Sex Pistols Reignite Punk Spirit At Royal Albert Hall

March 25, 2025

Sex Pistols - Royal Albert Hall - 24 March 2025. Photo: John Stead

When considering this concert I have to admit to being mixed. Firstly, the band. No John Lydon. Secondly, the venue, the Royal Albert Hall, a venue that back in the day would have been absolute anathema for the Sex Pistols to play. For a band who were so infamously anti-establishment then anything with a Royal title would have been absolute antithesis to them. This so goes against the grain.

The Sex Pistols With Frank Carter

Royal Albert Hall, London – 24 March 2025

Words: Adrian Stonley

Photography: John Stead

Yet, we are not in the late ’70s now. We have moved onto 2025, and this concert is in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. For the Sex Pistol’s to play this type of show, then it is clear that they have been accepted by society for the icons they are, whether they like it or not.

Personally, I think the former. It would have been easy to turn this gig down, yet there is something special about being asked to play this type of charity show.

“After an incredible 2024,” Steve Jones said, “we are itching to get going again this year, and what better way than on home territory at a venue that would not have let us near it back in the day? Albert will be turning in his tomb. It’s an honour to help this great charity.”

Then there is the singer. Is this the Pistols or not? Many would argue the latter, no Lydon, no Pistols. Yet Frank Carter of Gallows and Rattlesnakes fame has been at the helm for a year now, having joined the band to play a series of other charity shows, and the general consensus is one of great positivity.

Perhaps this is a Sex Pistols for a new era, a melding of the old punks with the new generation, a Sex Pistols for both young and …..not so young. With the rest of the band being made up of Paul Cook, Steve Jones and Glen Matlock, the band is the pistols in all other ways. Let’s not forget they have been through lineup changes before, and that never took anything away from the history of this band.

So, to the show. For a start, we get the Iconic 1977 album Never Mind The Bollocks and what more fitting venue for this to be undertaken at. The hierarchy will be up in arms!!!

From the moment the Pistols hit the stage it was clear that they had a point to make. We have finally made it to this grand old venue, and by Hell, we are going to rock it to its foundations, make our stamp and ensure everyone knows we were here.

Opening with Holidays In The Sun, the band showed that the old angst and vitriol were still there in spades. With Frank Carter resplendent in a suit and tie, looking more like a city businessman, he brought the appropriate level of sneer and swagger to proceedings. I suppose that if you are going to the Albert Hall, you had better look the part. Though it only took a couple of songs before he was in the midst of the heaving throng, surfing and standing on shoulders whilst firing off hit after hit: Seventeen. Pretty Vacant, Bodies etc.

Silly Thing saw an enormous circle pit open in the stalls area as the heaving fans swarmed together, a joyous combination of ageing punks and their young offspring, all enjoying the spectacle and submerging themselves in the raucous moment.

Unlike the early days, there was no aggro or violence, just a mass of people letting off their inhibitions and having a great time. Admittedly there was less pogoing and more of a mosh pit these days. Perhaps that’s due to the ageing fans knees not being up to it anymore.

With Carter getting down on his knees to bow to the Greatest Punk Band Of All Time, the remaining Pistols now form a very tight musical unit, with Jones riffing and shredding his way through the back catalogue and Matlock and Cook providing the driving engine room of the band on bass and drums.

God Save The Queen was the appropriate sneer fest with Carter providing his inner Rotten and had complete audience participation. No Fun saw the band roll the clock back to the very beginning with a cover of the Iggy and The Stooges number.

The short 55-minute set saw the band close out with a visceral rendition of E.M.I before returning for two encores. First, the classic My Way, a nod to Sid Vicious before driving through the obvious set closer of Anarchy In The U.K. A perfect end to a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Much can be said about the show, but the point driven home by Carter and company throughout the set was the reason for this show is to make money for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.

This was clearly a matter close to the band and the message was strong and clear throughout.

To learn more about the Teenage Cancer Trust, visit TeenageCancerTrust.org. Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall is on from March 24-30. Tickets are available for some shows, including a newly announced night curated by Erased Tapes on Saturday 29th March.