ArtistDirect News
Swindon Unveils XhibitA Tribute to XTC on 50th Anniversary of Town Gardens Show
On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Swindon celebrated the 50th anniversary of XTC’s final Town Gardens concert. The festivities featured the debut of XhibitA, a new public sculpture in Queens Park, and a live performance by EXTC, the band formed by former XTC drummer Terry Chambers.
The six‑foot sculpture, commissioned by devoted fans Mike Smith and Graham Carter and backed by South Swindon Parish Council, bears a prominent engraving of the band’s name. Unveiled at Queens Park—a Grade II listed central venue—around noon under a clear sky, it attracted roughly fifty attendees, including visitors from London, Paris, and North Carolina.
Swindon's civic leaders were in attendance: Mayor Cllr Neil Hopkins, MP and Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, and the transport secretary. Hopkins remarked that the town was proud to honour XTC, citing the band’s role in putting Swindon on the global music map. Alexander called the sculpture “stunning” and highlighted XTC’s cultural impact, likening the band’s influence to that of the railways on Swindon's economy.
Former XTC guitarist Dave Gregory, who performed with the band from 1979 to 1999, described the monument as an honour. “I’m honoured by it, it’s totally unexpected. It’s nice to have something like this to recognise the band. Many people around the world know Swindon as the place XTC came from,” he said.
A highlight of the day was EXTC’s live set. Featuring former XTC drummer Terry Chambers, the group played the band’s catalogue for the first time since XTC ceased touring in 1982. Fans appreciated the performance, which spanned XTC’s journey from punk roots to the sophisticated pop of the 1980s.
The tribute coincided with Swindon’s bid to be named UK City of Culture for 2028. The XhibitA sculpture and the EXTC performance were framed as components of the town’s broader cultural programme, aimed at showcasing Swindon’s artistic heritage and its ongoing contribution to the national music scene.
Other attendees included long‑time fans Elizabeth Russo, who flew in from Paris, and Tricia, a local Swindon resident. They had met through a Facebook fan group and expressed excitement at seeing the sculpture. Matt and Alexander Thomas, a father‑son duo from London, and Lynn Heisel and Dave Hartman from North Carolina, also travelled to Swindon to witness the unveiling.
Steve Warren, a former XTC sound engineer and Swindon native, described the tribute as “fantastic.” He recalled that the town had previously honoured the band with a mural in Old Town.
Formed in 1972, XTC built a cult following with albums like Skylarking and Oranges & Lemons. Their final Town Gardens show, on July 18, 1976, remains a landmark in Swindon’s music history. The XhibitA sculpture and the EXTC performance serve as a contemporary reminder of the band’s enduring influence.
The event ended with a brief ceremony, after which the sculpture was installed in Queens Park for public viewing. Local media covered the unveiling and performance, and fans shared images on social media, though the details remain unverified beyond the official statements.
The XhibitA sculpture now stands permanently in Queens Park, and Swindon’s community continues to celebrate XTC’s legacy as part of its bid for the 2028 City of Culture title.
The six‑foot sculpture, commissioned by devoted fans Mike Smith and Graham Carter and backed by South Swindon Parish Council, bears a prominent engraving of the band’s name. Unveiled at Queens Park—a Grade II listed central venue—around noon under a clear sky, it attracted roughly fifty attendees, including visitors from London, Paris, and North Carolina.
Swindon's civic leaders were in attendance: Mayor Cllr Neil Hopkins, MP and Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, and the transport secretary. Hopkins remarked that the town was proud to honour XTC, citing the band’s role in putting Swindon on the global music map. Alexander called the sculpture “stunning” and highlighted XTC’s cultural impact, likening the band’s influence to that of the railways on Swindon's economy.
Former XTC guitarist Dave Gregory, who performed with the band from 1979 to 1999, described the monument as an honour. “I’m honoured by it, it’s totally unexpected. It’s nice to have something like this to recognise the band. Many people around the world know Swindon as the place XTC came from,” he said.
A highlight of the day was EXTC’s live set. Featuring former XTC drummer Terry Chambers, the group played the band’s catalogue for the first time since XTC ceased touring in 1982. Fans appreciated the performance, which spanned XTC’s journey from punk roots to the sophisticated pop of the 1980s.
The tribute coincided with Swindon’s bid to be named UK City of Culture for 2028. The XhibitA sculpture and the EXTC performance were framed as components of the town’s broader cultural programme, aimed at showcasing Swindon’s artistic heritage and its ongoing contribution to the national music scene.
Other attendees included long‑time fans Elizabeth Russo, who flew in from Paris, and Tricia, a local Swindon resident. They had met through a Facebook fan group and expressed excitement at seeing the sculpture. Matt and Alexander Thomas, a father‑son duo from London, and Lynn Heisel and Dave Hartman from North Carolina, also travelled to Swindon to witness the unveiling.
Steve Warren, a former XTC sound engineer and Swindon native, described the tribute as “fantastic.” He recalled that the town had previously honoured the band with a mural in Old Town.
Formed in 1972, XTC built a cult following with albums like Skylarking and Oranges & Lemons. Their final Town Gardens show, on July 18, 1976, remains a landmark in Swindon’s music history. The XhibitA sculpture and the EXTC performance serve as a contemporary reminder of the band’s enduring influence.
The event ended with a brief ceremony, after which the sculpture was installed in Queens Park for public viewing. Local media covered the unveiling and performance, and fans shared images on social media, though the details remain unverified beyond the official statements.
The XhibitA sculpture now stands permanently in Queens Park, and Swindon’s community continues to celebrate XTC’s legacy as part of its bid for the 2028 City of Culture title.