It was hot even before the band came on and wow, the packed 400 capacity venue was roasting by the end. The reception as the band took to the stage dressed in black was equally as hot and sent out a clear message; everyone here wanted it to succeed. Now it was over to the 'Sex Pistols'. Paul gave a cheery "hello, good evening and welcome" and the familiar thud of Holidays In The Sun began. As did the mayhem. Frank, sporting a pair of 3D style glasses, launched himself into proceedings with a guttural "cheap holiday in other people's misery" as the music erupted around him. No matter how many times you've seen the Pistols, actually hearing Glen, Paul and Steve together live fills you with a feeling that's hard to put into words. Only while you are in the moment does the exhilaration become tangible. The excitement on the opening night was off the scale and it felt a privilege to be present. This was in part due to Frank himself. I had never seen him live before, but he oozed energy throughout the set. "I'm having the time of my life" he confirmed part way through. He seemed on top of the world, as well as on top of the crowd and he walked fearlessly into and onto the audience, disappearing out of sight during Bodies. He whipped up more mayhem throughout Satellite causing the band to wonder where the hell he had gone, and so bringing the song to an unorthodox end. "Early days" quipped Steve, not that it mattered, it all added to the spectacle and emotion of the event. Glen was focused yet relaxed throughout, with the occasional smile betraying his own thoughts - he knew it was a triumph.

By the end of the night the feeling was euphoric with an undercurrent of relief. The three Pistols had taken a chance by making the decision to play these shows. The stakes had been high but their courage was rewarded. The idea of the Sex Pistols without Johnny still sounds bizarre. The key to it working was the acceptance by those present that Johnny wasn't going to be there. There was no deception, plus it was the opportunity to celebrate one of the greatest albums of all time with the band itself. Almost half a century after the album's release, that's not to be sniffed at. The person standing next to me summed it up best one song in; "Amazing!" Few would disagree, I think we were all taken aback.

On the second night the pressure seemed off a little. Frank was nursing a slight sore throat but there was no evidence of this on stage. For the debut show he was pumped, tonight he had an extra layer of belief. He'd swapped his black vest for a white shirt and let loose in the same dramatic fashion as before. He ended up in the crowd again during Satellite, only this time to kick off a 'circle pit', a speciality of his I believe. The band had adapted to the chaos that the song caused on the first night and kept it going neatly between the three of them until Frank was done.

If you get the chance to see Frank Carter with the Sex Pistols, throw away any cynicism, and go and enjoy those amazing songs live. How can you not? Glen Matlock, Paul Cook and Steve Jones together - that's worth its own weight in gold. To experience the sound that defined a generation, a sound that no other three musicians can replicate, can never be bettered. Like catching lightning in a bottle. Frank's no slouch either.

We also ought not to overlook the purpose of the gigs - it was an undisputed success. Everyone attending contributed, included the band who gave their services for free. Remember the Christmas Day 1977 fundraiser for striking firemen? The Sex Pistols' charitable leanings have never gone away.