There was something wonderfully incongruous about the fathers of British punk bringing their Final Damnation 50th Anniversary Tour to the Sydney Opera House while My Fair Lady was performing next door. But The Damned have never really been a band that concerned themselves with doing what was expected.
From the opening notes of “Street of Dreams” on September 10, it was obvious this wasn’t going to feel like a farewell. Followed by “Wake the Dead”, the band launched into a set that was energetic, tight and completely alive. These men moved like they were half their age and sounded as strong and sure-footed as they did on those old videos from the ’80s, albeit with a little more restraint on the kohl these days.
For anyone who somehow missed the last 50 years, The Damned formed in London in 1976 and released “New Rose”, the first single by a British punk band, followed by their debut album Damned Damned Damned. They helped ignite the British punk explosion but never stayed neatly in one box, moving through punk, garage rock, psychedelia and gothic rock over five decades. I spoke to Captain Sensible ahead of the tour about that extraordinary history, ageing, live music and why he still takes the stage – you can read the full interview HERE.
The crowd at the Opera House was older, naturally, but there was nothing remotely sedate about it. People were dancing, laughing and looking around as though they couldn’t quite believe they were there. I spoke to people who had seen The Damned in Manchester in 1979 and Brisbane in 1989, while others were following the band from city to city. One person had flown in from the New Zealand show.
Then there was the gentleman in the black tuxedo, cane in hand and a magnificent white mohawk rising from his head. He looked as though he’d dressed for the venue and embodied the band in equal measure. Somewhere else in the Concert Hall, a bloke suddenly took his shirt off and danced with wild abandon. I’m not sure the Opera House has seen that before, but there was something fitting about The Damned being the ones to make it happen.
“The Shadow of Love” and “Stranger on the Town” were particularly muscular, driven by guitar rhythms that sounded incredibly strong. And although many of the songs felt instantly familiar, it wasn’t always because we’d heard The Damned themselves. Their influence has seeped into generations of music, with bands and artists including Billy Idol clearly carrying some of that DNA forward.
Afterwards, “Eloise”, “Making Time” and “Neat Neat Neat” were among the songs people were still talking about. “New Rose” was, of course, a huge moment – a song that has been covered countless times and one that Captain Sensible told me is Chris Martin’s Coldplay soundcheck song.
Then came “White Rabbit”, before the band left the stage and returned for one final, flat-out, enormous finish with “Smash It Up”.
If this really is The Damned’s Final Damnation, they certainly aren’t behaving like a band slowing down. The performance was full of power, passion and impeccable musicianship, delivered with the warmth and mischief of a band that still genuinely loves being on stage.
Let’s hope the damnation can wait a little longer.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Still to come
If you missed Sydney, The Damned are still bringing the Final Damnation 50th Anniversary tour to Australia.
Brisbane – September 11: The Tivoli. Tickets HERE
Melbourne – September 13: Forum. Tickets HERE
Reviewer attended on 10th September 2026
Photos by author
