Anarchy Tour: Britain's 1977 Punk Moral Panic

The episode unpacks the ill‑fated Anarchy Tour, the bands that crammed a battered coach into Norwich, Newcastle and other UK cities, and how local authorities, media outlets and police stoked a national moral panic. We explore how the cancellations forged an underground touring network, the rise of fanzines and DIY distribution, and the cultural backlash that shaped punk’s legacy. Through evidence from contemporary reports, fanzine accounts and band histories we trace the tension between art and commerce that made this tour a pivotal moment in punk history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices