Placebo, the British band weaving alt-rock with glam-rock vibes since the mid-‘90s, crafts emotional lyrics and melodies that grab you deep. Their gig on June 14, 2015, at Pinkpop in Landgraaf, Netherlands, was all about nailing that balance between drama and energy. Brian Molko sang with such fire, his voice gritty and fierce one moment, soft and aching the next, acting as the heart of the set. Stefan Olsdal and Nick Gavrilovic’s guitars built textures both sharp and melodic, while Fiona Brice and Steve Forrest’s rhythms added depth. The open stage’s acoustics made the sound huge, and the lights, shifting from blue to red, played up the mood swings. The crowd, singing and swaying, felt like they were part of this musical story.