Anarchy in the UK

From Johnny Rotten to Gizzard Puke – a 30th anniversary celebration of punk: the players, the fans and the satirists.

“You don’t write a song like ‘God Save the Queen’ because you hate the English race. You do it because you love them and you’re fed up with them being mistreated” – John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten)

In 1977 punk rock conquered the nation. Far beyond the King’s Road punk became part of life on every high street in the land. It was the anarchic voice of Britain’s rebellious youth and a needle in the side of those busy enjoying the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations.

The Mediatheque revives the spirit of punk with a collection that tells the story of the music, its fans and its effect on the UK. These films and television programmes are not just about the familiar scene in London. Away from the capital the scene was vital and exciting, too, and lasted a lot longer. So, sit back and enjoy the sounds of Manchester, Belfast, Derry and Huddersfield…