A punk rock legend returns to the stage without its famous singer

When it comes to punk rock, the first thing that comes to mind for many fans is the Sex Pistols and their snarky, outspoken lead singer Johnny Rotten (real name John Lydon).

The band released only one studio album, 1977's Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, before quickly burning out and disbanding in early 1978. They reunited for tours in the 1990s and 2000s, but had not played together since 2008. Lydon and his bandmates had fallen out in recent years, largely over legal disputes related to the 2022 FX miniseries Pistol.

So it was surprising to see the Sex Pistols back on stage at London's Bush Hall on Tuesday… without Lydon.

Frank Carter, who has performed with the Gallows and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, took over vocal duties, joining the three original Pistols members of drummer Paul Cook, guitarist Steve Jones and bassist Glen Matlock, reports loudwire.com. The band played the entire “Bollocks” album, including “God Save the Queen” (changed to “King” on Tuesday), “Anarchy in the UK” and “Pretty Vacant.”

It was the first of three planned benefit concerts for the reunion, reported conclusion.net. The band later announced a fourth concert in London in September.

“I'm having the time of my life here,” Carter said during the show, according to Consequel. About 400 people were in the small venue.