Public Image Limited - Birmingham, 02 Academy 15th December 2009.
Exclusive reviews by Jon Good, Martin Doubtfire, Wayne Spencer and Jon Edwards
Pictures by Jon Good

Review One: How could you miss the opening gig of this tour, the 1st gig for 17 years as John reminded us and also added a promise that we would get our money’s worth and we did. It was a quiet entrance on the stage by John Lydons standards and also an early one, the band took the stage at 8.50pm and that wasn’t because John wanted an early night it was so the band could fit a full 2 hour set in; John Rambo took his usual position to the left of the stage and you couldn’t have asked for a better start, straight into the classic self titled Public Image, followed by several of the Metal Box tracks, Careering, Poptones, Albatross plus This is not a Love Song. John found time between these tracks when his trousers came loose to make a comment that brought laughter throughout the crowd; commenting that he couldn’t understand why his trousers were loose given all the butter he had eaten. He also found time between tracks to swig down his favourite Martell Brandy, which was half empty by the end of the gig. John commented several times about how quiet the crowd was but once the first few notes of Death Disco were heard and the song was recognised there was a feast of noise and movement; there was no mention of the Pistols throughout the set apart from a little dig at Malcolm McClaren - he can never resist it. After an hour and 40 minutes the main set came to an end with a very powerful Religion, John then left the stage as he so kindly put it “he needed a cigarette.” The band returned to the stage with a song his solo single Sun, this was followed by a couple of classics, Rise and Open Up. The whole set exceeded 2 hours and was musically without a blemish with John not letting us down with his humour and massive stage presence. Although John got all the focus we cannot forget the rest of the band; fantastic musicians using various strange looking guitars and other weird instruments to make the unique PIL sound. If the rest of the gigs are as good as the opener you are in for a treat. Enjoy. Review by Jon Good
Review Two: This will be a unique experience, not for me, but for John Lydon, for this will be the first time that his Public Image Limited will play, perhaps as they should do, and that is without the monkey on his back that was, Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols. Previous PIL shows were rammed with studded jackets, Mohicans and Sex Pistols t-shirts, and Lydon realised this and rewarded their faith in him with the songs they had come to hear, all be it sometimes, piano versions of Anarchy in the Uk, but most PIL live shows would always feature a Pistols cover somewhere in the set. But tonight, with the Pistols reformed and behind him, all he has is the songs written under the name Public Image Limited, and as it turns out under his own name too, but tonight is perhaps the foundations of John Lydon and Public Image Limited and not Johnny Rotten's Review Show, and for me, just a little bit PIL mad, this dilemma keeps me company on the 210 mile drive, through the M25's best traffic to see the first PIL show in 17 years. During the support bands turn I stare past them at the huge PIL logo hanging behind the stage, the same logo also adorns the bass drum, piles of electronic machinery and guitars either side of the drums, and I start to feel more than like an little kid, I don't mind admitting I am excited, it's 10 days before Christmas after all, but just can't let myself go, as this is the man that wrote 'Metal Box' and 'Flowers of Romance' arguably two of the finest LP's ever, whatever happens, please don't ruin the myth. The more practical side of the coin is that 10 days before Christmas, in a recession, at £40 a ticket and the chance of £20 t-shirts, £5 posters and official live bootlegs of the gig available at £20, it is testament to the man that the collectors and fans alike are out in force pulling the t-shirts over the ones worn to the gig, to give the ultimate allegiance, the tour t shirt, worn, before the tour has even played a note. So, money spent, what do we get, a PIL press release promises a lengthy and varied set, and a few surprises - it's the promise of surprises that has me nervous. Surprise One is that the bands intro music is not some doom laden classical piece but John Lydons last solo recoding Rabbit. The stage lights up and 'original' PIL members Lu Edmonds and Bruce Smith take their positions, new bassist Bruce Firth, in kilt and bearing a striking resemblance to Rick Stein picks up his bass. On bounds Mr Lydon, announces that "whether it 17 years or 17 minutes it's gonna be fucking wonderful", the bass intro of Public Image starts and we're off. There is no time to waste, Public Image out the way and were into Careering and then This is not a Love Song, each song blending seamlessly into each other. This is one very well rehearsed show. Smith is a fantastic drummer, keeping the beat going whilst hitting those little feels making the songs his own; Firth too, is a brilliant bass player, his performance is more hired professional and keeps his bass part to identical copies of the original, no mean feat considering the previous occupiers of his chosen instrument. This superb rhythm section affords Edmonds, via assorted guitars, banjo's, ukulele's and mandarins, to scratch away almost free form, emulating and expanding on that fantastic Levene sound, in short, it sounds wonderful. All this allows Lydon to do what he does, and he spits, clears his nose, wails, whines and screams his way through the set; however surprise number two is how great he does this - the Lydon voice is stronger than I have ever heard. He is on form with the usual crowd participation; he explains what some songs are about and is relaxed and obviously enjoying himself. The set is by no means without the promised surprises either; it will come as no shock to anyone that owns one of many 'Greatest hits' LPs that the set relies heavily on this, plus from First Issue, Public Image, Annalisa and Religion, and Metal Box's Careering, Memories, Poptones and an absolute storming version of Swan Lake "'that's about my dead mum, how dare you applaud that" smirks Lydon, knowing that he's doing well and audience are loving it, all fears allayed. What no one probably expected though was the songs outside the 'Greatest Hits'. A deep voiced Lydon ripping through Albatross, yes you read that right, Albatross, and equally surprising The Suit. From Flowers of Romance we get, the title track and Lydon's voice is tested to it's limit with a superb Four Enclosed Walls. Keep Banging the Door runs into Chant which in turn becomes Black Rubber Bag. Almost in a sense of Lydon doing a PIL jive bunny, but it proves, for me, to be the set's up tempo highlight. The biggest surprise though are the songs, not recorded as PIL, but as John Lydon. We get a perfect Psychos Path mixing it side by side with a brilliant take on Warrior and equally fantastic sounding Disappointed; hell, we even get Tie me to the Length of That. After a little over two hours on stage it's bye bye, and the promise of "if you want more you'd better let us fucking know and scream for it." The encore is perhaps the biggest surprise of the night. Before the band take the stage I had thought of several songs not played; 'Seattle, Don't ask me, Cruel, The Body, Home, Round, and the list goes on... but opening number is 'Sun', "A folksy shindig" according to Lydon. This is followed by Rise which in turn crashes into Open Up and it's over. Close to two and a half hours on stage, it's testament to the career and back catalogue of the man that he leaves a lot out, all be it, later material yet still has a 'hits' laden set. He astounds in his choice of LP tracks and odd songs for the purists, or if you prefer geeks, like me. It sounds better than ever, and any fear I had that this PIL would ruin the legacy of the PIL's before have gone. This is perhaps the best PIL there has been, it certainly gives the Lydon, Levene, Wobble PIL a run for its money. My only hope now is that with the monkey off his back, Lydon will continue and record again, indeed he finally has got rid of that Albatross around his neck. Review by Martin Doubtfire
Review Three: PiL's first live gig in 17 years was always destined to be an instant legendary "I was there" night, and what a night it proved to be. This was my first visit to the new Birmingham Academy, which only opened in September on the site of the former Dome nightclub on Bristol Street. I'd been to the previous Academy in Dale End quite a few times, including the Pistols stunning and very, very hot gig in summer 2008. Tonight was the polar opposite in weather. A bitterly cold night in the heart of Birmingham as the faithful arrived to welcome back PiL for the first gig since playing Buffalo, USA on 18th September 1992. The feeling of expectation filled the air as we all gradually thawed out inside. Something was coming our way. Something that we knew would be remembered. Lu Edmonds walked by me in the crowd, minutes later he was on stage, preparing, no doubt anticipating a great night like the rest of us. They didn't keep us waiting long. Music, smoke, where are they, where are they, ah, here they come. Lu, Bruce Smith back on drums, new member Scott Firth on bass, and the immortal ever youthful John. A blistering version of Public Image filled the space. Memories of the newspaper cover brought right up to date in 2009. John mentioned 17 years, 17 minutes. It felt like they'd never been away. Brilliant right from the start. The audience fell under the hypnotic swirl of the sounds, some dancing, most staring, swaying, falling in love again with the music that has no time limits, no restrictions, no rules and regulations. Poptones, Careering, Albatross, all incredible versions through the night. The outside cold was forgotten. The outside world didn't exist. All that mattered were these moments. Songs we've played over and over, brought back to life in a brilliant kaleidoscope of sounds, emotions, intellect, anger, beauty. Flowers of Romance, Memories, This Is Not A Love Song. All brilliant. Death Disco digs deep into the soul. John dragging the thoughts of his late mother to the surface in his most personal and moving song. Channeling his emotions, sharing with us all his deepest feelings. Annalisa leaves us breathless. As biting and sharp as when we heard it on 'First Issue'. Who says these are over 30 years old? Feels like they've just been conceived. The basslines as ever, rumbling deeper than anyone. The floor shaking, the balcony above rattling, the walls vibrating. The music penetrating everyone there, and through the fabric of the building itself. Religion was stunning. There is a church right next to the venue, St Catherine’s Roman Catholic. The sounds would have almost shattered the stained glass windows. Saying more to me than any sermon could. Warrior was another highlight. It sounds better now than it did on first release. In this setting it took on a whole new life of it's own. Rise reaches new heights, the crowd at fever pitch, singing along to every word. Reaching up with outstretched arms. Hours have passed, but time has no meaning here. Years have passed, but these songs sound better than ever. John is on top form throughout. Scolding us, laughing with us, and at the end thanking the Midlands for this first night. He seems genuinely moved by the great reception. And then it's over. But even long after they've left the stage the music is still swimming around in our heads. Instant CDs are available afterwards. A great idea. If only all bands did this. Out into the cold, the bootleg T shirts scattered across the pavement. An incredible night. One I'll never forget. This was history. This was relevant. PiL are needed more today than ever. The band that should never have gone away are back. Anyone going to see these pre Christmas gigs can expect a real experience. Meaningful, thoughtful, hypnotic. PiL are back where they belong. A truly great return. Trivia note - on first arrival at the venue the date above Public Image Ltd's name outside read 14th December 2009. It was later changed to 15th December. Bringing them up to date for now. Review by Wayne Spencer
Review Four: Well, when this tour was announced, I knew I had to be there, and after a thoroughly shite end to the year through many reasons, I decided this would be the night to cheer me up, and it worked! John Lydon has always been an icon, and the chance to see the man near my home town and with PIL was an opportunity I wasnt going to waste. 17 years since they last performed, it didn't matter, there was no Wobble or Levene, we had the great drums of BRUCE SMITH and guitar work of LU EDMONDS with new boy SCOTT FIRTH keeping a faithful bass sound. The into for the band was John's RABBIT SONG. Opening with PUBLIC IMAGE - somewhat missing a verse as Lydon's trousers were falling down!!! He then remarked "All this Butter and I've still lost weight!" Next was a body blow of classics, CAREERING, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, POPTONES - which sounded heavenly, I just got lost in it's groove. ALBATROSS was killer, John's voice holding up really well, although he does have a music stand with his book of words in front of him.........this I dont like, but I suppose there are a lot of spralling lyrics to remember here. Next came TIE ME TO THE LENGTH OF THAT - a great version of an underrated song. "Thank you for taking the time to listen to these songs, each one means something important" says Lydon, before THE SUIT.....then came an awesome, untoppable rendition of DEATH DISCO, you could really see the pain in John's face as he screamed thinking of his late parents. Moving. John's voice started to crack now, as he got to the Flowers of Romance album material, expertly played by the band, FOUR ENCLOSED WALLS becoming a crowd singsong, and a stunning FLOWERS OF ROMANCE, with LOU playing a banjo with a Viollin bow to get those haunting sounds. Although I have to admit the drums here I didn't think were live, as it sounded too much like the record. Now came a real treat, the song PSYCHOPATH, from John's solo album from 1997, which sounded great live and was also great to hear John's calm voice. He was really ripping his tonsils tonight, giving us what we wanted. DISAPPOINTED was done expertly, a great tune, then came WARRIOR, USLS1, UNDER THE HOUSE, BLACK RUBBER BANDS, an awe inspiring ANNALISA and RELIGION ended the show, until encores of the solo single SUN and RISE closed a brilliant night. Well, If they do tour again and near you, GO SEE THEM............Thank you John, you made my year.......... and also great was the nice touch where you could buy the cd set of the gig straight after, with a dvd interview too!!! Review by Jon Edwards
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