Public Image Ltd at Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn

John Lydon

Following the breakup of the Sex Pistols in 1978, vocalist John Lydon chose to move his music in a radically different direction and formed an experimental dub/rock band in London, England. Lydon named the band Public Image after the novel The Public Image; the "Ltd" was added several months later. Public Image Ltd (often abbreviated as PiL) generated immediate interest despite many personnel changes (Lydon remained the only constant member) through eight albums until the band split in 1992. In 2009, Lydon assembled a revamped lineup to continue the legacy of Public Image Ltd. Since then, PiL has consisted of Lydon, guitarist Lu Edmonds, bassist Scott Firth, and drummer Bruce Smith; they are the longest stable line-up in the band's history. PiL's 10th and most recent studio album is 2015's What the World Needs Now.... On July 20, 2018, PiL released The Public Image Is Rotten (Songs From The Heart), a box set consisting of five cds and two dvds with B-sides, rarities, radio sessions, live concerts, 12" mixes and promo videos. A documentary film, The Public Image Is Rotten, opened in theaters on September 14, 2018.

PiL celebrates its 40th anniversary with the current tour, and the retrospective concert at Brooklyn Steel tonight featured at least one song from every PiL album, including even "Open Up," Lydon’s rather obscure 1993 collaboration with Leftfield. Lydon, wearing a raincoat throughout the set, snarled, muttered and yelped lyrics in a manner almost like slam poetry. Edmonds reverbed and distorted guitar leads as Firth and Smith thumped hard, thick grooves. Without escalating chords, tones or crescendos, the rhythm section immersed itself into simple and repetitious dub reggae bass lines and drum patterns for lengthy periods, creating a deeply hypnotic effect. Throughout the 90-minute performance, however, Lydon was the centerpiece, although at times he was the least interesting contributor on the stage.

Visit Public Image Ltd at www.pilofficial.com.

Setlist:

1. Deeper Water
2. Memories
3. The Body
4. Disappointed
5. Warrior
6. The One
7. Corporate
8. Death Disco
9. Cruel
10. I'm Not Satisfied
11. Flowers of Romance
12. This Is Not A Love Song
13. Rise

Encore:

1. Public Image
2. Open Up (Leftfield cover)
3. Shoom