For those of us living in Kent, a decent gig in the area is a rare and beautiful thing. London's only up the road really, so we can't complain, but on this day, an equally rare thing, being that it is a warm dry sunny Saturday, we have the likes of James & Echo & The Bunnymen in Margate, and a mere 25 odd miles to the West, Public Image Limited, whilst these two events may have stolen bodies from each other, we know where the smartest people went.

If you look out from the stage, on the right is the river Medway, on the left Rochester Cathedral and slap bang in front of you is the Norman built keep that is Rochester Castle, and it's this beautiful old Kentish Flagstone structure whose grounds are host to that most maddest of dogs and Englishman, a certain John Lydon, and his latest version of Public Image Limited, who in my humble view, are the single most important and greatest of all bands ever...ok?

The  light is still fading when they stumble on, and those with either impeccable taste or want to enjoy the novelty of such a thing happening in Kent crowd around the stage.

"This is PIL, and for starters you can get rid of that monstrosity" as Lydon smiles and gestures toward his host, the castle. We all laugh, 'cos after all this is Lydon/Rotten, part-time theatrical character, but full-time best front man ever...ok?

Assuming you have accessed this review via the (most excellent) 'God Save the Sex Pistols' website, and assuming you to be reasonably if not very well acquainted with one or more of the many PIL live shows so far, I won't give you a run through of what was played and how it sounded; there were no surprises, the band were tight, the sound was near perfect, and anyone that bought - and more fool you if you didn't - the 'This is PIL' CD that has the excellent Heaven gig DVD with it, will be more than familiar with the songs played. Tonight's show was a much shorter set, coming in at a mere (!!) one and a half hours.

It's perhaps what isn't played that is more interesting and surprising, of PIL's 15 single releases, there are only 6 played tonight; there is no Public Image, no Flowers of Romance, no Home, and bar Warrior not much played that was released after that, although latest single One Drop does get aired, and to a warm cheer from the crowd.

Greatest hits set? Not in the slightest, 'First Issue' is all but ignored, Religion apart; "There's only one thing I hate more than politicians and that's clergy" is the cute introduction to the set highlight, and the familiar heavy and loud bass certainly shakes the stained glass windows of the adjacent Cathedral.

Careering, Memories and Poptones from 'Metal Box' are all no no's too. The superb 3rd LP 'Flowers Of Romance' completely ignored, in fact pretty much every LP thereafter ignored, although Bags from 'Album' does get aired, if only to merge into a storming Chant midway through it. A couple of tracks from the latest LP and you would think that they only released 4 or 5 LP's in their entire time.

Standing back, and taking into account all I've said, how many bands of 30+ years can go out, ignore most of their singles and songs that you would assume to be their best or favourites, play, very well received, tracks from their latest LP, throw in a couple of random tracks from their back catalogue and yet still have nothing but utter respect, admiration, and - long after they have left the stage, with roadies on it dismantling the mike stands etc - still have over 1000 people screaming for more?

Lydon always was and always will be an enigma. His music will be his legacy - his music, at it's very best is a work of art; post-punk, punk or avant garde, call it what you want, the man has delivered. Live PIL remain a superb, entertaining, sometimes surreal but always stunning act. There's no smoke, no tricks, no mirrors, no lightshows or giant screens playing trendy images, no intro tape, no introduction, no gimmicks. As the man says when he walks onto the stage; "This is PIL", and all I can say is thank sod in heaven that there is. OK?!

Review by Martin Doubtfire