Frank Carter is more rotten to the core than we realised. Taking to the stage with *the* band undeniably, irrefutably, and indissolubly synonymous with punk music, we’re witnessing history tonight. Never mind the history, here’s the Sex Pistols, a raucous reunion to boot…
FRANK CARTER & THE SEX PISTOLS
Talbot Street was pretty, oh so pretty, anything but vacant. Understandably stretching far further than the considerable mohawks afoot, the queue mingles with a plethora of both Sex Pistols and Rattlesnakes band shirts. Punks of all ages – and all multicoloured heads of hair – waiting for their first glimpse of the names that defined a lot of their lives. With accolades of being the greatest punk album and one of the most important albums of all time, they’re performing their one and only studio album: Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols.
Tonight will be one to remember, particularly given our time capsule of a support band: The Molotovs are truly rejuvenating the sounds of ol’ London town with something more akin to that of modern-day nostalgia. Looking like they’ve shopped in the bygones of I Was Lord Kitchener’s Valet and Dandie Fashions, the brother and sister centered outfit are here to make an impression, and they’ve got the tunes to back them up. Hunkering down in the staccato accent of the bass, suitably psyched back scissor jumps, and those impeccably hounded drum fills, the room is won over.
Our anticipation is palpable, a classical version of God Save The Queen teasing us with anarchic energy. Lightning seems to strike the stage as it’s lit up, revealing an obnoxiously pink and yellow adorned set mimicking the bright album cover. In all their thunderous glory – and arguably aged humbleness – out swagger the Sex Pistols.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE I GET TO DO THIS – PLEASE PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR THE GREATEST F**KING BAND OF ALL TIME!”
From the opening seconds of Holidays In The Sun, one thing is clear. Frank Carter has the hair, he has the anger, he has the same sneering lilt to his half-sung, half-shouted words, yet he isn’t trying to be Johnny Rotten. He’s just having fun singing an album that likely changed his life, alongside the legends that crafted it no less, alongside a just as excited sold-out crowd. How many people can say they’ve seen the original Sex Pistols lineup play together for the first time in nearly 30 years? There’s no need to pinch yourself, the occasional pint cup flying into your face serves as a vivid reminder of where you are.
Cook’s sticks hit the skins of his drum with a tenacity still unmatched, the pushing and shoving only accelerating as he storms into Seventeen. Carter is pacing the stage like a caged leopard, wild eyed and roaring as he itches to climb on the rail of the crowd barrier. His enthusiasm is evident as he’s shouldered against Matlock’s suavity and surety on the bass for New York, and it’s possible to
FRANK CARTER & THE SEX PISTOLS PERFORMED FRIDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER
WORDS: TALIA ROBINSON
ROCK CITY NOTTINGHAM
We’re not only Nottingham’s favourite venue and nightclub – we’re the UK’s best live venue with a rich history of performers that have played here. Punk ain’t dead and Frank Carter proved that with Sex Pistols tonight!
Also while you’re at it, why not check out our gig guide and see if any other of your favourite artists like Sex Pistols are playing soon! We also have our club nights on a Thursday (Tuned), Friday (Get Lucky) and Saturday (Rebel Rebel) so check those out too!
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