In celebration of their 40th Anniversary, JOHN LYDON's PUBLIC IMAGE LTD (PiL) have announced a flurry of activity for 2018 including a worldwide tour, a career-spanning boxset and the theatrical release of a brand-new documentary film on the band. 'THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN: NORTH AMERICAN TOUR' will visit 18 major cities beginning Oct. 9 in New Orleans and ending Nov. 6 in Mexico City (all dates below). Tickets for PiL's fall tour are on sale now (here).
Further PUBLIC IMAGE LTD happenings include the release of The Public Image Is Rotten (Songs From The Heart) a career-spanning 5CD/2DVD box set, due out July 20. The box set features the PiL Singles Collection (1978-2015), B-sides, Rarities and a Live concert from New York Ritz in July 1989. The DVD also includes PiL promo videos + footage from the BBC's Top Of The Pops and Old Grey Whistle Test as well as two legendary full PUBLIC IMAGE LTD concerts.
After premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York and at London's Raindance Festival, THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN documentary film will make its North American theatrical premiere onFriday, September 14 in New York City at The Metrograph. From Abramorama and Verisimilitude,THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN film tells the story of music icon JOHN LYDON and his pioneering group PUBLIC IMAGE LTD (PiL) with a level of depth and intimacy never-before-seen. Loaded with electrifying archival performance and interview footage, THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN was directed by Tabbert Fiiller and produced by Verisimilitude's Tyler Brodie and Hunter Gray as well as Phaedon Papadopoulos and Fiiller. The film features in-depth interviews with JOHN LYDON, former and currentPUBLIC IMAGE LTD bandmates as well as Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ad-Rock (Beastie Boys)and Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) among others. Following the New York City premiere, expect more theatrical dates in October-November for THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN to coincide with PiL's North American fall tour.
THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN: NORTH AMERICAN TOUR arrives on the heels of the band's current headlining UK/Europe tour which has included a number of sold-out shows as well as festival performances and Japanese dates. The group's worldwide tour in 2016 was regarded by many as the best performances the band have ever played; it followed the release of their 10th studio album 'What The World Needs Now...' (2015) and the critically-acclaimed 'This is PiL' (2012) which marked the band's first album in 17 years. 'What The World Needs Now...' peaked at number 29 in the official UK album charts and picked up fantastic acclaim worldwide from both the press and public. (The album also peaked at # 3 in the official UK indie charts and # 4 in the official UK vinyl charts). 'What The World Needs Now...' was self-funded by PiL and released on their own label 'PiL Official' via Cargo UK Distribution.
Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time, PUBLIC IMAGE LTD'smusic and vision has earned them 5 UK Top 20 singles and 5 UK Top 20 albums. With a shifting line-up and unique sound, JOHN LYDON guided the band from their debut album 'First Issue' in 1978 through to 1992's 'That What Is Not'. After a 17-year hiatus, LYDON reactivated PiL in 2009 by taking them back on the road worldwide.
JOHN LYDON, LU EDMONDS, SCOTT FIRTH and BRUCE SMITH continue as PiL and remain thelongest stable line-up in the band's history.
PUBLIC IMAGE LTD is:
John Lydon - After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed Public Image Ltd in 1978. Outside of PiL John has released several solo records and collaborations. He also brings quality TV to the masses and has recently released the autobiography 'Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored'.
Lu Edmonds - Multi instrumentalist and former guitarist in The Damned, Lu joined PiL in 1986 recording and playing on the album 'Happy?' and co-writing the album '9', adding yet another dimension to the PiLsound.
Bruce Smith - Drummer in The Pop Group and formerly of The Slits Bruce became percussionist for PiL in 1986 playing and recording on the albums 'Happy?' and '9'. Seen as a drumming virtuoso, Bruce brought his unique style into the fold.
Scott Firth - A bass player/multi instrumentalist that has collaborated and played with a variety of top musicians and bands including Steve Winwood, John Martyn and Elvis Costello.
TOUR:
'THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR' DATES
TUE 10/9 New Orleans, LA The Civic Theatre
WED 10/10 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
FRI 10/12 Washington, DC Black Cat
SAT 10/13 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Lanes
MON 10/15 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Steel
TUE 10/16 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
THU 10/18 Montreal, QC Club Soda
FRI 10/19 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
SUN 10/21 Detroit, MI The Majestic
MON 10/22 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall
WED 10/24 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre
THU 10/25 Austin, TX The Mohawk
SUN 10/28 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
MON 10/29 Seattle, WA Showbox
WED 10/31 San Francisco, CA The Chapel
THU 11/1 San Francisco, CA The Chapel
SAT 11/3 Los Angeles, CA El Rey
SUN 11/4 Tijuana, Baja CA El Foro Jai Alai
TUE 11/6 Mexico City, MX Pepsi Centre
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