WITH the music of The Sex Pistols due to feature at some point during the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony tonight (Sunday), frontman John Lydon will be appearing live in Hatfield with his other band, Public Image Ltd.

The Pistols’ anti-monarchy anthem God Save The Queen was heard in the Olympic Stadium during Danny Boyle’s spectacular opening ceremony just over a fortnight ago and a censored version of punk classic Pretty Vacant is due to be sung by Russell Brand of all people this evening at the Games climax, which starts at 9pm.

However, Johnny Rotten’s other band, Public Image Ltd, will be at the Forum in Hatfield while the eyes of the world are fixed on the likes of the Spice Girls, George Michael and co in Stratford.

The seminal post-punk group play the College Lane venue on Sunday night in support of new album, This is PiL – the band’s first full-length record in 20 years.

“I like to do smaller theatres and clubs and pubs,” said Lydon to the Welwyn Hatfield Times.

“You get to see all the faces – we like to play with human beings.

“A PiL crowd is a warm crowd – there’s no animosity or violence. It’s got a buzz and a dance vibe.”

PiL’s comeback would not have been possible were it not for Lydon’s now notorious Country Life butter adverts.

When he first appeared in the ads – dressed in a tweed suit, waving a Union Jack flag at a Royal procession – many accused the one-time anarchist of selling out. On the contrary.

“The whole idea struck me in the first place as the most anarchistic thing I’d ever heard of,” said Lydon.

“I’m not a communist – I understand how things work. How else am I going to make money? The record companies? Journalists? Not one of them has ever helped my career.

“It’s an expensive thing to restart a band and at the same time recoup on my outstanding debts left by record companies.

“I’ve got to be very grateful – they [Country Life] have given me the money to put PiL back together.

“It seemed like it would cause such a lot of trouble – and I like butter.”

Tickets for PiL at the Forum cost £25. Doors open at 7pm.