The Sex Pistols brought their rebellious spirit to one of London’s most prestigious venues, the Royal Albert Hall, on Monday night, delivering an electrifying performance in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Just days after making a surprise return to the 100 Club—where they first made their mark more than 50 years ago—the legendary punk band took to the stage at the historic 5,000-capacity venue, marking the start of a star-studded series of charity concerts.
From public enemies to punk icons
The gig came after the band’s intimate performance at the 300-capacity Oxford Street venue, where they played under the alias Spots (Sex Pistols On Tour Secretly). The name harks back to the late 1970s when the group was forced to book shows in secrecy to evade police crackdowns following reports of violence and chaos at their gigs.
Once considered public enemy number one, the band’s presence at one of London’s most esteemed venues signified just how far punk’s place in British culture has evolved.
A night of punk anthems
With Frank Carter, lead singer of Rattlesnakes, stepping in for Johnny Rotten (John Lydon), the Sex Pistols delivered a blistering set packed with some of their most iconic tracks.
The crowd erupted as the band launched into anthems such as Pretty Vacant, God Save The Queen, and Holidays In The Sun, embracing the raw energy that first defined punk rock in the late 1970s.
Carter’s fiery stage presence and aggressive vocal delivery captured the rebellious essence of the band, thrilling fans who have followed the Pistols through their tumultuous history.
A tribute to punk’s past
Since reuniting in 2024, guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock have been touring with Carter, reigniting the spirit of the Sex Pistols while respecting their controversial legacy.
Dressed in black, Matlock draped a Queens Park Rangers flag over his amp, proudly representing his beloved football club. The band also performed their raucous cover of The Stooges’ 1969 proto-punk classic No Fun, a staple from their early days.
Fans were also treated to a rendition of the post-Lydon single Silly Thing, and in a heartfelt encore, the band paid tribute to Sid Vicious, their infamous late bass player, with a defiant version of My Way—a song immortalised in the film The Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Swindle and featured on Vicious’ solo album Sid Sings.
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The Sex Pistols’ legacy continues
The band’s Royal Albert Hall gig was a key moment in their recent comeback, following a high-profile legal battle between Lydon and the rest of the group over the use of their songs in Disney+’s Pistol—a miniseries chronicling the Sex Pistols’ history.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Jones, Cook, and Matlock have embraced this new era of the band with Carter at the helm, bringing their music to a new generation of fans.
Following the Teenage Cancer Trust performance, the Sex Pistols are set to embark on a world tour, with dates scheduled in Japan, Australia, and Brazil.
A star-studded charity concert series
The Sex Pistols’ performance kicked off a week of charity gigs in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust, a cause long championed by The Who’s Roger Daltrey.
The concert series will continue with performances from:
- James Arthur on Wednesday
- The Who on Thursday
- The Corrs on Friday
For fans of punk history, the Sex Pistols’ triumphant night at the Royal Albert Hall was a powerful reminder that their spirit of rebellion is still very much alive.
