Lollipop Mob Reports
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Melbourne, Palace, Australia, April 11th 2013
Amazing, brilliant, awesome were just a few of the words that came to mind walking out of the palace theatre last night. I never thought I'd have the privilege to witness John lydon live and of course the rest of public image and the show did not disappointed. John was awesome on stage and sounded great. I was in awe of him from the start to finish. The setlist was great aswell although I didn't hear a personal favorite religion, I was very happy to hear public image. I hope its not so long again for pil to come back to Australia. Thank you for a great night. Proper music for proper people.
Billy
Walking down Melbourne’s Bourke Street that cold Thursday, I noticed a few figures standing in front of the Palace Theater, where Public image Limited (PiL) was set to hold their show that night. But it was still around 4 p.m. I was pretty sure the show was still hours away. I approached the figures, several of whom were wearing t-shirts with a picture of PiL member John Lydon.
Yes, the show was at 7 p.m. No, nothing is really going on right now. “We’re dedicated” one of them said.
Nearing PiL time, the crowd began to grow restless. The spot just across the stage began to be in high demand and I had to grip the fence to stay anchored. A man wearing a leather jacket and a union jack scarf pushed his way to the front, yelling “Where’s Johnny?” And when the band did kicked off their set my first reaction was merely trying to reconcile the clashing thoughts in my head. A peculiar experience, really.
I haven’t always lived in Australia and where I was before, especially during my teenage years, a PiL album is quite hard to come by. I merely read bits and pieces of the lyrics from books about punk and the Sex Pistols. And of course lyrics of PiL and the Pistols songs, along with other “punk” songs I listened to are parts of my growing up process. They made me question many things and reluctant to trust certain authorities.
I soon found myself in the field of journalism, which allowed me to keep questioning things. Ironically, mainstream media and the writers of these lyrics can be in less agreeable terms at times. So it was only recently that I have been acquainted with the songs in full force, thanks to Youtube and updated record stores collection. And now I am actually seeing these lyrics performed live.
It was a little bit much to actually take in, but soon I was giggling at Lydon’s remarks of Melbourne needing “more Aborigines”, gawking at Lu Emonds’ string actions and dancing along with the crowd, which grew wilder with each song. I was hardly able to keep myself from being swept away by the front row folks during “One Drop” and “This is Not a Love Song”, but my efforts paid off. During the encore, I was more or less able to have more room to dance while still getting an eyeful of the band – the girl in front of me apparently has had enough of being shoved around.
Nearing the end of the set, Lydon puts his fist to his chest before swinging the arm forwards. “Heart, heart, wings of the dove.” I found out later that he has been inquired whether he was making a Nazi salute when he produced the same gesture on a certain television interview. Yes, the one that caused him of being called a “sexist” by some media afterwards.
Lydon? Sexist? Really? I recall his acquaintances with powerful female figures. Sure, those were unpleasant things to say to a woman, but to label him a sexist? Again, too much to take in a few days’ go. The show was good fun. Good music, good venue and even decent chats with former strangers afterwards.
dina indrasafitri
Brisbane, Hi-Fi, Australia, April 9th 2013
At approx 9.35pm John and the band walked onto the dimly lit Hifi Bar in West End Brisbane. Dressed in what looked like prison issued shirt and pants, the ever excited Mr. Lydon from the get go had the crowd eating out of his hands! Opening with a blistering 4 Enclosed walls, John howled his way through the track to get the crowd pumped up! A scintillating 15 min Albatross had John and the band testing their music prowess to the limit as they riffed and danced their way through a mind blowing live performance! Closely followed were...Deeper water, memories, Reggie song, Disappointed and a blistering Warrior, not before John had to duck off for a quick piss as the other members kept playing!
Not to be there shy one, John could not resist having a word about deceased former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher before thundering into an amazing Flowers Of Romance. One Drop had the younger generation singing with John and then the action really heated up with the pogo dancing with Death Disco. This is not a love song and a soaring Public Image! A 3 min delay after John and the band signed off, saw the guy's return with 3 magnificent encore performances starting with Out of the Woods, a mesmerizing Rise and Open Up closed the show with a bang!
John never missed a beat and Lou Edmonds guitar playing was clinical to say the least! It was 20 years since Pil played on these shores and from the crowds appreciation at shows end and John's ability to encourage crowd participation, one can only hope that they will tour again in the near future. John, I tip my hat to you your still rocking all these years on and you will always be the godfather of punk!
Mike Simpson
Greg is my name. Local fellow and enjoyer of PiL. I'm not a jorno or anything close, just a fan. I saw PiL in Dec 1989 at the Easts League Club in Brisbane. Great show then! The 2013 show was EXCELLENT!, funny how time moves on for the living, in 1989 I remember more beer and bad behaviour at the Easts gig than the 2013 (same crowd!) However it did not stop the PiL family having a blast and catching up with old time 'punkers' or should it be punters. The mix suited the music and the venue really did justice to all. Cosy, all hits no misses. Thanks to all who managed to put the gig and tour together, Thanks!!!!!! to John and the boys,
Greg
It was a wonderful show and evening all round. A huge thanks to all concerned for coming our way. Highlights were many but I'll stick to a few of the musical ones. A special mention must go to a stunning version of Albatross, I love how you are doing Flowers of Romance (please keep it up), and the 15-20 minutes that made up Out of the Woods and Rise were twenty of the best live minutes I've experienced.
A big thanks to the four guys for giving it your all for the two plus hours. You were all in fine form indeed, proving what John said at the end, that you do it because you love it. Finally a special thanks to Lu for giving me a few minutes after the show even though you were with friends. As I said then, thanks for your great work on the night and throughout the years.
Christopher
This is the 3rd time that I saw the live of Public Image Ltd. What first to see was "9" tour at BUDOKAN in 1989. The 2nd time was Summer Sonic Festival in 2011. When re-formation Sex Pistols is included, I Saw the John Lydon-on stage-is the 4th time. Although I don’t understand (whether it is many or whether it is few...),This time was the best anyhow! It was the wonderful live which I can declare so.
The present member who does both activities with John Lydon is three musicians, Lu Edmonds (Gt.), Scott Firth (B.), and Bruce Smith (Dr.). Touch with now in peak condition through recording of the tour of the revival in 2009 to many, and the new work for the first time in 20 years "This Is PiL.". I think that PiL should make more albums from this member.
The opening song of the live was "Four Enclosed Walls". First, what I was surprised at rather than anything is a technique of John as a vocalist. John's voice became entangled with the heavy and groovy tribal beat. A call & response was also cool!! I thought that It was wonderful with becoming a sing-along with the song from "Flowers Of Romance." John's voice changes anger, a sneer, joy and sadness into "A Shout". I was impressed very much by the voice of his rich power of expression.
PiL performed "Albatross" by which the rearrange was carried out to the length for 15 minutes or more. They save a tension firmly, without slowing. Especially I thought that Lu Edmonds's guitar performance was wonderful. Lu plays not only a guitar and also a banjo and a lute. He has the presence of the same like as John. His idea and performance style became a big driving force of PiL revival, I imagine.
Although original "Flowers of Romance" was bassless, it was updated to the version with a bass this time. Great! We moshed and sung to “Public Image” and “Rise”and more... The last song is "Open Up". It is mash-up of a machine beat and live music. So We danced!
Even now, "PUBLIC IMAGE", "METAL BOX", and "FLOWERS OF ROMANCE" are innovative. The present PiL has updated them firmly. I regard it as very wonderful.
Re-formation Sex Pistols' John Lydon seemed to be the comedian. In today's PiL, he seemed to be The Master (from the movie of Paul Thomas Anderson). John is expressing the humor of believing the surface. But he believes only music. So I love the music of Public image ltd.
ICHIRO INUKAI (COOKIE SCENE)
Tokyo, AX, Japan, April 5th 2013
This is Not a Love Song live in Tokyo (posted by fan)
Nagoya, Diamond Hall, Japan, April 2nd 2013
When show was over, the audience severally talked being excited. Their early Passion is felt’ It showed all. A voice to have convulsions, a minimum drum, song such as the incantation.
A solid guitar and base, the lump of the sound, wave of the light.
John Lydon raise both hands and instigate. Second song start, Take off a white jacket, he is light with a red shirt. With expression of the ecstasy, he cries like a dog, wave a wing like a bird. Peek-a-boo.!! He is like the mischief kid. I don't know legendary period of P.I.L. but now they are still great!!!!
Metallic guitar shines, bass howls like a heavy tank. The drumming is mechanical but hot.Sorrowful cry. I saw the pistol which he stuck into the temple. John took down both hands like a conductor and finish the song. Collect inward, spit it out and explode. It sounds from the distance of the space and time. PiL's music is full of the paradoxical hope to the future. It suggests the magnificent journey.
‘Never surrender’ John Lydon singing..
Offering romances in full blossom, John blow a kiss for all audience. He laughs with every effort, claps hands, raises hands, a call and response happens.
He calls everyone!! He talks with a whole body. Is it ironical or love? Anyway, I want to sing together. John puts both fists on the brow, and barks. An unbelievable voice is given to me. Everyone dance, someone is going to take my beer by mistake, and party was out of order really!!
This is a love song.. John said hello! hello! Hello! hello! still repeating.. Almost at the end, a riot happens, from front of arena, several people move at high speed in the dumpling..
It was like the quarrel between mice. The point unlike a mouse is multiplied weight and the acceleration. The staff controlled them. There is power to move a person in the song, but a scuffle was unsuitable there.
PiL songs have the rhythm such as native music and itself unique humor. Just a song lets person dance more than a music genre. It was shower of sound of the blessing. My mind was moved, my body was moved so intensely. When I looked up, there was Christ who clowned, laughed and sang out.
Toyokazu Mori & Noriyo Hotta
Shanghai, Mao Livehouse, China, March 31st 2013
I haven’t seen John since the Filthy Lucre tour in Australia when he was full of angst and venom. What a change in Shanghai where I caught PIL at my favourite venue – Mao Livehouse. John and PIL were fabulous, great sound, great songs and the consumate showmen. The crowd was that fantastic chinese mix of young Chinese Goth types and sad old fart expats (like me) but I think everybody enjoyed the experience from first to last. The 1 hour 45 minute set was just great and featured every song that we know and love about PIL. The sound quality was tremendous and the song list substantial. It was great to take my 18 year old to the show and see her chonk on to the tunes I have grown up with. John was funny, irritating and kind all at the same time – which is why I hold him in such high regard. A great gig and a fresh window for Shanghai! Kindest regards to the band!
Greg Watt
pix by Simon Blanchard
After being a P.I.L fan since the 1980's I was so happy to hear that P.I.L were coming to China. The first show in Beijing was in a very cozy place which was packed out. The atmosphere was amazing,even before the show, and when Johnny and the guys came out on stage the place went electric. The band are tight, and creative and Johnny was as he always is incredible. There was a great selection of P.I.L songs from early classics to the new album which is fab.
Everyone was in a fantastic mood and it was a great party. After the show ,I was in a lucky group that got to spend time with the band backstage. All the guys in the band were so warm, and happy to let us hang out with them. We stayed with the band until after 4 am chatting and feeling like one big P.I.L famil. Johnny, Rambo and the band really took care of us and were really really nice lovely fella's, which was wonderful and touching
We then flew to Shanghai for the next show, although a different crowd,the band were again amazing,and me and my wife were up front and center which was fabulous. Full of energy Johnny and the guys delivered an amazing performance... Im now in envy of the Japanese, who now have the band there !!! What a wonderful weekend Thanks Johnny, Rambo and the band
Steve and Tiffany
Open Up live in Shanghai (posted by fan)
Beijing, Yugong Yishan, China, March 30th 2013
Don't miss this video of Mr Edmonds doing the Yanger in Chaoyangmen! Watch here.
(thanks to Jady)
Special hanks to Aurelien for these shots!
pix ©Фуко, www.foukography.com
A few words and pics from the PIL concert in Beijing. As a PIL and Johnny fan for many a year and living in China for EVER, starved of good live music, a miracle happend, John and the boys got in to China and rocked Beijing. The gig was superb, the band on form and the crowd loved it. The set was not quite what I expected with an unusual set list, but John did get in a few favourites with interesting arrangements and good chat with the crowd. (no stupid uniformed nonsense as other bands have rattled on about) Just true Johnny observations, well done John.
We managed to get backstage for what I thought would be the usual quick photo and maybe an autograph or two. How wrong could I be, John and the band ( with open bar) stayed and chatted with us and around 20 other fans from midnight until gone 4am. John and his manager Rambo looked after us like proper mates! We drank, chatted and had a true and honest laugh. In fact even tour manager Bill tried to get John to leave and he was having none of it. Johns actually a fucking good bloke, no pretence or bullshit, he answered all of our questions about PIL, Pistols, personal life, butter ads, politics and even the 'dont tax my drugs' appearance on Question Time. He listened, commented and asked.... what a fella. I cannot say how well we were looked after and thanks from all of us for a truly special night.
PROPER MUSIC FOR PROPER PEOPLE, GO AND SEE PIL AND MEET JOHNNY IF YOU CAN!
Phil
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