Blab Music
Swindon Unveils XhibitA Tribute to 80s Band XTC on 50th-Anniversary of Final Town Gardens Show
On Saturday 18 July 2026, Swindon celebrated the 50th anniversary of XTC’s last performance at the Town Gardens Bowl by unveiling a permanent public artwork, XhibitA, in Queens Park. The event drew fans from across the UK, France, the United States and the Caribbean, as well as local dignitaries and members of the band’s former touring crew.
The unveiling took place at midday in Queens Park, a Grade II listed public space in the centre of the town. The six‑foot sculpture, commissioned by long‑time Swindon supporters Mike Smith and Graham Carter, features a large engraved rendering of the band’s name. The project received approval from South Swindon Parish Council in April 2026 and was funded by a combination of private donations and local government support.
Former XTC guitarist Dave Gregory attended the ceremony and described the monument as an honour to the band’s legacy. “I’m honoured by it, it’s totally unexpected. It’s nice to have something like this to recognise the band,” Gregory said. He added that XTC has become a link from Swindon to the rest of the world, noting that many people worldwide associate Swindon with the band.
Swindon mayor Councillor Neil Hopkins welcomed the tribute, saying the town was proud to host an event that recognises XTC’s contribution to local culture. “I am delighted to host an event to recognise XTC,” Hopkins said. He highlighted the timing of the unveiling, noting that Swindon is a candidate for the UK City of Culture 2028.
Transport Minister and Swindon MP Heidi Alexander also attended. Alexander praised the scale of XTC’s cultural impact on Wiltshire, calling the installation “high‑quality” and stating that the band is “the musical equivalent of what the railways were to Swindon’s economy.” She added that the sculpture would be a source of pride for the town.
The day’s celebrations were punctuated by a performance from EXTC, a band formed by XTC’s original drummer Terry Chambers. EXTC played the XTC catalogue live for the first time since the original group stopped touring in 1982. The set was a highlight for the 50‑plus attendees, many of whom had travelled long distances to witness the tribute.
Fans in attendance included Elizabeth Russo, who flew from Paris, and Tricia, who joined her through a Facebook fan group. Both expressed enthusiasm for the event, with Russo describing her experience as “strange” and noting her long‑standing admiration for the band’s varied albums.
Visitors from the United States, such as Lynn Heisel and Dave Hartman, arrived from North Carolina and spent several days exploring local attractions before attending the unveiling. They praised the town’s hospitality and the significance of the tribute.
Former XTC sound engineer Steve Warren, a Swindon native who toured with the band for five years, reflected on the town’s past tributes, including a former mural in Old Town, and said that seeing XhibitA “is fantastic.”
The event drew around 50 people to Queens Park, a modest crowd compared to the thousands that attended XTC’s 1976 Town Gardens show. Nonetheless, the gathering underscored the enduring influence of the band, which began in Swindon in 1972 and achieved a cult following through the 1970s and 1980s.
XTC, formed by Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory and Terry Chambers, released ten studio albums between 1979 and 1992. After 1982’s English Settlement, the band ceased touring and became a studio‑only project. The band’s music has been cited as an influence on Britpop and later power‑pop acts.
XhibitA now stands as a permanent marker of XTC’s legacy in Swindon. The sculpture is expected to become a focal point for future cultural events, including the town’s bid for City of Culture 2028. No further concerts or releases by the original members are announced at this time.
The unveiling of XhibitA marks a significant moment for Swindon’s cultural heritage, recognising the impact of a band that helped put the town on the global music map.
The unveiling took place at midday in Queens Park, a Grade II listed public space in the centre of the town. The six‑foot sculpture, commissioned by long‑time Swindon supporters Mike Smith and Graham Carter, features a large engraved rendering of the band’s name. The project received approval from South Swindon Parish Council in April 2026 and was funded by a combination of private donations and local government support.
Former XTC guitarist Dave Gregory attended the ceremony and described the monument as an honour to the band’s legacy. “I’m honoured by it, it’s totally unexpected. It’s nice to have something like this to recognise the band,” Gregory said. He added that XTC has become a link from Swindon to the rest of the world, noting that many people worldwide associate Swindon with the band.
Swindon mayor Councillor Neil Hopkins welcomed the tribute, saying the town was proud to host an event that recognises XTC’s contribution to local culture. “I am delighted to host an event to recognise XTC,” Hopkins said. He highlighted the timing of the unveiling, noting that Swindon is a candidate for the UK City of Culture 2028.
Transport Minister and Swindon MP Heidi Alexander also attended. Alexander praised the scale of XTC’s cultural impact on Wiltshire, calling the installation “high‑quality” and stating that the band is “the musical equivalent of what the railways were to Swindon’s economy.” She added that the sculpture would be a source of pride for the town.
The day’s celebrations were punctuated by a performance from EXTC, a band formed by XTC’s original drummer Terry Chambers. EXTC played the XTC catalogue live for the first time since the original group stopped touring in 1982. The set was a highlight for the 50‑plus attendees, many of whom had travelled long distances to witness the tribute.
Fans in attendance included Elizabeth Russo, who flew from Paris, and Tricia, who joined her through a Facebook fan group. Both expressed enthusiasm for the event, with Russo describing her experience as “strange” and noting her long‑standing admiration for the band’s varied albums.
Visitors from the United States, such as Lynn Heisel and Dave Hartman, arrived from North Carolina and spent several days exploring local attractions before attending the unveiling. They praised the town’s hospitality and the significance of the tribute.
Former XTC sound engineer Steve Warren, a Swindon native who toured with the band for five years, reflected on the town’s past tributes, including a former mural in Old Town, and said that seeing XhibitA “is fantastic.”
The event drew around 50 people to Queens Park, a modest crowd compared to the thousands that attended XTC’s 1976 Town Gardens show. Nonetheless, the gathering underscored the enduring influence of the band, which began in Swindon in 1972 and achieved a cult following through the 1970s and 1980s.
XTC, formed by Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory and Terry Chambers, released ten studio albums between 1979 and 1992. After 1982’s English Settlement, the band ceased touring and became a studio‑only project. The band’s music has been cited as an influence on Britpop and later power‑pop acts.
XhibitA now stands as a permanent marker of XTC’s legacy in Swindon. The sculpture is expected to become a focal point for future cultural events, including the town’s bid for City of Culture 2028. No further concerts or releases by the original members are announced at this time.
The unveiling of XhibitA marks a significant moment for Swindon’s cultural heritage, recognising the impact of a band that helped put the town on the global music map.
