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Placebo Postpone Perth Performance

In which Placebo cancel their Perth show, and we find out hella late.

 Let's backtrack a bit, back to this morning. Perth Placebo fans would've awoken with "Pure Morning" ringing in their heads, excited and potentially having a heart attack at the thought of the marvellous day that would ensue. Placebo, England's greatest band (following Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden), were in town and about to kick off their Australian tour. We were all honoured to be in their presence, even if some of us were fifty kilometres away. We were ecstatic, enthusiastic, even tipsy at the thought of it.   Now, at the same time, Brian Molko would've been up as well. He would've noticed that he wasn't feeling well, and probably informed his management. Everyone was aware that no matter how many meds he'd take, even if he took the ones he'd previously forgotten to (just let me reference), there was no way he could recover in time for the show. Perhaps he was determined to play their set, to avoid disappointing the fans. It sounds like such a precious thing to do, and is definitely something you'd expect of a band this dedicated to their music and audiences. So they continued on with the day.   Perhaps his condition worsened. I hope not. But regardless, by the time it was 5:30pm, there was a queue of eager concert-goers at the box office. There were your die-hard fans, groupies, generally nice people just out for a good time and good music, sly photographers such as myself, and friends who were dragged along for the hell of it. I'd spent the entire day freaking the hell out; this would be the largest concert I'd ever photographed, and I wasn't sure if I was ready. It's not the photography part that made me shake, but the idea that such an inspirational band would be right before my lens, and a crowd of their biggest supporters would stand behind me. It was a privilege I wasn't sure I deserved, and I was determined to make everyone (predominantly myself) proud. I was even planning the blog post, and had documented numerous moments leading up to this moment. Who knew that waiting in line would become a post of its own?   5:45pm rolled past. Still nothing.   5:53pm. We were getting nervous. The box office was still closed and we didn't know what was happening. It was just... odd. I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to find out why this was taking so long.   Thus, I walked over to Entry A, where security guards and event staff were walking in and out of the venue. Throwing away the remains of my lunch, I headed in the direction of a dude who seemed to know what he was doing. But, as always, by the time I did this, he'd vanished into the venue. And so, also as always, I subconsciously began talking to myself... aloud. I probably wouldn't have realised if I wasn't being offered weird looks.   Returning to the line, I tried to regain my dignity and confessed to having no new information. But maybe the answer lies on the other side of the venue? I ran back out in search of answers, where a couple dozen fans were lined up. There was no staff around, but Sheraton's Four Points was blasting "Every You Every Me", which was greatly appreciated. By this point, others were also seeking information. Soon enough I stumbled upon a guy with "crowd control" credentials.   Me: Hi, uh, hello, I'm a photographer and am supposed to pick up my press pass but have no clue as to where I ought to go and the box office is closed and I'm freaking out and hELP ME.   Guy: Okay, yeah, please repeat like all of that.   Me: *Repeats all of that.*   Guy: Oh. Well you should go to the box office.   Me: *Distressed* I just came from there! It's closed! *Sighs* Look, this is my first time shooting here. I'm just really confused.   Guy: Haha, don't worry, it's my first time working here as well. I suppose go check with admin? They'll know more than I do. Just on the side of the building over there. *Points.*   Me: THANK YOU.   So I ran back to report to the team. And by team I mean the random people I'd never even met but was becoming indirectly acquainted with. One woman was saying that she was already at admin, and they told her to come to this place. Regardless, I took off to find these mystical admin creatures.   After almost getting run over by carefree cyclists, I reached my destination.

 Me: Hi, hello, my name is Skyler and I'm supposed to be picking up a photo pass but the box office is closed and I don't know what to do.   Security guard: ...I just do bag checks.   Me: *Sighs, opening backpack.*   Security: What's all this?   Me: Camera gear! I told you, I'm a p h o t o g r a p h e r.   Security: Okay, okay, go in.   And so I did. There were two ladies at the desk and a few company representatives walking around. It felt too fancy for a teenage photographer who had ketchup and rosemary stains on her worn out jeans. Regardless, I proceeded to talk to one of the staff members.   The lady was quite friendly and helpful, calling up Ticketek and asking what the hell was going on. The other woman was on the phone to someone about Placebo tickets.   Woman on phone: Yes, there are still tickets available. You can purchase them at the box office here. They're open from 5:30, so they're working now.   Me: No, they're not...   I was soon told that Ticketek has been advised, by the event organisers, to delay the box office opening. Greaaat. Time to update the team.   Unsurprisingly, nobody was pleased. We started complaining to each other, and were all bonding over our displeasure. I even met a wonderful lady who was interested in my work, and asked for my website. Unfortunately I didn't catch her name, though if she's reading this: hello! Please comment below so we (I) know who you are, you were very nice and supportive of my photography (: also I hope everything goes well with having to fly in and out for the show and with getting your tix! Hopefully they reschedule and actually stick to their arrangements, haha.   6:19pm. We've been here for ages. Sure, all of us have encountered worse scenarios and waited in longer queues. But the sheer disorganisation and miscommunication - sorry, lack of communication - was becoming oddly suspicious. Finally we get an update, in the form of papers stuck to the box office windows. To paraphrase: "Box office hours have been delayed. We apologise for any inconvenience caused." (Side note: I love how they put "any" inconvenience, as if only a couple of us may have potentially been affected by this.)  As if we needed that now, after all this freaken time! If a few of us hadn't complained in the first place, they probably wouldn't have even bothered putting that up. But regardless of what sign they put up, we still had to wait. And wait. And wait. And wait some more. 6:27pm. Any moment now. I felt the energy and excitement rush back into me as the security guards readied at the doors. Fresh from their debriefings, they were preparing to quarantine concert goers left and right. 6:32. Slight extra delay, but that's alright; it always happens. 6:39. I tried reassuring myself that everything would be fine... but deep down, I knew this wouldn't end well. The were rumours now spreading throughout the entire crowd about the show's cancellation. We were nervous. Of course we didn't want to come back another time! Who would?! 6:42. The promotional image above the venue doors change as the conspiracies become reality: "Tonight's event has been cancelled due to illness. We apologise for any inconvenience." Again with the "any inconvenience", I see. I laughed. Most people didn't. The reality hadn't sunk in. I wasn't believing it. Surely it had to be a bad dream? This was a major event for me and everyone else around me. I'd heard so many precious stories, from people flying in for the show to a man's daughter losing $900 worth of tickets. Most appeared to be truly heartbroken. You could see it in their eyes; the dreaded realisation that they wouldn't be seeing the iconic Placebo perform. After eleven years since their last tour Down Under, we were met by disappointment. We got our tickets - some easier than others - and headed back to train stations, bus ports and car parks. Now, I do want to point something out: in no way am I blaming Bryan. I wish him a speedy recovery and a restful few days. But the fact that their management and specifically the venue were so careless in their handling of the matter, leaving everyone waiting overtime to find out, is completely unacceptable. Surely they found out earlier. The way they handled themselves, failing to have an actual person say anything to the crowds, or to even address the public about their delays in time, was unprofessional and to be frowned upon. For a place that promotes "world-class" experiences, Perth Arena truly underperform. **** **** **** Well that sucked. Hopefully they reschedule the show. If anyone comes across any new information regarding the show, please comment down below. Also, tell us your story of the event. I know that I seemed to overdramatise the occasion, though if you saw the sadness in some people's eyes, you would be making extremely similar comments. Until next time, Live long and headbang, -Skyler Slate 