Gang of Four erupted from Leeds in 1976, fusing punk’s aggression with funk’s driving rhythms and an intellectual edge. Led by guitarist Andy Gill and vocalist Jon King, their sharp, politically charged lyrics targeted consumerism and hypocrisy with surgical precision. Their debut album Entertainment! (1979) shook the post-punk scene, dissecting alienation and capitalism with tracks like Damaged Goods and At Home He’s a Tourist, which became anthems of discontent. Their sound, marked by tense rhythms and percussive, angular guitars, drew on Marxist theory and situationism, influencing countless bands from post-punk revivalists to modern indie rock.
Andy Gill, the band’s founding guitarist and driving force, passed away on February 1, 2020, at 64, due to complications from a respiratory illness. His innovative style shaped generations of artists. Despite lineup changes throughout the years, Gill remained the band’s backbone until his passing, which marked the end of an era for Gang of Four.
And now the clock is winding down, the curtains drawing shut on a 45-year saga. The surviving members of Gang of Four are gearing up for one last ride across North America, delivering Entertainment! front to back, before diving into a second set of fan-favourites.
In Spring 2025, they’ll say their farewells, with dates set for the USA, Canada, and Mexico soon to follow. Jon King’s growl, Hugo Burnham’s beat, and David Pajo’s sharp guitar strings will haunt the stage one final time.
“2025 will be the 45th anniversary of the release of Entertainment! in the US, and will be our final year as a band,” they say. “It’s been wonderful, but all things must end. We want to go out with a bang and celebrate with our fans and friends. So, on what will be our last US tour, we’ll play two sets at each show: Entertainment! from start to finish in the first, and the best of the rest in the second. Come and join in, it’ll be a blast!”
Earlier this month, Matador announced a reissue of the band’s third album, Songs of the Free. Out Friday, October 25th, the album has been remastered from the original tapes by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road, with supervision by Jon King.
Pre-order a copy here.
Tickets will be on-sale starting 10am local venue times on Friday October 4th here.
The Long Goodbye 2025 North American Tour
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