Pretty Vacant: The Story of Punk and New Wave – Usher Hall

Punk was never about perfection, and Pretty Vacant – The Story of Punk and New Wave definitely stuck to that ethos. Hitting the stage at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on the 28th of January, the show set out to celebrate one of the most rebellious, game-changing movements in music history. And while the music absolutely delivered, the rest of the production felt a little basic—fun, but not quite as explosive as it could have been.

The best thing about the night was, hands down, the setlist. From The Sex Pistols and The Clash to Blondie and The Ramones, the show was packed with classics. Hearing God Save the Queen and London Calling live—well, as live as a tribute show gets—still gave me chills. And when they launched into Blondie’s Heart of Glass, it was a perfect shift into the smoother, more experimental side of New Wave. The performers clearly loved what they were doing, and their energy was infectious. Even if they weren’t the original artists, they put real heart into the performances.

Kevin Kennedy (yes, Curly Watts from Coronation Street!) narrated the whole thing, taking us through the story of Punk and New Wave from its scrappy beginnings to its mainstream explosion. He was actually great—witty, warm, and clearly enjoying himself. His presence made the show feel more like a personal storytelling session rather than just a collection of songs, which was a nice touch.

That said, I couldn’t help but feel like the production itself was a bit… bare. The stage design was simple—maybe too simple. Punk is raw and gritty, sure, but that doesn’t mean the visuals have to be dull. A few projections and lighting effects helped set the mood, but there wasn’t much beyond that. It felt like a missed opportunity to really bring the era to life.

The dance sequences also left me a bit underwhelmed. I get that Punk isn’t about polished choreography, but some of the movement felt like it was there just to fill space rather than add anything meaningful to the performance. A bit more chaos and unpredictability might have suited the music better.

One thing that really stood out, though, was the audience. It was a total mix—some people were fully getting into it, singing along and dancing, while others seemed to treat it more like a gig, chatting loudly during the narration. That was a bit frustrating, to be honest. Kennedy was doing a great job setting the scene, but at times, it was hard to focus with so much background noise. That said, seeing so many people in their Dr Martens, leather jackets, and band tees made it clear that this music still means a lot to people!

At the end of the day, Pretty Vacant was a fun night out. The music was brilliant, the performances were full of passion, and the atmosphere (for the most part) was great. But I can’t say it completely blew me away. It felt more like a solid tribute gig than a full theatrical experience. If you love Punk and New Wave, you’ll have a good time, but if you’re expecting something visually spectacular or groundbreaking, you might be left wanting a bit more.

Reviewer: Nazaret Ranea

Reviewed: 28th January 2025

North West End UK Rating: