Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols
20th September 2024
Nottingham Rock City Reviewed
The Bush Hall shows had exceeded expectations.
The thrill of hearing those songs delivered by the Pistols touched those present in ways few could have anticipated. I don't think any of us thought we'd hear them again. The absence of John gave us a different dynamic, there was no way of avoiding that, but crucially the crowd took to Frank's energetic and joy-filled performance.
The vibe of the fundraising Bush Hall gigs was always likely to be positive, but what it also proved was the demand and viabilty of the band to give us more. So it came as little surprise that another batch of dates was announced, but this was the real test, taking the show away from the capital and guaging the reaction throughout the UK.
For that reason I felt it important to witness the first of these sold out shows. 2000 fans were packed into Nottingham Rock City on a Friday night. The age range was surprising, there were plenty of younger punters present for whom this would be the first experience of the 'Sex Pistols'. They didn't have to wait long either, as a curfew of 10pm (Rock City converts to a night club), meant the band took the stage at 8.30 to the strains of The God Save The Queen Symphony. They were met with a tsunami of enthusiasm and Holidays In The Sun kicked off the set.
I've read comments here and there condeming Frank for not being John. These tend to come from those who've not seen the band live. You'll be hard pressed to find anyone leaving a show disappointed with the power of his performance. Frank injects his own personality and boundless energy into the band, and it's impossible not to take to the guy. It's clear he can't believe his own good fortune in getting the gig and this adds to the obvious joie de vivre he brings to the proceedings.
As for the Pistols' performance, if Bush Ball was triumphant, out here in the sticks they've taken it to another level. All the anxieties were exorcised at the Bush Hall shows and this non-London debut was free of those sneering types who inhabit those 'prestigious' events. Success can truly be measured in the provinces. Glen, Paul and Steve delivered wave upon wave of glorious bone shaking sound and the response eclipsed that of Bush Hall with the rowdy and raucous fans going, well, nuts. The 16 song set was obviously similar to before, a celebration of Never Mind The Bollocks, although this time we had the welcome additions of Silly Thing and My Way, both post-Lydon songs of course. The former is such a well loved sing-along it was lapped up by the crowd and it was good to hear it make its debut as part of a Sex Pistols set. My Way started the two-song encore and Steve's spine tingling opening refrain remains unmistakable, before Glen and Paul kick in with their musical muscle. Frank made the wise choice to stick to the original lyrics thereby avoiding the Sid comparisons. Anarchy In The UK brought the evening to a close, fittingly it was the crowd participation version. The feelgood factor was omnipresent and I guess that is what these gigs are all about. The Party Pistols. It's a celebration, one we thought we'd never get. It's a celebration that's continuing to grow. Let's all enjoy.
Phil Singleton September 2024
Bush Hall Review >
