On, 1 October, 2026 Post-Punk Pioneers Public Image Ltd. (PiL) brought their “This Is Not…The Last PiL Tour” roadshow to a packed house at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC along with opener Plague Vendor. My husband (…And We All Die) and I have seen PiL in Dublin and Montreal, so I was excited to see them again in DC, finally seeing them close to home. It was our first time seeing Plague Vendor and they didn’t disappoint.
The crowd began lining up some time before 2:00 pm eager to guarantee their locations along the railing. The age of the fans skewed towards Baby Boomers and Generation X, with many having seen PiL before. While the show wasn’t sold out, it was packed with folks who appeared to be real fans rather than curious spectators. I was happy that my husband showed up early and secured me a spot up front so I could see the bands, because I’m 5’1”, after I finished photographing the first three songs.
Plague Vendor hit the stage at 8:00 pm and delivered a 30-minute set of no holds barred set of garage rock frenzy. The band is comprised of Brandon Blaine (vocals), Henri Cash (lead guitar), Jay Rogers (rhythm guitar), Michael Perez (bass), and Luke Perine (drums) and they characterize their music as “Graveyard Groove.” Whatever you wanna call it, you could feel their influences – the Stooges, the Cramps, the Gun Club – as they unleashed their frenetic angst upon the audience.
Blaine repeatedly thrust himself at the audience, leaning, lunging, and launching onto the crowd – equal parts Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and David Yow.
Like a tornado, Cash flew around the stage as he and his guitar were one, and his movements were needed to deliver rowdy rock n’ roll into the patrons standing before him.
If Plague Vendor are selling anything, it’s a much-needed return to rock that’s dark and dangerous and if that’s a plague, then let’s all get sick.
- Plague Vendor setlist:
- “Anchor to Ankles”
- “Jezebel”
- “Breakdance on Broken Glass”
- “Black Sap Scriptures”
- “New Comedown”
- “Roses”
- “Freight Train”
- “Black Picket Fence”
- “I Only Speak In Friction”
- “Highway Love Letter”
- “Deadened”
- “Unc”
PiL hit the stage at 09:00 pm and launched into a set that was as atmospheric as it was moving – equal parts mode and mood. PiL’s current lineup includes John Lydon (vocals), Lu Edmonds (guitar), Scott Firth (bass), and Mark Roberts (drums). We’d seen all these fellas before except Roberts and were excited to experience his contributions to team PiL and what a surprise it was. Roberts seemed to singlehandedly breathe new life into the band’s live performance. Messrs. Edmonds and Firth were also in top form and appeared reinvigored by Roberts’ percussive magic.
We all know that Mr. Lydon has high standards and his band has always been great, but they were incredible, and he appeared to bask in their glory. Their delivery of “World Destruction” was both fresh and nostalgic, both dancy and rockin’. Mr. Lydon sang and he emoted and he bore himself before his fans. During one song, Lydon began to tear up and appeared to look each audience member in the eye during this short special moment. I was moved and felt the connection, not a parasocial one but something else, something real.
As Lydon and company continued through their set, they did so with purpose. Lydon delivered his poetry, Edmonds his melody, Firth his groove, and Roberts his drive. PiL ended their show with a combination of “Rise” and “Religion,” with the crowd singing as if there was no other choice. After birthing punk into the world, Lydon walked away and gifted us post-punk. And, just as punk has survived half a century, post-punk has also stood the test of time and evolved. It’s done so because of architects such as Lydon and the craftsmen they enlist to bring their visions to life. If Lydon and PiL are anything, they are vital.
- PiL setlist:
- “Home”
- “Know Now”
- “World Destruction” (Time Zone cover)
- “This Is Not a Love Song”
- “Poptones”
- “Death Disco”
- “Warrior”
- “Shoom”
- “Open Up” (Leftfield cover)
- Encore:
- “Rise / Religion”
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