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Gig review: Public Image Ltd
December 16 @ O2 Academy Leeds
HE'S had plenty of imitators over the last 30 years but there really is only one John Lydon.
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Now back fronting Public Image Ltd, the post-pretty-much-everything group that he founded after the messy demise of the Sex Pistols in 1978, he seems to have relit his creative fire after a long hiatus.
Flanked by a sturdy rhythm section of Bruce Smith and Scott Firth, and the versatile Lu Edmonds on guitar, keyboards and a variety of unusual instruments such as the bouzouk and electric saz, we're promised a two-hour set full of "proper music for proper people".
The opening sequence is certainly stunning. A compelling Public Image is followed by the dubby delights of Careering and Poptones from PiL's 1979 landmark album Metal Box and the band's biggest hit, This Is Not a Love Song.
In between numbers Lydon tries to lubricate his tattered vocal cords by gargling theatrically then spitting it out. "Brandy versus Chloraseptic – I will give them both a go," he says with a throaty chuckle.
By Trials and Tribulations he's whipped himself into a emotional maelstrom. "That was a happy f***ing tune about being born," he observes sardonically afterwards. "Pretty good stuff. My Dad didn't think so – may he rest in peace."
Death Disco burns with a similar intensity before the lighter tribal beats of The Flowers of Romance kick in.
In Warrior Lydon turns his ire on British politicians. "Guy Fawkes was a warrior!" he proclaims. "I'm a warrior! Leeds warriors!"
A set this long inevitably has its lulls but there's no doubting the anger behind the diatribe Religion.
By contrast the encore is almost jolly. In The Sun skips along on a tuneful melodica line, while Rise is simply epic, with Lydon inviting the audience to join in its chorus of "Anger is an energy".
There's a great deal of life in the old Rotten one yet.
DUNCAN SEAMAN
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Friday 25 May 2012
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