Post-punk legends Public Image Limited kickstarted the week on Wearside with a turbocharged performance at the Fire Station in Sunderland.

Such was the demand for PIL’s eagerly anticipated North East date that it had long since been sold out.

The group, fronted by John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, are presently touring in support of their new studio album End of World. PIL's latest offering was released in August. The record marks the group's eleventh studio album, and their first new studio album since 2015.

At the top of the show, the quartet took to the stage to a warm Wearside welcome, as they opened the set with Penge from the band's latest release. The latter is one of three new tracks to feature in the group's sixteen-song setlist alongside Car Chase and Being Stupid Again.

Bedecked in a white shirt, black waistcoat and positioned behind a music stand, the band's iconic frontman, John Lydon, walked the loyal Sunderland fans down memory lane. Positioned centre stage, Lydon was illuminated throughout by a white spotlight.

PIL's career-spanning setlist featured at least one track from the majority of the band’s studio releases. Songs such as This Is Not a Love Song fired up the audience. "You can clap, you know," joked Lydon, not that the crowd had to be asked twice.

The diversity of the PIL repertoire brings together elements of dub, punk rock, and disco into a melting pot of musical styles. The band’s unique sound is not only enjoyable, but also has a danceable beat.

Lydon's expressive persona, wit, banter, and distinctive vocal set him apart from the rest. Mid-set a poetic rendition of The Room I Am In slowed down the proceedings momentarily. Whilst tracks from early in the band's career, like Death Disco with its Swan Lake-tinged guitar riff, took the fans back to PIL's seminal 1979 sophomore release Metal Box.

PIL closed their main set with Shoom, although Lydon left the audience under no illusion that they would return for an encore. "We are going off to have a cup of tea. We will be back if you so require," he joked.

Of course, the fans wanted more, as you would expect. A three-song encore featuring Public Image and the unmistakable Rise brought the show to a close.

Whilst Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Paul Cook have been touring with Billy Idol and Generation Sex, based upon comments at the end of the show, this is not a concept that Lydon approves of.

Whilst many fans may long for a Sex Pistols reunion, with a new PIL album in the bag, John Lydon proved that he is looking towards the future with Public Image Ltd. Based upon Monday evening's incredible performance, who could argue with that sentiment.