London Punk Band Medusa Release Groundbreaking Concert Film Featuring Marionette and Cartoon Sequences

London-based punk band Medusa have just released a unique, ambitious concert film, Medusa Live in London: The Motion Picture, now available to watch on YouTube. The 23-minute film captures a landmark performance on a boat on the River Thames, and has already attracted attention from the BFI for potential archival and Sky Arts for possible broadcast due to its cultural significance.

What began as a single boat gig evolved into a multi-year project marked by creativity and unforeseen challenges. On the night before filming, the band’s sound engineer canceled, forcing the team to find a replacement capable of handling a full setup on a boat with no equipment. Then, two of the four camera operators overexposed their footage, leaving large gaps in the film. To compensate, the band staged additional shoots at a nuclear bunker in London and at the Dublin Castle in Camden, both of which contributed to the film’s layered visuals despite logistical difficulties.

Faced with further gaps in footage, Medusa’s lead singer and guitarist took a highly unconventional approach: they commissioned a marionette puppet modeled exactly after themselves, complete with a miniature version of their boat gig outfit and a replica guitar. Over six months, the puppet was meticulously constructed and styled, including a mohair jumper, custom hair, and boots. The film also includes a Hanna-Barbera-style animated sequence, following the band members causing chaos around London on the morning of the boat gig.

The resulting film is unlike anything seen before in the punk scene, blending live performance, puppetry, and animation to create a visually inventive and culturally significant document of London’s contemporary music scene. The BFI has recognized its archival potential, and other organizations are exploring further opportunities for the project.

Medusa Live in London: The Motion Picture is searchable on YouTube and available to watch here. Additional behind-the-scenes photos from the various filming events, including the marionette sequences, can be viewed on Flickr.