Over the past couple of years John Lydon has never stopped. Whether it's his question and answer shows or with Public Image Limited, he's never taken a break. He also never takes his audience for granted, perhaps this is the reason why they've remained so consistent over the years. No matter how 'in fashion' he may or not be at any one time, or how many brickbats may be thrown at him, his popularity remains undimmed. Furthermore, Manchester has never let him down, nor has John ever let down Manchester. It's a PiL kind of a town.The 'Rotten Xmas' show was the perfect remedy to those post-Christmas and pre-New Year blues. The set was a crowd pleaser, drawing largely from the first decade of PiL, although it did include three songs from What The World Needs Now, an album which has cemented itself as one of the career highlights of the band. Know How and Corporate appeared early in the show, but it was notable that the powerful and provocative Shoom closed the main set.
The historical greats were all performed with gusto, This Is Not A Love Song, World Destruction, Flowers Of Romance, and the greatest 12" single of 1989, Warrior.
To me, Christmas time is also Metal Box time. The album came out in the run-up to Christmas 1979 and it's lodged in my memory as being part of that year's holiday soundtrack. Perhaps that was why tonight, both Poptones and Death Disco had an extra resonance. It's also a joy to watch both Lu and Scott in action on these two. Perhaps the most satisfying song from the main set was Home. When I last saw PiL in July I felt this really allowed new drummer Mark to excel, and tonight his input into the song, and the set, was even more explosive. It's given even sharper definition to the songs which John seems to thrive on.
A PiL encore is always a treat. Public Image, Open Up, and Rise are hard to top as a threesome. Dynamic, loud, and perfectly epic. They could have left it at that but came back once more for a medley of Annalisa, Attack, and Chant; this combination by this line-up would make a fabulous 12 inch recording.
John was as sharp as always and enjoying the crowd banter. He blew into a hankie and quipped he was saving them for the PM. The subsequent crowd chorus of 'Keir Starmer Is A Wanker' brought an approving smile to his face. Let's face it, Rotten will always be Rotten.
Fittingly for this time of year, John mentioned the two great losses in his life over recent times, his wife Nora and his best friend Rambo. He remarked while taking a swig of his medicinal whiskey, that Rambo would not have allowed him the booze! Perhaps the void left by them both has played a part in John keeping so busy? As the group gathered together to take the applause at the end, two of the crew came on stage in Sex Pistols / GSTQ jumpers, prompting John to remark that he was the Sex Pistols.
He's certainly got a busy 2026, and there is no lack of support for John out there. Make sure you are a part of it. Pinch yourself, it's almost 50 years since the birth of the Sex Pistols, and John is still performing, delivering, and kicking up a storm outside the shitstem. Remarkable.
Review and pictures by Phil Singleton
Public Image Ltd - Warrington July 2025 >
