Review: Public Image Ltd. at The Wulfrun
After recent incarnations as a Question Time panellist, TV ad icon and Jungle competitor, former Sex Pistol John Lydon was back doing what he does best with reformed band Public Image Ltd.
The grand old man of British punk was in terrific vocal form as he treated fans to songs from throughout PiL's third of a century last night. The Wulfrun Hall was packed as Lydon opened the night with This is Not a Love Song.
Lydon seemed disappointed with the response from fans, at one stage accusing them of being shy and berating them: "Come on Wolves you're better than this" as songs from the band's first album in 20 years This is PiL failed to raise the rafters.
By the end of the night he was not disappointed as the performances of his latest single One Drop and classic song Rise raised the noise levels. PiL's guitarist Lu Edmonds was on top form despite only the day before having undergone an eye operation.
The best known songs were most appreciated by the audience, especially Death Disco, The Flowers of Romance and a blistering updated performance of Religion from the band's debut.
Other stand-outs included Albatross, Warrior and Garden of Eden. PiL closed with a lengthy version of Leftield's Open Up which got the Wulfrun floor shaking.
The strength of Lydon's voice throughout a near two-hour set belied his 56 years and as ever it was his spiky stage character that capured most of the attention.
Review by John Corser
