Public Image Ltd Newcastle Academy 6th August 2012
At last, I finally “got” what Public Image Ltd are about. Last night was the first time I’ve seen Lydon’s band for many years. Marie and I went to one of their first live performances at Manchester Belle Vue in 1979. At the time the difference between PIL and Lydon’s previous band, The Sex Pistols, was just too great for me and many people in the audience. I couldn’t believe or understand the noise that they were making and actually wondered if they were serious, or whether it was some sort of huge joke. I saw them a couple of times after that at gigs at Newcastle City Hall, and although each time I enjoyed the experience, I still remained unconvinced. Until last night. I went along on spec, deciding to go to the gig at the last minute. I was dropping Laura off in Newcastle, and decided to make the most of my trip through. I’d read reviews of recent PIL gigs, which have all been very positive. Now I know why. The band were just great last night in Newcastle Academy. I arrived just in time for the show, and scored a ticket outside for £20, making a small saving on the £25 face value (result!). The place was packed full of oldish punky types, and everyone was ready and up for the occasion. There was no support act, and the band came on stage around 8.45pm, opening with This is not a love song, which set the tone for the night. Loud, throbbing beats, Lydon’s impassioned vocals, and jangling, discordant guitars. The band were so together and so very tight. Every song was epic, and Lydon sang his heart out. At one point he told us “I’m like a fine wine, I mature with age” and he wasn’t far wrong. His voice was amazing, and so strong. Last time I saw him was fronting the reformed Sex Pistols at Brixton Academy, and although that was a great gig, at times Lydon seemed to be treating it all as a bit of fun. Not last night, he was deadly serious as he spat out the vocals, leered at us, and told us “Friends are for forgiving, Politicians are for killing”. Very dark, very intense, very passionate and much much better than I imagined or could have hoped for. Some bands can reinvent themselves and come back even better. Setlist: This is not a love song; Deeper water; Albatross; Reggie Song; Disappointed; Warrior; Flowers of romance; Lollipop Opera; Death Disco; Bags / Chant; Religion. Encore: Out of the Woods; One drop; Rise (left during Rise, via the chip shop, as I had an early start in the morning to pick Laura up first thing; I suspect there may have been one more song).
7 Aug
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Posted by hucks on August 10, 2012 at 9:54 pm
There was one more song; a fine version of Open Up (as originally performed with Leftfield). Sounds like you enjoyed the night just as much as I did!