In what we know is already set to be another show to remember, UK artist Frank Carter is bringing members of the original Sex Pistols lineup back to Manchester to play their legendary debut album, Never Mind the Bollocks, in full and it’s happening sooner than you think.
The former Gallows member turned frontman for his self-titled outfit, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, is at the forefront of the contemporary punk genre and is about as close to an old-school rockstar as you’ll find on the modern scene.
However, following the massive success of these shows, the band have now decided to book a few more gigs and now, with the help of Frank (minus his snakes), will be playing one of the most iconic records of all time from start to finish – well, sort of…
With original bassist Glen Matlock – who was replaced by Sid Vicious and then returned after his death – drummer Paul Cook and guitarist Steve Jones all returning to the lineup, 40-year-old musician and tattooist isn’t just filling in, he’s helped get them back on tour and in the public consciousness.
ADVERTISEMENT
Up there with The Rolling Stones, Ramones, The Clash; Sonic Youth, The Velvet Underground, The Who and others who would be considered amongst the most influential rock bands in history, the significance of their return to Manchester, in particular, isn’t lost on us audiophiles and lovers of music history either.
In case you were unaware, Manchester was the site of the Sex Pistols‘ very first gig outside of London back in 1976, when the frenetic four-piece played what was then known as the Lesser Free Trade Hall on Peter Street right here in the city centre, now The Edwardian Hotel and Peter St Kitchen.
ADVERTISEMENT
Considered by many as ‘the gig that changed the world‘ and resulting in the famous claim and muso phrase ‘I was there’, a line that even went on to serve as the title of the book by David Nolan, it helped influence countless artists to come.
For example, other people who were in the crowd that night included Ian Curtis, Peter Hook and Bernard Summer of Joy Division and New Order, Morrissey of The Smiths; Manchester music and nightlife mogul Tony Wilson, Manc punk icon John the Postman, as well as members of The Buzzcocks and The Fall.
Despite there only being a rumoured 40 or so people in the room that night, the noise they made and the impact it had makes it one of the most important moments in music history, so how big a deal it is having them back out on stage isn’t lost on anyone – certainly not a lifelong fan like Frank Carter.
As for Rotten, 68, he has remained in a feud with the existing members for years, namely around the rights to the music, and is said to be “furious” over this latest reunion.
But that’s a big part of what punk was always about, isn’t it? Doing what you want and p*ssing a few people off along the way.
Speaking on the announcement, Jones said: “There was an overwhelming response on social media from fans asking to play different parts of the country. So guess what? It will be done. We will be tighter than a rat’s a*** by the time we get to Kentish Town.”
Frank Carter and the three Sex Pistols members are set to play Manchester Academy 1 on Tuesday, 24 September and while they won’t necessarily be doing NMTB in order, they will be playing it in full. What a time to be alive.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, 23 August at 9am and saying they’re going to absolutely fly is the understatement of the century. You can grab yours HERE. This is going to be a night to remember and then some.
Featured Images — Press Image/Dom Martin (supplied)
Audio
The Prodigy announce HUGE gigs at The Warehouse Project this year
Thomas Melia
EDM band The Prodigy are bringing their electronic punk and big beats to the crowds of Manchester this December.
As The Warehouse Project kicks off a great series of gigs with its 2024 opening season, what a way to make it even better than with not one, but two The Prodigy headline dates.
The Disrupta Tour 2024 sees the Essex-formed band stopping off in Bridlington first before taking on the mighty 10,000-capacity crowd at The Warehouse Project in Manchester for two nights.
They are no stranger to the clubbers’ paradise as The Prodigy have performed at the prestigious event in 2019 and are now returning to the immense venue in December.
Known for their singles like ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Breathe’ the crowd is in for an electric night of high-energy raving and rocking as they perform tracks taken from their many hit-packed albums.
Taking to The Warehouse Project stage on Saturday 14 December and Sunday 15 December, crowds are treated to a weekend of live music from The Prodigy that is guaranteed to be unforgettable.
They sure know how to control a crowd, after all Manchesterhas been a staple tour stop for the iconic act since they first debuted in the 90’s, and they have played a collection of live music venuesacross the city.
What’s even more special, besides the fact they’re returning to Manchester, is the Sunday 15 December show at The Warehouse Project is a late curfew. The band are continuing the party til 1am for lucky guests who just can’t get enough of the EDM tracks.
For the last shows of the year, this musical act is ready to bring the heat. The band are merging their signature sounds of electric rock and rave anthems to create a show that will blow your mind.
Liam Howlett, the group’s co-founder and leader, is stoked too, saying: “We will be there armed with a sonically fresh attack. Let it disrupt ya…”.
Tickets to The Prodigy’s The Disrupta Tour 2024, including their shows at The Warehouse Project, go on fan presale, 19 September at 10am and general sale on 20 September at 10am – get your tickets here.
The Prodigy 2024 tour dates
Friday 13 Dec – Bridlington Spa, Bridlington
Saturday 14 Dec – The Warehouse Project, Manchester*
Morrissey: Johnny Marr now has ‘100%’ of The Smiths rights to tour without him – and one potential replacement is trending
Danny Jones
Morrissey has come out to claim that former bandmate Johnny Marr now holds all the rights to The Smiths and their music, even stating that he can now go on and tour without him – and there’s already a very big name being floating around for his replacement.
Yes, as per Mr ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ himself, the co-songwriter and lead guitarist recently acquired “100% trademark rights/intellectual property” despite Morrisey himself having coined the “musical unit name ‘The Smiths’ in May 1982.”
It is said that this application was secured without any consultation from the former frontman or any chance to object on the 65-year-old’s part.
Although the fellow Manc music legend himself is yet to come out and comment on the reports made on the official Morrissey Central website, fans are already speculating whether Marr is gearing up to head out on tour, the internet was quick to drum up what many are calling the ideal stand-in for a singer.
If there is any justice in the world, Marr will immediately tour with Rick Astley as the new Smiths’ front man and I for one will be at the front of the queue for tickets. https://t.co/Pg8LPe35TV
Though it might have seemed a slightly mad suggestion a few years ago, there are literally tonnes of accounts and music fans from all over calling for Rick Astley to be called in as a replacement frontman should Marr actually end up taking The Smiths back out on tour.
The ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ singer and Lancashire-born 80s pop star has been enjoying what we’ve affectionately referred to as the ‘Rick-naissance’ over the past few years, playing main stage slots at the likes of Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Bestival and continuing to release new music.
Going on to not only become friends with the group but reiterate what an incredible singer he is – covering classics such as ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’, ‘This Charming Man’ and even the likes of ACDC to tens of thousands on the Pyramid Stage – he’s quietly become one the UK’s favourite all-round performers once again.
That being said, it’s safe to say some people have other thoughts on the suggestion; many believe Marr wouldn’t be interested in doing it, others were aghast at the suggestion or some offered a much easier alternative that’s already proven to be a more than viable option…
People suggesting Johnny Marr should tour as The Smiths with Rick Astley as vocalist. Fuck off. FUCK OFF.
Nevertheless, there seem to be many more people in the pro-Astley camp than there are in the anti, with one user writing, “Johnny Marr, Rick Astley is waiting by the phone!”, and another in America adding: “If Marr tours Smiths songs with Rick Astley in the US, I’m going to every date in the south.”
As explained in the full post entitled, ‘The Plot Thickens’, Morrissey and his representation said that not only can Marr “now tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice” but doing so will also “also prohibit Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying [him] considerable financial livelihood.”
The plot thickens indeed but, for now, there’s nothing concrete to any of this talk beyond what Morrissey has claimed regarding trademark rights and what a lot of fans would clearly love to see: some kind of The Smiths’ comeback tour featuring Marr and the mighty Rick Astley.
Hey, who knows? We’ve finally got an Oasis reunion and much stranger things have happened – and we’re talking just this week alone…
No backing, no label, all @TheReytons — with a little bit of @GNev2 now too, apparently… 👀