What is somewhat odd is that so many people still have to qualify John Lydon's name with something like, "He used to be called Johnny Rotten." That was decades ago, just as his creation of music with the Sex Pistols was. For nearly the past five decades, Lydon has performed with Public Image Ltd.
The great part is that both bands are terrific, at least the Sex Pistols part with Lydon/Rotten. Not so much since.
PiL doesn't sound much like Lydon's former band, really. The post-punk group is more post than punk. Still, the group is nowhere near pop, just as Lydon, the only remaining member from when the group was formed in 1978, would want it.
Public Image Ltd announce expansive 2026-27 tour
Recently, the singer's wife died, as did his friend, Rambo Stevens. Both happened in 2023. Lydon has said that touring has helped him through the personal tragedies. Moreover, he remains an elite entertainer.
Tickets for the expansive tour that will begin in early September and, after taking a three-month break, continues in February 2027, will be available on Friday, March 20, at 10 am local time. For more information, one can visit Public Image Ltd's official website.
Public Image Ltd 2026 tour dates:
- Sept. 3 - Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s
- Sept. 5 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre
- Sept. 8 - Santa Ana, CAÂ @ The Observatory
- Sept. 10 - Los Angeles, CAÂ @ The Belasco
- Sept. 11 - San Diego, CAÂ @ House of Blues
- Sept. 12 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
- Sept. 14 - Portland, ORÂ @ Wonder Ballroom
- Sept. 15 - Seattle, WAÂ @ Neptune Theatre
- Sept. 16 - Boise, IDÂ @ Treefort Music Hall
- Sept. 22 - Minneapolis, MNÂ @ First Avenue
- Sept. 23 - Milwaukee, WIÂ @ Turner Hall Ballroom
- Sept. 25 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
- Sept. 26 - Toronto, ONÂ @ Danforth Music Hall
- Sept. 28 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
- Sept. 29 - Pittsburgh, PAÂ @ Roxian Theatre
- Oct. 1 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
- Oct. 2 - Philadelphia, PAÂ @ Union Transfer
- Oct. 3 - Boston, MAÂ @ Paradise Rock Club
- Oct. 5 - Richmond, VAÂ @ The National
- Oct. 6 - Raleigh, NCÂ @ Lincoln Theatre
- Oct. 8 - Atlanta, GAÂ @ Variety Playhouse
- Oct. 9 - Nashville, TNÂ @ Brooklyn Bowl
PiL 2027 tour dates:
- Feb. 17 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Grand at the Complex
- Feb.18 - Denver, COÂ @ Gothic Theatre
- Feb. 20 - Oklahoma City, OKÂ @ Tower Theatre
- Feb. 21 - San Antonio, TXÂ @ Aztec Theatre
- Feb. 23 - Austin, TXÂ @ Mohawk
- Feb. 24 - Dallas, TXÂ @ Echo Lounge & Music Hall
- Feb. 25 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
- Feb. 27 - March 6 - New Orleans, LAÂ @ The 80s Cruise 2027
- March 8 - St. Petersburg, FLÂ @ Jannus Live
- March 9 - Fort Myers, FLÂ @ The Ranch
- March 10 - Fort Lauderdale, FLÂ @ Revolution Live
- March 12 - Orlando, FLÂ @ The Plaza Live
- March 13 - Ponte Vedra Beach, FLÂ @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
- March 14 - Charlotte, NCÂ @ The Underground
- March 16 - Louisville, KYÂ @ Mercury Ballroom
- March 17 - Lexington, KYÂ @ Manchester Music Hall
- March 19 - St. Louis, MOÂ @ The Sovereign
- March 21 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
- March 23 - Columbus, OHÂ @ Newport Music Hall
- March 24 - Cleveland, OH @ Globe Iron
Whew. That is a lot of dates. That said, as Lohn Lydon said, this won't be the last Public Image Ltd tour. If you miss them on this run, just wait. There will be more.