Review by Phil Singleton

I'd enjoyed PiL's Manchester show last December - it was a triumphant performance. I had my fingers crossed for another night of PiL pleasure down the M62 in Liverpool.

An interesting prelude took place outside. Protesters were handing out leaflets urging John not to take PiL to Israel.

Inside, the show was packed, as near as damn it full. I’ve seen many shows at the Liverpool Academy and always been impressed with the sound; clear yet powerful.  Likewise, the atmosphere is invariably good. Scousers provide a positive audience; if they don’t like you, they won’t go in the first place.

I don’t wish to repeat my Manchester PiL review, but the musicians John has assembled are extraordinary, and multi-talented. They bring alive songs from throughout the PiL (and John’s solo) catalogue with a Technicolor glow. The use of varying instruments, including keyboards and computer, mean no songs are out of bounds.

The show is a lengthy 2 hours 10 minutes, yet never does it drag.  A number of songs are extended in length. This works particularly with Religion which John handles well, walking a tricky tightrope over the additional subject matter included in the song. The extended Flowers Of Romance is also marvellous, but I still love the original 2 minute straight to the point version; it would be great to have a short, sparse version as an encore as well!

The highlights of the show for me were the modern takes of Disappointed and Rise - both allow a coming together of audience and band, and are cleverly placed towards the end of the set, lifting the crowd for the final surge.

John seemed very relaxed. PiL is suiting him; he was genuinely happy up on stage, presumably with both PiL’s performance and the crowd response.  Now, what we need is some new PiL material. These boys can surely come up with the goods; it’ll be fascinating to hear what a new incarnation of PiL has to offer.