Public Image Ltd. Announce New Album End of World

Despite the tearful passing of his beloved wife Nora Forster, John Lydon has chosen to press on with the release of the new Public Image Ltd. album, the group’s first in eight years. 

Entitled End of World, the album will be released on August 11th, 2023 on PiL Official via Cargo UK Distribution, followed by a 38-date UK and European Tour. 

“Nora loved the album,” John said of his wife, dedicating End of World to her memory. “She wouldn’t have wanted us to postpone it or change any of our plans.”

The 13-song LP will include “Hawaii,” the beautiful song written by Lydon as a love letter to Nora that was entered in this year’s Eurovision song contest in a failed bid to represent Ireland. 

Yet despite not qualifying, “Hawaii” nonetheless resonated deeply with music fans, especially those who have experienced a loved one suffer from the effects of Alzheimer’s or dementia. 

 

VIDEO: Public Image Ltd. “Hawaii”

Previously John has said “Hawaii” was “dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most.”

However, the band began writing and recording End of World in 2018, during their 40th anniversary tour. After COVID, the band regrouped in the studio and enjoyed what Lydon called “this massive explosion of ideas,” resulting in what promises to be the best PiL material in years. 

The announcement comes with the release of new single “Penge,” which John has described as “something of a mediaeval Viking epic” that you can check out at the bottom of this story.

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.

PiL will be touring the U.K. and Europe in September and October 2023 – dates below.

Track listing for End of World:

“Penge”

“End Of The World”

“Car Chase”

“Being Stupid Again”

“Walls”

“Pretty Awful”

“Strange”

“Down On The Clown”

“Dirty Murky Delight”

“The Do That”

“L F C F”

“North West Passage”

“Hawaii”

 

UK Tour Dates

Mon 11th Sept – Swansea – Patti Pavillion

Tue 12th Sept – Margate – Dreamland

Wed 13th Sept – Lincoln – Engine Shed

Fri 15th Sept – Blackburn- King Georges Hall

Sat 16th Sept – Buckley – Tivoli

Mon 18th Sept – Sunderland – Fire Station

Tue 19th Sept – Scotland – Aberdeen Beach Ballroom

Thurs 21st Sept – Edinburgh – O2 Academy

Fri 22nd Sept – Manchester – O2 Ritz

Sat 23rd Sept – Holmfirth – Picture Dome

Mon 25th Sept – Coventry – HMV

Tues 26th Sept – Brighton – CHALK

Thurs 28th Sept – Bristol – O2 Academy

Fri 29th Sept – Torquay – Foundry

Sat 30th Sept – London – The Forum

 

Europe Tour Dates

Fri 8th Sept – Greece, Thessoloniki Principal Club Theatre

Sat 9th Sept – Greece, Athens Gagarin 205

Mon 2nd Oct – Germany – Cologne – Kantine

Wed 4th Oct – The Netherlands – Amsterdam – Paradiso

Thurs 5th Oct – Belgium – Gent -Vooruit

Fri 6th Oct – Germany Stuttgart Im Wireman

Sun 8th Oct – Germany – Hamburg – Gruenspan

Mon 9th Oct – Sweden – Gothenburg – Pustervik

Tues 10th Oct – Sweden – Stockholm – Nalen

Thurs 12th Oct Estonia – Tallin – Helitehas

Fri 13th Oct – Finland – Helsinki – Ääniwalli

Sun 15th Oct – Germany – Berlin – Metropol

Mon 16th Oct – Czech Republic – Prague – Lucerna Music Bar

Tues 17th Oct – Czech Republic – Brno – Fléda club

Fri 20th Oct – Spain – Madrid – Shoko

Sat 21st Oct – Spain – Barcelona – Salamandra

Sun 22nd Oct – Spain Bilbao – Cafe Antzokia

Tues 24th Oct – Portugal – Porto Hard Club

Wed 25th Oct – Portugal – Lisbon LAV

Fri 27th Oct – France – Paris – Le Trianon

Sun 29th Oct – Switzerland – Lausanne – Les Docks

Mon 30th Oct – Italy – Milan – Magazzini Generali

Tues 31st Oct – France – Strasbourg – La Laiterie

 

VIDEO: Public Image Ltd. “Penge”