John Lydon trashes the Eurovision Song Contest just one day after announcing that PiL wants to represent Ireland.
Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon has trashed the Eurovision Song Contest just a day after announcing that Public Image Ltd., wants to represent Ireland.
In an interview on RTE’s Radio 1, Lyndon said ‘It’s absolutely awful, the songs. The whole thing of it is disgusting to me. I’m a songwriter, I perform live, and these shows just come across as so dreadfully phony to me. But look, we’re giving it a chance to break out of that mold”
However, after his slagging off of the show, he admitted that he had never watched Eurovision in his life.
PiL has been added to the shortlist of six acts competing for Eurovision glory for Ireland with the song ‘Hawaii,’ a reflective track that’s “a personal yet universal love song that will resonate with many,” the band said in a press release.
The song is dedicated to Lydon’s wife, Nora Forster, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease.
Lydon added in a statement, “It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most. It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
The heat to determine Ireland’s Eurovision competitor will occur on 3 February, when PiL will perform Hawaii on The Late Late Eurosong 2023 Special. The other artists on the shortlist for Ireland are ADGY, K Muni & ND (Kofi Appiah and Nevlonne Dampare), Leila Jane, Wild Youth, and CONNOLLY.
Follow PiL on Their Socials
Need more Punk In Your Life?


EP review: Petrichor release their self-titled debut
The kids are alright, folks. Washington DC quartet Petrichor are probably sick of journos like me mentioning their age (all between 13 and 15 years


Terminal Sleep/Spaced, London New Cross Inn, 8th July 2025
Truly, Real Life Presents has been on a roll recently, with a week of great hardcore shows now coming to a close with a beast


Shake Some Acton gig #102, London The Lexington, 5th July 2025
There are plenty of gigs happening tonight, including a fair few rock n’ roll ones, but we rest assured that we’ve made the right choice


Gig Review: Pussy Riot, New Age Doom, Dolly Min, in The Hague, the Netherlands
On 26th June 2025, Pussy Riot brought their Riot Days show to het Paard in the Hague. Canadians New Age Doom and local punks Dolly


From Post-Punk to Present Tense, Vision Meets Violets in Leeds’ Gothic Temple
Leeds’ music scene breaths grit. Warehouse raves, postpunk rebellions and goth nights have been its lifeblood for decades. The Warehouse hosted Vision Video and The


Punk, Putin and Pussy Riot – Maria Alyokhina speaks out in The Hague
On 26th June 2025, Maria Alyokhina brought her Riot Days show to het Paard venue in The Hague, The Netherlands. Before the concert, Pussy Riot
I’m a London born and bred music journalist, a mediocre bass player and the occasional strummer of the guitar. In the ’80s I worked in recording studios and made a few records you’d probably recognise. I have written a couple of books and made the odd media appearance as a music commentator. I now call Brisbane home.