Mind the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter Play Glasgow’s O2
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By Ally Collingham
The world’s most famous punk band will play the O2 in Glasgow, this December, as part of a UK tour to celebrate 50 years in the industry. The band will feature original Sex Pistol members Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock, with lead vocalist Frank Carter of Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes.
Carter replaces the original lead singer, John Lydon, who strictly denies in an interview with the Independent that he would ever rejoin the band. Lydon said: ‘Let them wallow in Walt Disney woke expectations.’
The Anarchy in the UK tour is set to mark five decades since the controversial release of their epic hit track ‘God Save The Queen’ in ’77. The original line up of the band played a pivotal role in the formation of the punk rock genre and the members, music, image, lyrics with even release dates cloaked in controversy.
Originally called ‘No Future’ the band chose to release their single during Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations and use a defaced image of the Queen as their record cover. Its updated title then mocked the UK’s national anthem, while the lyrics critique the British Monarchy and give a voice to the discontented working class during a time of social upheaval.
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Banning the song, BBC and other radio stations regulated by the Independent Broadcast Authority said: ‘It is in gross bad taste.’ High street shops Boots, WHSmith and Woolworths declined to sell it. Despite this, their music climbed up the charts and they began to grow a huge fan following.
The original band line up last played in Scotland in ’96 at the Glasgow SECC. However, they might remember their gig at Dundee College of Technology’s Union better in ’76, as Matlock said: ‘People just began throwing bottles at us and we had to go offstage.’
There is something fundamentally punk about both Scotland, us Scottish and our relationship with the genre feels quite natural. The O2 as a venue provides a middle ground, it is not too big to feel impersonal and has the capacity for a good crowd. This combination of Scotland and punk should make for a great gig when they play on 10 December 2026.