The Sex Pistols feat Frank Carter – live at The Royal Albert Hall for Teenage Cancer Trust

Words – Kahmel Farahani

Photos – John Stead

“Can I tell them a story Jonesy?” asks a grinning Frank Carter from the Royal Albert Hall stage. Steve Jones nods and smiles back while Carter continues; “I asked him how he felt about playing The Royal Albert Hall. He went “It’ll be nice to see it”. I went “what?” –  this is his first time in the Albert Hall!”.

The delicious irony of Punk’s greatest anarchists playing The Royal Albert Hall is not lost on anyone, least of all the band themselves. If anything, it makes tonight’s gig feel even more special and it already had plenty of magic involved. To the sound of a classical orchestra, a fully suited Frank Carter took to the stage alongside
Paul Cook, Steve Jones and Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols. Tonight The Pistols are playing for a very special cause; The Teenage Cancer Trust.

 

Launching into ‘Holidays In the Sun,’ every drink in the standing area goes flying and so do more than a few people in the pit. The band blasted through the first three songs back to back before Carter addressed the crowd; “What a privilege and an honour it is to be at this amazing venue with so many incredible people. Thank you very much for coming out. Thank you to the Teenage Cancer Trust; what an amazing cause. Amazing people.”

While Steve Jones, Glen Matlock and Paul Cook may be a bit older and wiser than they were in 1977, they have lost absolutely none of their energy and charm on stage. The Sex Pistols launch into the absolute gem of a deep cut, “Silly Thing”. Straight ahead, big chunky riffs and brilliantly acidic lyrics, it’s the definition of pure rock and roll. The Sex Pistols arguably sound better in 2025 than they ever have before. With their now mythical 70s gigs often being run through the worst PA systems and whatever stage gear to hand, the result was often a sonic mess. Tonight’s gig retains all of the chaotic energy while also having perfect acoustics.

Liar sees Frank Carter diving into the crowd, taking centre place in the mosh and directing the circle pit from the dead centre. The Sex Pistols have found nothing short of the perfect frontman in Carter. With a seemingly endless supply of energy, enthusiasm and downright insanely fearless attitude, Carter delivers these iconic songs flawlessly, and without being a copy of anyone. Carter instructed the crowd to make a circle pit that he wasn’t part of, just so he could see it: “Open the dance floor, you’ll never get to do it again… they don’t allow it at
the ballet.”

The  Sex Pistols kick into their cover of The Stooges classic No Fun. Carter introduces the band, with the biggest cheer of them all going to “the man, the myth, the legend, Mr Steve Jones!“. The fact that Jones is turning 70 soon seems surreal.

As the band return for their encore, Jones and Matlock take a seat on the stage while Carter tells the crowd “Dim the lights and get your phones out. Imagine this is a Coldplay gig, but it’s much better”. With that, Carter starts singing My Way. It’s a joy to hear this one live and the anticipation spills over as the band kick into the fully punk version of the song.

Ending with Anarchy In The UK, the last bit of energy left in the room is being sweated out as fans in the pit go surfing head over heel to the barriers at the front of the Royal Albert Hall. It’s the perfect end to a perfect gig. As the band take their bow and Steve Jones throws his guitar pics into the crowd crowd, it’s comforting to know that authentic punk, rock and roll and live music is far from dead. Long live The Sex Pistols and Frank Carter.

For more information and to donate to the Teenage Cancer Trust: