LIVE REVIEW
PUBLIC IMAGE LTD.
O2 RITZ - MANCHESTER
Band: Public Image Ltd
Venue: O2 Ritz, Manchester
Date: 28th of December 2025
Photos and Review: LJ Hubbard
Venue: O2 Ritz, Manchester
Date: 28th of December 2025
Photos and Review: LJ Hubbard
Post-punk legends, Public Image Ltd, returned to Manchester last week for the second show of the ‘This is Not the Last Tour’, shaking up the venue with their experimental, unconventionally cool sound.
We were primed with two openers to kick off the night. Middle Eastern and European indie rock band, The Gulps, took to the stage first. They were absolutely incredible, filling the entire stage with rock-and-roll-infused alternative sounds and clearly enjoying every single second. The crowd was in awe; I even overheard someone calling their vocalist ‘the best frontman of the century,’ and they were spot on.
Next up were The Dualers, a reggae-ska band hailing from South London. Instantly getting the crowd buzzing, not a soul in the crowd was standing still; the band had a bit of everything – style, unique vocals, feel-good energy, and an outright adoration for what they do. What more could you possibly need?
Not long after The Dualers packed up, the lights went down, and the crowd erupted into cheers as Edmonds, Firth, and Roberts took to the stage, followed by the main event: John Lydon himself.
Public Image opened up with a truly haunting performance of ‘Religion II’ with Lydon’s vocals reverberating around the ballroom with ferocity and power like nothing I’ve ever heard before. I was taken aback by this intro, admiring the way the instruments gradually swelled to reach the resounding, evocative chorus of the 1986 tune.
The show just got better and better as the night went on, with Lydon entertaining the crowd between songs with comedic attempts at the Mancunian accent, showing his respect for us coming out in what felt like sub-zero temperatures.
Having been a frontman for over 50 years has definitely had its benefits for Lydon. He is extremely comfortable in the spotlight and so talented at creating a night of pure joy and energy for the crowd whilst keeping it fresh for those who have seen him perform hundreds of times, a true mastermind of the stage.
We were primed with two openers to kick off the night. Middle Eastern and European indie rock band, The Gulps, took to the stage first. They were absolutely incredible, filling the entire stage with rock-and-roll-infused alternative sounds and clearly enjoying every single second. The crowd was in awe; I even overheard someone calling their vocalist ‘the best frontman of the century,’ and they were spot on.
Next up were The Dualers, a reggae-ska band hailing from South London. Instantly getting the crowd buzzing, not a soul in the crowd was standing still; the band had a bit of everything – style, unique vocals, feel-good energy, and an outright adoration for what they do. What more could you possibly need?
Not long after The Dualers packed up, the lights went down, and the crowd erupted into cheers as Edmonds, Firth, and Roberts took to the stage, followed by the main event: John Lydon himself.
Public Image opened up with a truly haunting performance of ‘Religion II’ with Lydon’s vocals reverberating around the ballroom with ferocity and power like nothing I’ve ever heard before. I was taken aback by this intro, admiring the way the instruments gradually swelled to reach the resounding, evocative chorus of the 1986 tune.
The show just got better and better as the night went on, with Lydon entertaining the crowd between songs with comedic attempts at the Mancunian accent, showing his respect for us coming out in what felt like sub-zero temperatures.
Having been a frontman for over 50 years has definitely had its benefits for Lydon. He is extremely comfortable in the spotlight and so talented at creating a night of pure joy and energy for the crowd whilst keeping it fresh for those who have seen him perform hundreds of times, a true mastermind of the stage.
After a brief smoke break, Lydon and his bandmates returned to the stage for the classic tune ‘Public Image’, to which the crowd went wild. I went in expecting this song to be the highlight of my night, but its predicted top spot was quickly snapped up by their rendition of Leftfield’s ‘Open Up’, a track in which Lydon had provided vocals back in the early 90s.
I was utterly enamoured with this performance, taking an electronic track and adding a post-punk essence without diluting its original sinister techno sound, and making it even better than the original. That takes a lot of hard work, and it really did pay off — it was one of the best performances I’ve seen all year, and it will definitely stick with me for a very long time.
Another short break went by, and we were treated to an improvised medley of the acclaimed tracks ‘Annalisa’, ‘Attack’ and ‘Chant’ — all of which had been requested through various shouts from the crowd. The building was pulsing, the floor was shaking, and we loved every second of it. What an electrifying way to top off an already outstanding gig.
Public Image Ltd.’s Manchester show was a triumph, leaving people not wanting, but needing more. Thankfully, the secret is out that ‘This is Not the Last Tour’.
I was utterly enamoured with this performance, taking an electronic track and adding a post-punk essence without diluting its original sinister techno sound, and making it even better than the original. That takes a lot of hard work, and it really did pay off — it was one of the best performances I’ve seen all year, and it will definitely stick with me for a very long time.
Another short break went by, and we were treated to an improvised medley of the acclaimed tracks ‘Annalisa’, ‘Attack’ and ‘Chant’ — all of which had been requested through various shouts from the crowd. The building was pulsing, the floor was shaking, and we loved every second of it. What an electrifying way to top off an already outstanding gig.
Public Image Ltd.’s Manchester show was a triumph, leaving people not wanting, but needing more. Thankfully, the secret is out that ‘This is Not the Last Tour’.
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