John Lydon public image ltd
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John Lydon’s PiL Competing to Represent Ireland at Eurovision 2023

John Lydon and Public Image Ltd will compete to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The band announced the news in a press release, writing that they’ve entered their new track ‘Hawaii’ for judging.

They’ll perform it alongside a slew of other hopefuls on Irish talk show The Late Late Show on Friday, 3rd February. You can listen to the new track below.

Public Image Ltd: ‘Hawaii’

The track is dedicated to Lydon’s wife of more than 40 years, Nora Forster, who has Alzheimer’s. “It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most,” Lydon said of the release. “It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”

Lydon spoke about Forster’s Alzheimer’s battle in a 2020 interview with The Observer, revealing he was now her full-time carer. “She’s going through some traumas,” Lydon said. “Bits of memories are fading, slowly but surely, and will probably all be gone eventually. But I’m making sure it’s a happy journey and not a sad one. She will never forget me, and I will never forget her, whatever else falls out of her earholes.”

The former Sex Pistols vocalist was born in London to Irish parents – he holds both Irish and US citizenship. As The Guardian notes, he’s previously described himself as “proper London working class”. The band will compete against five other acts for the chance to represent Ireland, including ADGY, Connolly, Wild Youth, Leila Jane, and K Muni and ND.

The final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool on 13th May. Last year’s winner was Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, however Ukraine could not host the event on account of the Russian invasion of the country, which has now lasted nearly 11 months.

Public Image Ltd are set to release a new album at some point this year.

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