The Damned Bring 70s UK Punk to LA’s The Wiltern
London’s punk pioneers land in Los Angeles for a one-night show before sold-out Santa Ana!
Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
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La Show Promises Authentic 70s Uk Punk
Under a week now until The Damned and The Adverts roll into Los Angeles for a fun-filled night at The Wiltern bringing some of the authentic sounds of 70s UK punk. The London-based group will headline on May 27, marking their only California date before a sold-out show in Santa Ana the following night. “And with our Santa Ana show the very next night already sold out, this is the only chance to catch us in California, so don’t be daft, grab those remaining tickets while you can,” the band wrote on Instagram. Tickets remain available through the venue’s box office.
Band’s Punk Legacy
Formed in 1976, The Damned are widely recognized as one of the first British punk outfits. Fronted by Dave Vanian, whose gothic vampire persona became iconic, with Captain Sensible on bass and original drummer Rat Scabies, the trio set a blueprint for punk and gothic rock fusion. Their debut single “New Rose” is often cited as the first UK punk release, and 1977’s Damned Damned Damned album landed them in the UK Top 40. Follow-up records like Machine Gun Etiquette (1979) reached the Top 20, showcasing the band’s evolving sound. Over nearly five decades, lineup changes have come and gone, but The Damned’s influence on successive waves of alternative music remains undisputed.
The Wiltern Experience
The Wiltern, an art deco gem in the heart of Koreatown, has hosted legends from Prince to Public Enemy. With its 2,300-seat capacity, the theater strikes a balance between grandeur and intimacy—perfect for punk’s electric immediacy. Fans attending on May 27 can expect iconic tracks such as “Neat Neat Neat,” “Love Song,” and deeper cuts from The Black Album era. General admission tickets start at $45, while VIP packages—priced around $150—include early entry, a commemorative lanyard, and limited-edition vinyl pressed with fresh tour artwork.
Tour Recap And Upcoming Dates
Before arriving in California, The Damned stormed through key markets across North America. April posts documented packed shows in Nashville, Atlanta, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and St. Petersburg, drawing praise for the band’s stage energy. In those updates, they noted, “the kind of shows that make the hours of endless freeway melt away and you remember how much fun playing in a band can be.” Due to high demand, the band has announced a September leg featuring St. Louis (Sept 16), Omaha (Sept 17), Minneapolis (Sept 18), Riot Fest Chicago (Sept 20), Cincinnati (Sept 22), Montreal (Sept 24), Toronto (Sept 25), and the CBGB Festival in New York (Sept 27). Ticket presales have exploded, with some venues issuing low-ticket warnings within hours.
West Coast Welcome And Weather
California has long been fertile ground for The Damned’s U.S. breakthrough, dating back to appearances at L.A.’s Masque and New York’s CBGB. The band’s recent Instagram quip that “glorious weather seems to be beckoning us westward… almost as if taking pity on this bunch of perennial sun deprived limeys,” highlights the tour’s spirit. Following The Wiltern, they play Santa Ana’s Observatory on May 28—a show already sold out. Fans headed north to Seattle or east to Washington D.C. should note that tickets are also running low in those markets.
Inside The Setlist
Insiders say the evening will be a 90-minute showcase, opening with a blistering punk opener like “Problem Child” before navigating through their catalog—from gothic staples like “Shadow of Love” to the rollicking “Smash It Up.” Support comes from The Adverts, whose 1978 single “Gary Gilmore’s Eyes” remains a punk anthem. The co-headline format ensures that early arrivers will catch a solid hour from The Adverts before The Damned storm the stage.
Merch And Memorabilia
Exclusive North American tour merchandise is available at each stop. Offerings include limited-run tees, enamel pins, and a tour program featuring photography by Lauren A. Krohn. A recent Instagram snapshot by Krohn captures the band mid-strum under purple stage lights, emphasizing the raw energy fans can expect.
As May’s West Coast run kicks off, The Damned reaffirm their place as punk pioneers. This night at The Wiltern not only pays homage to the era that sparked a global movement but also proves that, nearly 50 years on, the band still packs a potent musical punch.
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