Evening 5 out of a crazy run of 6 concerts in 6 nights. I haven’t done this since before my accident and it is a marathon and a test of stamina for me and my carers! The final evening is Wishbone Ash and I will report on that very soon 🙂
Anyway this is something I couldn’t miss out on. Another audience with John Lydon and this time in my hometown of Sunderland in the wonderful new venue that is The Fire Station.
I go back a long way with John, to the days when he was Johnny Rotten and I first saw Sex Pistols in a pub in Whitby in 1976. He was exciting, outspoken, challenging and exhilarating then and he remains so today. That evening in Whitby, and the following year in Scarborough Penthouse club, opened up my eyes to an alternative view of music.
Then a few years later I travelled to Manchester Belle Vue to see an early performance of his new band Public Image Ltd. That evening was another revelation and shock to the system. Pistols fans in the audience did not know how to take on this new music that we were presented with that night. John was screaming over what sounded like a discordant noise. This was at the time of the first Public Image single and album.
So, John, you have been responsible for opening up my eyes to new music throughout your career. The latest version of Public Image is as uncompromising as ever. The Fire Station is completely sold out and I am sat at the back of the hall looking over a standing crowd in front of me. John stands front centre stage at a lectern, almost preacher – like, delivering his sermon to the masses.
The set comprises many familiar and favourite songs: “Albatross”, “Poptones” from the first album; the singles “This Is Not a Love Song” and “Death Disco “, and “Flowers of Romance”. The sound comes across in waves as John and his band weave a strange aural cacophony which reverberates around the hall. For the encore we are treated to the first single “Public Image” and closer “Rise”, to which we all sing along; everyone is dancing in front of me. A great night spent with a familiar face and voice in a lovely new Sunderland venue. One more night to go! Thanks to Chris for the photographs.
Setlist: Penge; Albatross; Being Stupid Again; Poptones; This Is Not a Love Song; Death Disco; The Room I Am In; Flowers of Romance; Memories; Car Chase; The Body; Warrior; Shoom.
Encore: Public Image; Open Up; Rise.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Andrew Forster on September 23, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Pedant alert! Pop Tones is off Metal Box 🙂
Posted by vintagerock on September 23, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Quite right Andrew. I should know as I have both albums. Thank you for the correction. Happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on September 25, 2023 at 2:10 pm
John Lydon is really extraordinary. I think he says that PiL is his best project and even after many years they’re always a challenge and always exciting and moving.
Great post this and delighted that your renewed acquaintance with John turned out so well.
Just a pity that PiL did not get the chance to win Eurovision for Ireland this year!
Posted by vintagerock on September 25, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Many thanks for your support Ciaran. Yes John is as uncompromising as ever. But his challenging approach is very refreshing and welcome. Happy days Peter
Posted by Public Image Ltd The Fire Station Sunderland 18 September 2023 – ryetursblog's Blog on October 16, 2023 at 4:02 pm
[…] Public Image Ltd The Fire Station Sunderland 18 September 2023 […]