The Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter made their Royal Albert Hall debut tonight – Monday 24th March 2025 – kicking off a week of shows for Teenage Cancer Trust.
The band’s journey was played out over the space of three days, with an intense warm-up show (under the name ‘The Spots’) on Friday at London’s legendary 100 Club, followed by an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall, with all its establishment heritage.
The Pistols – Paul Cook, Steve Jones and Glen Matlock = along with new frontman Frank Carter blasted through the seminal album “Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols”, and more.
To the sound of a classical orchestra, a fully suited Frank Carter took to the stage alongside drummer Paul, guitarist Steve and bassist Glen of the Sex Pistols, before launching into “Holidays In The Sun,”.
They sizzled 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.”
From the start, there were circle pits, mass crowd surfing and Frank conducting it all from the stage, in the crowd, on the crowd…. provoking anarchy as “God Save The Queen” finally made it to the Royal Albert Hall. They raged through the likes of “Pretty Vacant”, “Bodies”, “No Fun” and “Satellite”. 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.”
“No Feelings”, “Problems” and “EMI” followed, before an encore of the Sid Vicious version of “My Way”. Franks tells the crowd: “Dim the lights and get your phones out. Imagine this is a Coldplay gig, but it’s much better”. The night ended with “Anarchy In The UK”, crowd surfing en-masse and a deserved standing ovation.
The Molotovs kicked off the night with a razor-sharp set, tapping into a retro mod-rock energy. The three-piece is clearly riding the crest of a wave, with a CV that includes support slots for Blondie and The Libertines. Fronted by sibling duo Matthew and Issey Carts, the London band has even been tipped by Green Day to go all the way.
Following The Molotovs, Hastings’ Kid Kapichi, the band who have been selling out shows across the UK over the past year, delivered a powerful set featuring tracks from their latest album, “There Goes The Neighbourhood.”
The self-described Beat-Punk outfit also took a moment to express their appreciation for Teenage Cancer Trust during their performance. Frontman Jack Wilson said: “It’s an absolute pleasure [to be here today]… It’s such an honour to be here for such an amazing cause. Teenage Cancer Trust, what an amazing group of people. And last but not least, lets give it up for the f*cking Sex Pistols. And Frank Carter, what a good job he’s doing.”
- Royal Albert Hall 2025 Show Dates:
This year’s series runs from March 24th to 30th, including The Who; The Corrs; James Arthur; a special night by Erased Tapes featuring Penguin Cafe; and Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols:
Monday, March 24: Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols plus special guests Kid Kapichi and The Molotovs
Tuesday, March 25: A night of comedy hosted by Micky Flanagan with Scott Bennett, Finlay Christie, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Jack Skipper + Josh Widdicombe
Wednesday, March 26: James Arthur plus special guests Venus Grrrls
Thursday, March 27: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Friday, March 28: The Corrs plus special guests Dea Matrona
Saturday, March 29: Erased Tapes featuring Penguin Cafe, Daniel Brandt, Douglas Dare and Hatis Noit
Sunday, March 30: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Photos by Cara Kealy / Jemma Dodd / John Stead / Derek Bremner [The Molotovs]
