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On this day, 2 June 1981, new wave legends XTC played Cardiff’s Top Rank with support provided by Lost Touch.
It was to be the group’s final live appearance in the UK.
Lead singer and guitarist Andy Partridge recalled the gig not so flatteringly.
“ Last gig of a tour should have gone perfectly but both of my Amps blow up on stage. Nevertheless, the road crew decided to have their end of tour japes and dumped on my head a sack of confetti during 'Snowman' (Oh! nearly forgot, got myself a rotten electric shock that night as well).”
At the age of 12, Partridge was professionally diagnosed as "hyperactive" and given a prescription of Valium.
He later formed a dependency on the drug that was exacerbated by the pressures of his music career.
After disposing of the drug in 1981, he experienced severe withdrawal effects that led to XTC's withdrawal from touring.
