ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC AND INFLUENTIAL FIGURES OF THE LAST FORTY YEARS GUESTS IN THIS NEW EDITION OF THE MOUTHCAST…

After fronting the Sex Pistols John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) formed art-punk originators Public Image Ltd (PiL), widely regarded as one of the most innovative bands to have emerged during the late 1970s. Their distinctive music, fusing rock, dance, folk, pop and dub, allied with Lydon’s singular vision to earn Public Image Ltd a handful of UK Top 20 singles (including PUBLIC IMAGE, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG and RISE) and five UK Top 20 albums (including the iconic METAL BOX, THE FLOWERS OF ROMANCE and ALBUM). Lydon guided the band from their debut FIRST ISSUE in 1978 through to THAT WHAT IS NOT (1992), before a seventeen year hiatus. He reactivated PiL as an independent concern in 2009, releasing the critically acclaimed THIS IS PIL in 2012. The band continues to challenge and thrive both in concert and in the studio, and issued their tenth studio album in September 2015. WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW sees Lydon tackling various aspects of the human condition in typically uncompromising form. First single DOUBLE TROUBLE is a litany of complaints set to spiteful energy, new single BETTIE PAGE celebrates the ‘girl power’ of a true 1950s icon, and for fans of profanity the dance / dub freeform workout SHOOM has to be heard to be believed…

In this very special edition of The Mouthcast Lydon talks by telephone from his home in Los Angeles ahead of a new UK tour. He reflects on the legacy of the Sex Pistols and the relevance of Public Image Ltd, and talks about his serious childhood illness and his continuing natural shyness. We also cover his thoughts on his years as a television personality, the rise of Donald Trump and the recent revelation that Vivienne Westwood and Malcom McLaren’s son intends to burn £5million-worth of punk memorabilia…

Buy WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW here

Wednesday 25th May   WAKEFIELD   Warehouse   SOLD OUT
Thursday 26th May   WREXHAM   William Aston Hall   Tickets
Wednesday 1st June   LINCOLN   Engine Shed   Tickets
Thursday 2nd June   BLACKBURN   King George’s Hall   Tickets