. I was really nervous about it and I couldn’t stop
shaking when I met Nick. He was the first one I met. I was still very nervous
when I noticed Steve but he walked over to me with a HUGE smile, shook my hand
and said “Hi, how are you”. He made me feel so comfortable, I talked to him for
a couple of minutes. Amazing to have a small talk with one of your idols! And
he’s SOOOO sweet! But after meeting him I felt more relaxed, although I knew
the bigger problem was approaching…Brian! Hahaha!
Unfortunately Brian and Stefan arrived together and they had a bodyguard with them. I asked my friend to take sneaky pics but their bodyguard noticed it and told her off! Brian was really annoyed, but I still wanted to ask him for an autograph on a photo I printed out. He said to me: “ok, very quickly then, cos I have a plane to catch!”and he signed his face! Erm, yeah, why would you even put your signature on your face???? He was also very arrogant towards my colleague at check-in. Afterwards I also ran over to Stefan for an autograph, he smiled at me and said “of course”. He was actually really friendly and relaxed!
Unfortunately Brian and Stefan arrived together and they had a bodyguard with them. I asked my friend to take sneaky pics but their bodyguard noticed it and told her off! Brian was really annoyed, but I still wanted to ask him for an autograph on a photo I printed out. He said to me: “ok, very quickly then, cos I have a plane to catch!”and he signed his face! Erm, yeah, why would you even put your signature on your face???? He was also very arrogant towards my colleague at check-in. Afterwards I also ran over to Stefan for an autograph, he smiled at me and said “of course”. He was actually really friendly and relaxed!
Placebo Anyway: Meeting Brian.
There has been a lot of talking among "Placeboers" regarding Brian's
behavior towards fans. What can you tell us about it from your experience?
Ellen VG: Apparently not only towards fans. My colleague at
check-in felt shocked the entire day about how he treated her! She also told me
she can’t understand why I’m a fan of such an arrogant idiot. I guess love is
blind, right? I also noticed him arguing with my colleague so that made me even
more anxious about going over to him to say hi and ask for an autograph but I
did it and yeah, it felt like he didn’t show respect whatsoever and he’s the
most important guy at the airport.
Placebo Anyway: People dream about
meeting their idol, Brian Molko in this case, but at the same time they are
often afraid of not being interesting enough or good enough. What would you advice someone who would meet
any of the members of Placebo.
And after this meeting has something changed inside of
you regarding the music, your perception of the band or Brian?
Ellen VG: Yes, and that’s probably what Brian thinks cos he’s
more important, right? ;-) Haha. I’d say go for it and talk to him, but keep in
mind Brian can be very arrogant and might even break your heart with his
behavior. It took me a couple of days to get over it. I couldn’t even watch the
livestreams afterwards cos I felt hurt. But lots of celebrities are like this.
After all I’m just here for the music and I was totally enchanted by Steve!!!!
Regarding Steve, Stefan and Nick, there’s no warning advice, just go for it!
Steve’s a GREAT hugger! ;-) The only thing that changed is my opinion about
Brian, I will try and annoy him even more now and I can’t take him seriously
anymore, after all he didn’t show respect towards me or my colleagues either!
Placebo Anyway: Let us speak about
Placebo fans. What do you think about “Soulmates Never Die”. Does it really
exist for Placebo fans?
Ellen VG: I don’t know, I think they lost some fans because of
Brian’s behavior.
Placebo Anyway: Do you think
Placebo fans are criticize the band too much? After all some people have even complained
about Molko's clothes on stage.
Ellen VG: Criticism is good, everyone is allowed to speak their
mind and we didn’t hand in our ears, eyes and brains when we became a fan,
right?
Placebo Anyway: What do the band
and their music personally mean to you?
Ellen VG: A way to escape daily stress for a while + their music
also inspired me to pick up a guitar. But I don’t play any of their songs, I’m
trying to create my own style, which leans more towards Flamenco. ;-)
Placebo Anyway : Which is your favorite?
Album and why?
Ellen VG: Battle for the Sun, because it’s like a heavy rock
record. ;-)
Placebo Anyway: Do you have a favorite song of the last album and also from the other ones?
Ellen VG: Yes, Begin the End is my favorite. I absolutely adore
those guitar riffs! Amazing!
My other favorite songs are Kings of Medicine and Blind.
Placebo Anyway: Define Placebo to
someone who never heard about the band.
Ellen VG: Hahaha, people at work actually asked me cos they
never heard about them and I said: a rock band with a weird lead singer but
with amazing songs.
Placebo Anyway: Define now Brian, Stefan and Steve in three words
dedicated to your Placebo soulmates.
Ellen VG: Inconceivable, quiet & crazy :-D
Placebo Anyway: 20 years to go, 20
years to know. The band's 20th anniversary. What do you expect. For the band
for the next 20 years?
Ellen VG: Hopefully they’ll continue and will still be playing
at age 70, like the Rolling Stones, cos they are this epic! But I do hope Brian
will become more relaxed and less arrogant.
Placebo Anyway: Thank you for the
interview. It was a great pleasure doing this interview with you!
Ellen VG: The pleasure is all mine! ;-)
LLL Placebo European Tour Special 2014 – Interview with soulmate Ellen VG from Belgium
in collaboration with Placebo Anyway.
Interview by SusanneCk
& Diana E.T.Foghin. Organization
Mary Scott.
