Sex Pistols Announce 2025 North American Tour Without Johnny Rotten

Legendary punk band returns with Frank Carter as frontman

After a successful UK and European reunion tour, the Sex Pistols have announced their first North American tour since 2003. Original members Steve Jones (guitar), Paul Cook (drums), and Glen Matlock (bass) will be joined by Frank Carter, frontman of Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, on vocals. The tour will kick off on September 16, 2025, at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, TX — the same venue where the Pistols played one of their most notorious shows in 1978.

Tour Highlights

• Debut Album Performance: The band will perform their 1977 punk masterpiece “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” in its entirety, featuring iconic tracks like “Anarchy in the U.K.” and “God Save the Queen.”
• Major Cities: Stops include Philadelphia, Toronto, Cleveland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with the final show on October 16, 2025, at the Hollywood Palladium.
• Tickets: Pre-sale tickets will be available from April 1 to April 3 for fan club members, with general sales starting shortly after through the band’s official website.

Johnny Rotten’s Absence and Fan Reactions

John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) has voiced strong opposition to the reunion, calling it a “karaoke version of the Pistols.” Despite the criticism, Steve Jones emphasized that Carter isn’t replacing Lydon but bringing his own energy to the stage. “This is about reconnecting with the music and fans,” Jones stated.

Frank Carter’s New Energy

Frank Carter’s intense stage presence and punk pedigree have brought fresh energy to the band. Carter, who gained fame with Gallows and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, shared his excitement:
“The Sex Pistols shaped punk. This is about honoring their legacy while making it my own.”

The Legacy of “Never Mind the Bollocks”

Released in 1977, “Never Mind the Bollocks” remains one of the most influential punk albums ever, despite being banned by the BBC. Glen Matlock reflected, “The anger, passion, and rebellion — it’s all still there. Punk is as relevant now as it was then.”

Sex Pistols’ 2025 North American Tour Dates

• September 16 – Longhorn Ballroom – Dallas, TX
• September 23 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
• September 26 – Fillmore – Philadelphia, PA
• September 27 – TBD – Brooklyn, NY
• September 30 – MTELUS – Montreal, QC
• October 1 – History – Toronto, ON
• October 3 – Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH
• October 4 – Fillmore – Detroit, MI
• October 7 – Fillmore – Minneapolis, MN
• October 10 – Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO
• October 13 – Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA
• October 15 – Warfield – San Francisco, CA
• October 16 – Hollywood Palladium – Los Angeles, CA

Additional dates may be announced soon.