NME.Com, December 22nd, 2009
© 2009 NME
Public Image Ltd
Brixton, Academy, December 21 2009
John Lydon brings Public Image Ltd to London
Frontman offers fans who couldn't make it free entry to next gig
John Lydon brought his reunited Public Image Ltd. to the O2 Academy Brixton in his hometown of London last night (December 21), playing an epic set.
The frontman led bandmembers Bruce Smith, Lu Edmonds and Scott Firth through songs spanning their career, including 'Albatross' and 'Death Disco' from their classic 1979 album 'Metal Box'.
As he arrived onstage Lydon, wearing tartan trousers covered by a black jacket, announced that fans who could not make the gig because of icy conditions could use their ticket for entry at the band's Camden Electric Ballroom show tomorrow (23).
He introduced the band as "proper music for proper people", before opening with 'Public Image'.
Later in the set he replied to a crowdmember who had been making song requests. "We don't do requests we just play fucking everything," he said, "so have some patience."
Later, before playing main set-closer 'Religion II', Lydon demanded that the sound engineer increased the bass levels. "I would like to see bass in small increments until I see walls collapse and ears bleed," he said. The engineer obliged until the bass ws so high audience members could feel their chests pounding.
The band play the Electric Ballroom tonight as well as tomorrow – the final night of their reunion tour – for which unused tickets from last night are valid.
Public Image Ltd. played:
'Public Image'
'Careering'
'This Not A Love Song'
'Poptones'
'Albatross'
'Tie Me To The Length Of That'
'The Suit'
'Death Disco'
'Four Enclosed Walls'
'Flowers Of Roma'
'USLS 1'
'Psychopath'
'Disappointed'
'Warrior'
'Banging The Door'
'Chant'
'Bags'
'Annalisa'
'Memories'
'Religion II'
'Sun'
'Rise'
'Open Up'
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