Punk legends The Damned have today reluctantly postponed their eagerly-awaited summer tour until next year.
The Damned original line-up of Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Brian James and Rat Scabies was due to play five UK gigs in July, for their 45th anniversary.
The dates in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester were enormously anticipated, despite controversy over the price of tickets.
But continuing uncertainty over restrictions on live music due to Covid-19 means they’ve had to be delayed.
The band posted on their social media accounts: “We’ve tried our absolute utmost to make the July dates happen.
“But with things as they are, we can’t see any way that any indoor standing show without social distancing is going to happen this summer.
“And this needs to be a real show, nothing else cuts it. So, we’ve taken the decision to move the shows to February 2022 in the hope that we will all be free of these Damned restrictions, and can put on the show that we all want to do; uncompromisingly exciting with everyone in the room!
“This is also the anniversary month of 45 years since the release of Damned Damned Damned.
New dates
“All tickets bought will be valid for these new dates. We will announce exact new dates and exciting full supporting line-up on 7th April.
“Damned Covid! Bring back live music – let Boris know how you feel!”
The Damned were among the first UK punk bands, and the dates mark 45 years since their first g.
That was on 6 July 1976, when they supported the Sex Pistols at The 100 Club in London.
They released the UK’s first punk single, New Rose, in October 1976, and album, Damned Damned Damned, in February 1977.
