A quick set of parish notices, or updates, they do feel like they were from the same parish as we find ourselves in, it might even be that the first time we ever came to this part of East London was to talk to some of them (one day we’ll write that book…)
Throbbing Gristle – Cosey Fanni Tutti, Chris Carter, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (1950-2020) and Peter ‘Sleazy’ Christopherson (1955-2010) – activated 50 years ago, and an incendiary live performance followed on 18 October 1976, part of their Prostitution exhibition at the ICA.
The exhibition and performance caused a tabloid furore. Headlines – “MP’s fury at porn palace” (Daily Mirror) and “Bust-up at Gallery of Porn” (Daily Express) – followed, with the Conservative MP Nicholas Fairbairn going on stand up in Parliament and famously dub Throbbing Gristle “wreckers of civilisation”.
TG50 – which will mark the anniversary on Sunday 18 October 2026 – will see the ICA open from 12pm midday for Throbbing Gristle fans to gather, listen to TG in the main theatre, and share stories of the band and their importance to them.
Due to demand, extra tickets for the Chris & Cosey in conversation with Luke Turner will go onsale today, alongside a second film screening (the Heathen Earth screening is now sold out) which will be of Throbbing Gristle – Live at Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, 29th May 1981, the band’s final performance before the mission was first terminated in 1981, at 8pm.
In addition, a new range of merch will be launching on that day, and Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti will be at a signing table from 4pm. As well as seven new Throbbing Gristle t-shirts (priced at £25 each), there will be two limited edition items, exclusively available on that day: TGLP50 is an edition of 50 lathe-cut copies of the Throbbing Gristle live performance at the ICA 18th October 1976 (priced at £200 each), and there will be an edition of 70 t-shirts with the TG score card for the ICA performance (priced at £35 each). First come, first served!
Chris Carter & Cosey Fanni Tutti in conversation (limited tickets here)
Throbbing Gristle – Live at Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, 29th May 1981 screening (tickets here)
Throbbing Gristle formed in 1975, and for the next six years they fully delivered on punk’s failed promise to explore extreme culture as a way of sabotaging systems of control. During that time, they released crucial records such as The Second Annual Report Of Throbbing Gristle (1977), D.O.A The Third And Final Report Of Throbbing Gristle (1978), and 20 Jazz Funk Greats (1979).
From 2004, they embarked on a series of live performances that included the Coachella and Primavera festivals, Tate Modern, and Heaven, and returned to the studio to produce several albums, including TG Now (2004), and Part Two: The Endless Not (2007), as well as a 3-day “studio installation” at the ICA in June 2007 before disbanding in 2010. Their impact on music, culture and the arts has been immeasurable, and still felt today across music, film, theatre, and fine art.
As well as the 50th anniversary, 18 October will also see the launch of TG24+, a new limited edition USB box set that contains 36 Throbbing Gristle live performances, newly mastered and restored by Chris Carter, and set for release on 4 December 2026. Register for interest here.
TG50 takes place at the ICA on 18 October – more info here
