Placebo postpone their remaining UK and Ireland dates

Placebo have to postpone concerts again. This time, it concerns the remaining UK and Ireland dates of their 2022 headline tour through Europe and the United Kingdom. Initially, the concert on Friday (2 December 2022) in Newcastle was postponed at short notice, due to vocal problems of singer Brian Molko:

“[…] I have been gradually losing my voice this past week since our second concert at O2 Academy Brixton. I have kept on keeping on, despite my doctor’s advice to go home & shut up for a week, as it was important to me not to disappoint any of you who have paid good money and travelled, often from afar, to see us play. I am now in a position however, that if I continue to ignore my doctor’s advice, I will begin to run the risk of damaging my voice, perhaps permanently. And that is a risk I am unfortunately not prepared to take. So it is with a very heavy heart that I must announce that I will be unable to perform the Newcastle show tomorrow night. It pains me to write these words. We’ve had such a wonderful tour so far, with fantastic audiences & so much love in the room. But I am afraid that now I must protect my art and my livelihood. Myself & the band are crestfallen, as I’m sure you all are too, but I am no spring chicken anymore & I am quite unwell. I’d like to thank you all in advance for your understanding and express my gratitude for gifting us such exciting concerts each night. Here’s to a swift recovery.”

– Brian Molko

Despite “hoping to continue the tour in Glasgow on Saturday”, also this concert in Scotland had to be postponed at short notice:

“We are so very sorry to say that, following a doctor’s consultation this evening, Brian has been advised that he is not fit to perform tomorrow night at the 02 Academy in Glasgow. This follows the postponement of the Newcastle City Hall show last night. ‘We are just beyond devastated to lose another show on this tour and feel so frustrated and disappointed by this latest setback and especially for you, the fans, who’ve waited so long for these shows. We will do our very best to reschedule asap’. Brian continues to be under doctor’s supervision but is hopeful that he will be able to perform in Dublin on Monday evening. […] Thank you for your understanding.”

– Placebo

Shortly thereafter, all remaining tour dates in the UK and Ireland were postponed:

“It is with a very heavy heart, great sadness and regret that we have to announce the postponement of our remaining UK and Ireland dates – these being: December 5th Dublin 3 Arena. December 7th Cambridge Corn Exchange. December 8th Birmingham 02 Academy. We had sincerely and perhaps optimistically hoped that, with some rest, Brian would make a speedier recovery but this has unfortunately not been the case. Brian saw a doctor again this morning and has been advised that he is not fit to continue the tour and needs complete rest. ‘We are so disappointed that we can’t complete our UK run but please rest assured that we will do everything we can to get these shows rescheduled as soon as possible. We are so grateful for the wonderful support you have shown us on this tour and for your good wishes and understanding during this difficult period. We are so sorry that we can’t complete the remaining shows, we tried! We will be back soon. Thank you all for your patience and understanding’.”

– Placebo

Throughout the summer, the duo had to cancel several shows. Two shows – in Romania’s capital Bucharest and in North Macedonia’s capital Skopje – were cancelled in July 2022, due to “an outbreak of COVID within the Placebo band and crew”. It is planned to catch up on these shows. A few days later, a third show – in Thessaloniki, Greece – was cancelled “due to illness within the band and subsequent doctor’s advice”. There aren’t any plans to catch up on this show. A month later, two gigs – in Avenches, Switzerland and, again, Romania’s capital Bucharest – were cancelled “due to serious family illness”, with Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal hoping to “reschedule and play for you again in the near future”. In September 2022, two days before the start of their North American tour, Placebo announced that it had to be postponed, due to “unprecedented visa and logistical issues beyond our control”. Also the concert in Mexico, which was scheduled to take place in the middle of the North American tour, was postponed. New dates for the North American tour and the concert in Mexico have been announced in the meantime.

Regarding the postponed concerts in the UK and Ireland, “ticket holders are advised to hang onto [their] tickets and await further information.”