The Sex Pistols are set to bring their influential punk rock sound back to North American audiences with a series of live performances scheduled for September and October 2026. The legendary band, credited with defining the punk movement of the late 1970s, will be joined on stage by Frank Carter, who will take on lead vocals in place of original frontman Johnny Rotten.
This tour marks a major return for the group after their 2025 plans were halted when guitarist Steve Jones suffered a wrist injury. Now back in action, Jones has assured fans that he is healthy enough to perform. He will play alongside longtime bandmates Paul Cook on drums and Glen Matlock on bass. The group’s appearances will take them to a variety of venues across the United States and Canada, celebrating their famous album “Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols.”
Fans can expect energetic renditions of the album’s classic tracks, including “God Save The Queen,” “Pretty Vacant,” “Holidays in the Sun,” “Bodies,” and “Anarchy In The U.K.” Recent live shows in other countries have received positive reviews for Carter’s intense stage presence, which brings a fresh but faithful energy to the band’s signature rebellious style. Concertgoers have noted how the group’s live music continues to feel raw, chaotic, and compelling decades after their original rise to fame.
While Johnny Rotten will not participate in this tour due to ongoing differences among former bandmates, he remains active in music, touring with Public Image Ltd. in Europe. To mark their recent history and connect with fans, the Sex Pistols also released three live albums capturing performances from their 1978 U.S. tour, available as collectible vinyl editions.
Interest in the band remains high, with author Christopher Innes recently publishing a book of essays examining the Sex Pistols’ impact on punk rock and wider culture. Innes explores topics such as the group’s approach to authenticity, their rejection of mainstream rock conventions, and the challenges of studying their past without direct contact after nearly fifty years. The enduring fascination with the Sex Pistols highlights their ongoing influence both musically and culturally, as a new era of fans prepares to see them live once again.
