Review: Sex Pistols perform in Adelaide with a new frontman — and energy

A “perfect” music marriage between these UK punk legends and a hardcore hit maker proves old dogs sometimes have new tricks.

The Sex Pistols performing at Hindley St Music Hall in Adelaide. Picture: Justin White

It’s widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time and UK legends Sex Pistols, with a little help from some friends, delivered a punk show for the ages to

celebrate Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols.

This reunion and celebration of the record, however, was much different.

Out was original frontman Johnny Rotten (now a card carrying MAGA prophet who refers to his former band as ‘woke’) and in is Frank Carter, vocalist for 2000s hardcore band Gallows and punk project Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes.

It may just be one of the most perfect musical marriages in recent history.

The Sex Pistols performing at Hindley St Music Hall in Adelaide. Picture: Justin White

The Sex Pistols performing at Hindley St Music Hall in Adelaide. Picture: Justin White

Carter, 40, adds a razor-sharp stage presence that adds a punch to the face to the near 50 year-old hits.

His menacing stage presence drags them kicking and screaming back towards the danger and excitement felt upon their original release.

Hindley St Music Hall was packed to the rafters with rock dogs and punks more akin to grey nomads as original members Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock celebrated the legacy of the once controversial album.

As the backing tape symphony of God Save the Queen rang out and the lights dimmed just north of 10pm the crowd roared as Jones and co. fired off Holidays in the Sun.

From zero to 100, it was a blistering start to a punk show that would cover around half a century of punk history in just over an hour.

The aforementioned Carter shook off any doubters, almost immediately whipping the crowd into a frenzy, bating them into moshing, screaming and even circle pits – all within the first 15 minutes of stage time.

‘I’m only 5’7” but I’ve got 7’5” energy,” he snarled at the audience.

The Sex Pistols performing at Hindley St Music Hall in Adelaide. Picture: Justin White

Launching into the crowd and crowd surfing to the back of the venue, this was probably the most activity some of these punk rock fans have experienced in some time.

“Put your phone away old man..... you’re gonna hurt yourself,” he laughed.

It was not long at all before the iconic Pretty Vacant entered the set, introduced simply and directly by Carter.

“This is the greatest punk rock song ever written......... move.”

Bodies, God Save the Queen and The Stooges No Fun followed and despite the simplicity and age of these songs the importance and power was not lost on the audience who screamed along.

Finishing with a rollicking cover of My Way and the calling card of Anarchy in the UK, it was an evening that was over in a hot loud and sweaty flash – much like their career.

Almost 30 years since their last visit down under, these punk legends are the very definition of quality over quantity, producing only the one studio album, back in 1977.

And for anyone who may have uttered the overused musical maxim that punk rock is dead, well, they haven’t seen this new and brilliant incarnation of Sex Pistols, showing that these old dogs have new tricks.