For the first time on Friday, June 21, 2019, the Royal Albert Hall will host an evening of music featuring a particular three-band bill of some of the premier artists from the 1970s punk and new wave scene. Its all about the Evening with Buzzcocks!
“I’m really excited to be playing this one off unique show with two of my favourite bands. It’s a magnificent venue and the night will definitely be one of the highlights of my time with The Skids.” – Richard Jobson, vocalist of The Skids.
Veteran punk band, The Damned broke the mould two years ago and became the first band from the 70’s punk explosion to play the prestigious venue, selling it out entirely and playing a three-hour career-spanning set.
Such a success was that the public demanded more similar appearances. The Royal Albert Hall was equally keen. Three bands were approached, and all leapt at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grace a stage on which none ever expected to appear.
Closing the evening are punk first-wave legends, The Buzzcocks. Formed in Manchester in February 1976, having witnessed the Sex Pistols play, they became the first British punk band to create their label. They released their debut Spiral Scratch EP on New Hormones later that year.
They signed with United Artists a few months later and went on to become one of the most enduring and successful bands in the punk and new wave scenes, with hits like “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve),” “What Do I Get?” and “Promises.”
As an indication of their longevity and influence, they’ve even had a BBC TV show, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, named after them!
The Skids from Falkirk were one of Scotland’s first-ever punk bands. Formed by guitarist Stuart Adamson (later of Big Country), they were fronted by the charismatic Richard Jobson, often remembered for his electrifying Top Of The Pops appearances.
“I’m looking forward to an amazing show at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It’s going to be a great night and an event to remember from the legendary Buzzcocks.” – Steve Diggle, lead guitarist The Buzzcocks
Radio support from John Peel for their self-released ‘Charles’ EP led them to sign to Virgin Records in April 1978, with whom they had many successful singles, including ‘Masquerade,’ ‘Working For The Yankee Dollar’ and the Top 10 hit ‘Into The Valley,’ before evolving their sound into a more post-punk direction.
Their influence is still felt today with two of the most prominent contemporary rock bands, Green Day and U2, uniting in 2006 to cover The Skids’ ‘The Saints Are Coming,’ a track from the band’s ‘Wide Open’ EP from 1978 as a benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The song reached number one in ten countries worldwide and two in the UK charts.
This will be The Skid’s last full-band electric show for the foreseeable future.
Opening the evening is Penetration, the North East of England’s first punk band and one of the few to be fronted by a woman; in this case, the irrepressible Pauline Murray.
Their debut single, ‘Don’t Dictate,’ released in 1977 on Virgin Records, remains an enduring classic of the era, as does their seminal debut album, Moving Targets.
“The band are looking forward to our appearance at the iconic Royal Albert Hall with The Buzzcocks and The Skids. From the tiny Roxy Club in 1977 to the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in 2019, it’s been quite a journey!” – Pauline Murray, singer Penetration
One of the first punk bands to move in a new wave direction, this brought them their most tremendous success with the hit single ‘Come Into The Open,’ before Pauline Murray left to pursue a solo career.
