Search God Save The Sex Pistols with freefind
GSTSPs
 


Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols
24th September 2024
Manchester Academy Reviewed
Manchester Academy

The last of the four dates outside of London took place at Manchester Academy in front of over 2 and a half thousand delirious punters.

I say delirious because these gigs have been nuts and this was no exception. There is so much togetherness within this unit it's infectious. That's not to say this version of the Pistols is better than the Lydon-fronted band, that's plainly absurd, but it's just different, and it works. Crucially, it's clear everyone involved wants it to work and is keen to have fun doing so; there's a lot at stake for everyone, including the fans.

I don't wish to repeat my previous reviews, but I will say the further north you go the wilder the crowds seem to get. At times it almost felt out of control. When Frank waded into the crowd during Bodies, the band and singer just managed to keep it together as he was tossed and turned by the moshing throng. He was back at it again with the customary circle pit during Satellite. 'Frankie baby, you staying out there?' asked Steve. He did and the band again had to work hard to maintain No Feelings as Frank was swallowed up once more. This borderline chaos gave a very 'Pistols' feel to it all.

The inclusion of Silly Thing is a clear hit with the fans. Paul introduced it as something 'a bit more lighthearted', but it was far from that. I'd like to hear more Swindle material included, I can think of a couple that would go down a storm.

Manchester Academy

Frank's boundless energy gets mentioned in every review you come across, but it has made a difference, and has de-aged the band. So while Steve can have a sit down playing My Way, there's a ferocious singer simultaneously going crazy up front. Highlights tonight were Seventeen for the crowd reaction, Pretty Vacant for the toughness c/o Glen's bass, and the pairing of Problems and EMI which were particularly explosive in Manchester.

It all passed by in the blink of an eye. The sure sign of a top night. What the future holds for this incarnation isn't yet certain, but it would be a shame to not make further use of that glorious backdrop.

Manchester Academy

Phil Singleton September 2024

Nottingham Review >



© Phil Singleton / www.sex-pistols.org 2024
Photographs & text
all rights reserved. Not to be reproduced without permission.


God Save the Sex Pistols

©God Save The Sex Pistols Phil Singleton / www.sex-pistols.org