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The band’s new album is set for release through the band’s own PiL Official imprint on August 11.

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Public Image Ltd. (PiL) will be releasing their 11th studio album and first album in 8 years, End Of World , following the sad passing of frontman John Lydon’s wife of more than 4 decades, Nora Forster, on April 5. End of World will be released on August 11, 2023 on PiL Official via Cargo UK Distribution, followed by a 38-date UK and European Tour.

Earlier this year, PiL released “Hawaii,” the most personal piece of songwriting and accompanying artwork that John Lydon has ever shared . The song is a love letter to John’s wife Nora, who sadly passed away from Alzheimer’s on Wednesday April 5. A pensive, personal yet universal love song that has resonated with many since its release in January, the song sees Lydon reflecting on their lifetime well spent and in particular one of their happiest moments together in Hawaii.

John said, “Nora loved the album, she wouldn’t have wanted us to postpone it or change any of our plans.” Previously he has said of “Hawaii,” “It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most.”

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The band began writing and recording End Of World in 2018, during their 40th anniversary tour. After the COVID lockdown, the band regrouped in the studio and, as Lydon now says “there was just this massive explosion of ideas.” The result finds PiL set to release 13 of the best tracks they have ever written. The announcement comes with the release of new single “Penge,” which Lydon has described as, “something of a mediaeval Viking epic.”

Celebrating their 40-year anniversary in 2018, the band is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time. PiL’s music and vision has earned them 5 UK Top 20 singles and 5 UK Top 20 albums. With a shifting line-up and unique sound – fusing genres ranging from rock, dance, folk, pop and dub – Lydon guided the band from their debut album First Issue in 1978 and 1979’s influential Metal Box through to 1992’s That What Is Not , before a 17 year hiatus.

Lydon reactivated PiL in 2009, touring extensively worldwide and releasing two critically acclaimed albums This is PiL in 2012 followed by their 10th studio album What The World Needs Now… in 2015, which peaked at number 29 in the official UK album charts and picked up fantastic acclaim from both press and public. In 2018 PiL celebrated their 40th anniversary with a career-spanning box set and documentary , both called The Public Image Is Rotten and a 32-date UK/Europe tour, plus dates in Japan.

PiL: UK Tour Dates 2023: Mon Sept 11 – Swansea, Patti Pavillion Tue Sept 12 – Margate, Dreamland Wed Sept 13 – Lincoln – Engine Shed Fri Sept 15 – Blackburn, King Georges Hall Sat Sept 16 – Buckley, Tivoli Mon Sept 18 – Sunderland, Fire Station Tue Sept 19 – Aberdeen, Beach Ballroom Thurs Sept 21 – Edinburgh, O2 Academy Fri Sept 22 – Manchester, O2 Ritz Sat Sept 23 – Holmfirth, Picture Dome Mon Sept 25 – Coventry, HMV Tues Sept 26 – Brighton, CHALK Thurs Sept 28 – Bristol, O2 Academy Fri Sept 29 – Torquay, Foundry Sat Sept 30 – London, The Forum

Listen to the best of PiL on Apple Music and Spotify .

MR J KILLEN

April 12, 2023 at 5:08 pm

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Public Image Ltd

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• Sep 30 2023 London, O2 Forum Kentish Town Public Image Ltd
• Sep 29 2023 Torquay, The Foundry Public Image Ltd
• Sep 28 2023 O2 Academy Bristol Public Image Ltd
• Sep 26 2023 Brighton, Chalk Public Image Ltd
• Sep 25 2023 Coventry, hmv Empire Public Image Ltd
• Sep 23 2023 Holmfirth Picturedrome Public Image Ltd
• Sep 22 2023 Manchester, O2 Ritz Public Image Ltd
• Sep 21 2023 O2 Academy Edinburgh Public Image Ltd
• Sep 19 2023 Aberdeen, The Beach Ballroom Public Image Ltd
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Public Image Ltd announce new album and 2023 UK tour

The John Lydon-fronted band have also released a new single, 'Penge'

Public Image Ltd have announced their first new album in eight years and an accompanying UK tour for later in the year.

The album, titled ‘End Of World’, is set for release on August 11 and is dedicated to frontman John Lydon ‘s late wife Nora Forster, who died last week at the age of 80 . She had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for five years and Lydon had been her full-time carer.

‘End Of World’ features the song ‘Hawaii’ as its closing track, which Lydon had written as a “love letter” to Forster . The band had used the song in their bid to represent Ireland at this year’s  Eurovision Song Contest, but they lost out to Dublin quarter Wild Youth .

“Nora loved the album, she wouldn’t have wanted us to postpone it or change any of our plans,” Lydon said in a press release. He had previously said of ‘Hawaii’ that “it is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most.”

To coincide with the announcement, Public Image Ltd. released the album’s opening track, ‘Penge’, which John has described as “something of a mediaeval Viking epic.”

Check it out below:

Recommended

The tracklist for ‘End Of World’ is as follows: 1. ‘Penge’ 2. ‘End Of The World” 3. ‘Car Chase’ 4. ‘Being Stupid Again’ 5. ‘Walls’ 6. ‘Pretty Awful’ 7. ‘Strange’ 8. ‘Down On The Clown’ 9. ‘Dirty Murky Delight’ 10. ‘The Do That’ 11. ‘L.F.C.F’ 12. ‘North West Passage’ 13. ‘Hawaii’

In addition, Public Image Ltd. will be embarking on a UK tour in autumn 2023, which kicks off in Swansea on September 11 and will see them play 14 other dates around the country, including a show at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on September 30.

You can see the full list of dates below and buy your tickets here.

SEPTEMBER 11 – Swansea, Patti Pavilion 12 – Margate, Dreamland 13 – Lincoln, Engine Shed 15 – Blackburn, King George’s Hall 16 – Buckley, Tivoli 18 – Sunderland, Fire Station 19 – Aberdeen, Beach Ballroom 21 – Edinburgh, O2 Academy 22 – Manchester, O2 Ritz 23 – Holmfirth, Picture Dome 25 – Coventry, HMV Empire 26 – Brighton, Chalk 28 – Bristol, O2 Academy 29 – Torquay, Foundry 30 – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town

Fans can buy and sell tickets for Public Image Ltd. at global marketplace, viagogo here .

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PiL unveils new album “End of World” and extensive tour — hear opening track “Penge”

Public Image Ltd. today announced the release this summer of the the band’s 11th album, titled End of World , and an accompanying tour of the U.K. and Europe — news that comes just days after the death of frontman John Lydon’s wife Nora Forster .

The 13-track album is due out Aug. 11 (Pre-order: Amazon.com , Amazon.co.uk , Apple Music ), and opens with the just-released “Penge” — hear that song below — and closes with “Hawaii,” the previously released track that Lydon wrote for his wife as he was losing her to Alzheimer’s disease.

PiL also is plotting a 38-date tour of the U.K. and Europe, which opens Sept. 8 with a pair of shows in Greece, followed by a U.K. run through September and then European dates all through October.

See those full tour date below.

A pre-sale for the new tour begins at 10 a.m. local time Wednesday, April 12, for subscribers to the PiL mailing list . The general on-sale follows at 10 a.m. Friday, April 14.

The new PiL album is the band’s third since reuniting in 2009; the group’s lineup since then has included drummer Bruce Smith, guitarist Lu Edmonds and bassist Scott Firth.

Below, hear the new song “Penge,” see the album artwork and tracklist, plus full tour dates:

Public Image Ltd., End of World

1. “Penge” 2. “End Of The World” 3. “Car Chase” 4. “Being Stupid Again” 5. “Walls” 6. “Pretty Awful” 7. “Strange” 8. “Down On The Clown” 9. “Dirty Murky Delight” 10. “The Do That” 11. “L F C F” 12. “North West Passage” 13. “Hawaii”

Public Image Ltd. tour dates 2023

UNITED KINGDOM Sept. 11: Swansea – Patti Pavilion Sept. 12: Margate – Dreamland Sept. 13: Lincoln – Engine Shed Sept. 15: Blackburn- King Georges Hall Sept. 16: Buckley – Tivoli Sept. 18: Sunderland – Fire Station Sept. 19: Scotland – Aberdeen Beach Ballroom Sept. 21: Edinburgh – O2 Academy Sept. 22: Manchester – O2 Ritz Sept. 23: Holmfirth – Picture Dome Sept. 25: Coventry – HMV Sept. 26: Brighton – CHALK Sept. 28: Bristol – O2 Academy Sept. 29: Torquay – Foundry Sept. 30: London – The Forum

EUROPE Sept. 8: Greece, Thessoloniki Principal Club Theatre Sept. 9: Greece, Athens Gagarin 205 Oct. 2: Germany – Cologne – Kantine Oct. 4: The Netherlands – Amsterdam – Paradiso Oct. 5: Belgium – Gent -Vooruit Oct. 6: Germany Stuttgart Im Wireman Oct. 8: Germany – Hamburg – Gruenspan Oct. 9: Sweden – Gothenburg – Pustervik Oct. 10: Sweden – Stockholm – Nalen Oct. 12: Estonia – Tallin – Helitehas Oct. 13: Finland – Helsinki – Ääniwalli Oct. 15: Germany – Berlin – Metropol Oct. 16: Czech Republic – Prague – Lucerna Music Bar Oct. 17: Czech Republic – Brno – Fléda club Oct. 20: Spain – Madrid – Shoko Oct. 21: Spain – Barcelona – Salamandra Oct. 22: Spain Bilbao – Cafe Antzokia Oct. 24: Portugal – Porto Hard Club Oct. 25: Portugal – Lisbon LAV Oct. 27: France – Paris – Le Trianon Oct. 29: Switzerland – Lausanne – Les Docks Oct. 30: Italy – Milan – Magazini Generali Oct. 31: France – Strasbourg – La Laiterie

PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS

• Nora Forster — wife of John Lydon, mother of The Slits’ Ari Up — has died at age 80
• Watch: Public Image Ltd. performs new song “Hawaii,” but fails to win Eurovision slot
• Public Image Ltd. debut moving new single “Hawaii,” full album due later this year
• ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: Dave Kendall and John Lydon in Tijuana — watch full 2-hour episode
• PiL to bring ‘The Public Image is Rotten’ 40th anniversary tour to North America this fall
• Watch: Trailer for ‘The Public Image is Rotten’ — new documentary on John Lydon’s PiL
• PiL details massive ‘The Public Image Is Rotten (Songs From The Heart)’ box set

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Public Image Ltd: End of World review – a frustratingly mixed bag

(PiL Official) John Lydon and band once again veer between hit and miss, from the poignantly affecting to the particularly annoying

A lmost half a century into a career in which his stock in trade has been wilful provocation, John Lydon finally revealed his tender side on January’s comeback single Hawaii , a disarmingly poignant and beautiful goodbye to his terminally ill wife, Nora, who died in April. Lyrically, the rest of its parent album is rather more boilerplate abrasive: Being Stupid Again finds him gleefully attacking student idealism (“Ban the bomb! Save the whale!”) and the entertaining but silly opener Penge relocates Viking drama to south London suburbia. Meanwhile, the accurately named Pretty Awful includes perhaps the first reference to a “wanker’s mac” in 21st-century popular culture.

Elsewhere, some of Hawaii’s gentleness is reprised: Scott Firth’s sinuous basslines combined with Lu Edmonds’s subtle guitar interventions give Walls a gorgeously loose and relaxed sound, and there’s a distinct eeriness to Strange. Best of all is the throbbing, synth-driven Car Chase. As with all of PiL ’s recent albums, End of World is frustratingly hit and miss – the staccato glam-rock stylings of The Do That are particularly annoying – but then you suspect that the arch contrarian Lydon wouldn’t have it any other way.

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After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed post-punk originators Public Image Ltd (PiL). Widely regarded as one of the most innovative bands of all time, their music and vision earned them 5 UK Top 20 Singles and 5 UK Top 20 Albums.

With a shifting line-up and unique sound – fusing rock, dance, folk, pop and dub – Lydon guided the band from their debut album ‘First Issue’ in 1978 through to 1992’s ‘That What Is Not’, before a 17 year hiatus.

Lydon reactivated PiL in 2009, touring extensively and releasing two critically acclaimed albums ‘This is PiL’ in 2012 followed by ‘What The World Needs Now…’ in 2015.

John Lydon, Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith continue as PiL. They are the longest stable line-up in the band’s history and continue to challenge and thrive.

See timeline below for further information…

Follow this link for a list of PiL Members 1978-Present…

PiL Timeline 1978-Present

John Lydon forms Public Image with Keith Levene (guitar), Jah Wobble (bass), and Jim Walker (drums).

The band sign to Virgin Records and release their debut single ‘ Public Image ‘ in October, followed by the album ‘ Public Image – First Issue ‘ in December. Barely six months after forming.

PiL (Public Image Limited) play their first UK shows on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Jim Walker leaves to be replaced by a succession of drummers, most notably Richard Dudanski then Martin Atkins.

Release of the second single ‘ Death Disco ‘. Written by John Lydon to his dying mother.

‘ Metal Box ‘ is released: 12 tracks on three separate 12″ records – playing at 45 rpm – housed in a limited edition metal canister.

PiL play their first US shows and also appear on ‘American Bandstand’. John Lydon brings the audience on stage to dance and mime to ‘Poptones’ and ‘Careering’.

Jah Wobble leaves. Jeannette Lee – who had worked behind the scenes – takes a more prominent, but still non-musical, role.

Release of live album ‘ Paris Au Printemps ‘. Recorded live in Paris, January 17th and 18th, 1980. ‘Metal Box’ is re-released as ‘ Second Edition ‘ in a cardboard sleeve.

Release of third studio album ‘ Flowers of Romance ‘. Preceded by the single.

PiL play a special show at New York, The Ritz. They perform behind a huge video screen. The audience riots.

PiL decide to relocate to New York from London due to logistics and Police harassment.

Drummer Martin Atkins rejoins, followed by bassist Pete Jones.

Recording begins in New York on what will be the 4th PiL studio album.

US and Canadian live shows.

Pete Jones leaves. Keith Levene leaves.

PiL play a short Japanese tour. John Lydon is the only founder member still in the band. With the exception of Martin Atkins, the line-up is largely unknown local New Jersey musicians hired for the shows. A live album from the tour is released.

Release of ‘ This Is Not A Love Song ‘. PiL’s biggest UK hit single; peaking at Number 5. Followed by the first real UK and European tours.

‘ This Is What You Want… This Is What You Ge t’ album is released, preceded by ‘Bad Life’ single. The album contains re-recorded material from the 1982 & 1983 New York sessions sessions; including ‘This Is Not A Love Song’.

New live line-up is recruited for North American, Japanese and Australian tours.

John Lydon – now the only original PiL member – releases his first single outside the band. Time Zone: ‘World Destruction’ with Africa Bambaataa.

Release of ‘Album’ album. Recorded with producer Bill Laswell and various session musicians; including Ginger Baker, Steve Vai, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. ‘Rise’ from the album peaks at Number 11 in the UK charts.

A new PiL band is recruited: John McGeoch (guitar), Allan Dias (bass), Lu Edmonds (keyboards / guitar) and Bruce Smith (drums).

UK, European and North American tours.

The “new” PiL release their first album together ‘ Happy? ‘.

Release of the single’s ‘ Seattle ‘ and ‘ The Body ‘.

UK, European and North American Tours, plus first ever South American shows.

PiL headline the first day of the ‘Rock Summer Festival’ in Tallinn, Estonia (USSR) playing to over 120,000 people. The biggest rock festival to be played behind the Iron Curtain.

Lu Edmonds is forced to quit the band due to health problems.

Release of ‘ 9 ‘. The 7th PiL studio album. And the 9th album including the two live albums.

PiL – along with New Order and The Sugarcubes (featuring Bjork) –  tour North America. The three band package tour – known as ‘Monsters of Alternative Rock’ – is a forerunner to the now famous Lollapalooza tours of the early nineties.

Australian Tour. And one-off UK show at London, Hammersmith.

Bruce Smith leaves.

‘ The Greatest Hits So Far ‘ compilation album is released; including several 12″ mixes and remixes, plus the new track ‘Don’t Ask Me’.

‘ Don’t Ask Me ‘ becomes PiL’s biggest UK hit single since ‘Rise’.

PiL – Lydon, McGeoch and Dias – release ‘ That What Is Not ‘. The band are complemented by sessions players.

EMI Records take over Virgin Records. PiL leave the label.

North American package tour with BAD, Live and Blind Melon. Followed by UK, European and South American Tours, plus more US shows. Allan Dias leaves during European shows.

John Lydon announces he has put PiL on hiatus to concentrate on recording a solo album; and to complete his autobiography ‘Rotten No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’. He also releases ‘ Open Up ‘ a collaboration single with Leftfield.

Publication of John Lydon’s autobiography ‘ Rotten No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs ’.

John Lydon releases the solo album ‘ Psycho’s Path ‘. His first album outside PiL since the band was formed. He also plays live dates in North America and Japan.

Release of limited edition 4 CD PiL box set ‘ Plastic Box ‘. 64 tracks in total. Including sleevenotes from John Lydon: “ This collection represents a comma not a full stop, I fully intend to carry on with PiL,and there will be more in the future…”

PiL guitarist John McGeoch dies aged just 48. RiP.

Release of John Lydon compilation CD ‘Best of British £1 Notes’ covering his whole career from the Sex Pistols, through PiL , to solo records and collaborations.

The DVD release features several PiL promo videos and also includes 3 previously unreleased extended audio mixes from ‘Metal Box’.

A vinyl replica of ‘ Metal Box ‘ –  3x45rpm, housed in a metal can – is released in the USA by the 4 Men With Beards re-issue label. This is the first time the album had been released in its original form in the US.

Public Image Limited return to play their first live shows in 17 years. John Lydon is joined by former PiL members Lu Edmonds (Guitar & Misc), Bruce Smith (Drums), and new recruit Scott Firth (Bass).

First North American show in 18 years; including a headlining appearance at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in California. Further UK / European live dates and Festival appearances.

First ever live appearance in Israel. John Lydon declares “ I hate all religion. I play for the people of Israel and not the Government” . John Lydon later describes playing material such as ‘Warrior’, ‘Four Enclosed Walls’ and ‘Religion’ as one of the highlights of his career. Particularly when the crowd of Israel joined him on the “Allah’ chorus of ‘Four Enclosed Walls’.

Publication of ‘ Mr Rotten’s Scrapbook ‘. Strictly limited edition to just 750 copies. The large format ‘coffee table’ style photographic book. Contains many unseen images of his life, career (including PiL) and includes handwritten commentary and quotes.

PiL continue into 2011, playing more UK / European live dates and Festival appearances; including the Isle of Wight Festival and Summer Sonic Festival in Japan.

PiL awarded “Outstanding Contribution To Music” at Mojo Honours List .

Band enter the studio to record their first studio album since 1992.

PiL release the studio album ‘This is PiL’ preceded by the Record Store Day EP ‘One Drop’. The album is self-funded and released on their own PiL Official Ltd label.

Danny Boyle includes ‘Under The House’ in the London Olympics Opening Ceremony .

First live UK TV appearance in 20 years on BBC, Later With Jools Holland .

First ever shows in China , along with tours of Japan and Australia .

UK / European Tour including Glastonbury Festival.

First ever North American release of PiL’s debut album ‘ First Issue’ via Light in the Attic Records.

John Lydon is honoured with the BMI icon award for songwriting.

Career spanning PiL documentary in production (originally started 2010).

Publication of John Lydon’s first full autobiography ‘ Anger is an Energy – My Life Uncensored ‘ covering his full life including PiL.

One-off sold out show at London’s 02 at the Indigo .

Release of 10th studio album ‘ What The World Needs Now… ‘ preceded by single ‘ Double Trouble ‘ both via PiL Official.

Release of ‘ The One ‘ (UK) &’ Bettie Page (US) 7” singles.

Further UK & European tour dates.

First Latin America tour for 24 years.

Super-deluxe box set editions of ‘Album’ and ‘ Metal Box ‘.

John Lydon publishes ‘ Mr Rotten’s Songbook ‘, celebrating 40 years of songwriting across PiL, solo & Sex Pistols.

Film Festival screenings of PiL documentary ‘ The Public Image is Rotten ’.

‘The Public Image is Rotten’ 40th Anniversary UK/Europe & Japanese Tour.

‘The Public Image is Rotten’ career spanning box set released.

‘The Public Image is Rotten’ documentary set for general release.

John Lydon announces first ever UK Q&A tour . Starting Autumn 2020.

2020 John Lydon UK Q&A tour is postponed until 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

John Lydon publishes ‘ I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right ‘ limited edition book.

PiL documentary ‘ The Public Image is Rotten ‘ is given a streaming release.

John Lydon ‘ I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right ‘ Q&A tour . 50+ dates.

PiL UK / European tour , preluded by an appearance at the Cruel World Festival in California. The first post covid PiL shows; and the first since 2018.

PiL announce they are compete to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2023 with their new single Hawaii.

New album ‘End of World’ to be released later in the year. Their 11th studio album. 

To be continued…

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