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…
Credit: Supplied
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
Grammy-winning hardcore band Turnstile perform ‘exceptional’ cover of a Stone Roses classic
Danny Jones
In a cover version we never knew we needed, multiple Grammy award-winning hardcore band Turnstile have taken social media timelines by storm with a cover of a true British rock classic by The Stone Roses.
Described as everything from “pretty damn brilliant” and “exceptional” by CLASH Magazine to “one of the best triplej covers ever”, it’s fair to say they smashed it with this one.
This one was always likely to go down well with us Mancs, but you never know how possessive people are going to be with iconic tunes treasured not just by regions but entire eras like this.
Without further ado, please enjoy Turnstile’s cover of ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ by The Stone Roses:
Lost track of how many times we’ve watched this now.
Truly excellent.
Not only did they manage to capture the ambient atmosphere of that legendary intro, but they managed to tow the thin paint-splattered line between simply trying to imitate the original and making it their own.
There’s something about frontman Brendan Yates’ vocals that suits this particular cover so very well right from the off.
We’re, of course, not saying that he sounds like Ian Brown in any way, but his range and top notes, in particular, seemed to fit almost perfectly.
Pair that with a contemporary rock band helping rejuvenate their particular guitar-driven genre, and those raw, driving D-beat-centric drums, and you’ve got a winning combo.
As you can see, the majority of the internet seems to agree with us…
.@TURNSTILEHC step into the @triplej studio to recover their take on The Stone Roses' debut album opener 'I Wanna Be Adored'.
The bulk of social media didn’t just hail the reimagining as one that did Brown, John Squire, Reni and the late, great Mani justice, but perhaps one of the greatest that the popular Australian radio station, YouTube channel and Spotify playlisters have seen in a long time.
In fact, in Audio North‘s humble opinion, we’d go so far as to say this is the best we’ve heard in the platform since their native Royel Otis’ delightful duo of The Cranberries and Sophie Ellis-Bextor covers.
Safe to say it’s been an incredible year for Turnstile, who mopped up all manner of accolades in 2025 and were even nominated for International Group at the BRITs here in Manchester this past weekend. They might not have won that one, but they get all the plaudits from us for their song selection alone.
What did you make of it? Better still, do you have a favourite triplej ‘Like a Version’? Actually, no – scrap that: is there a better cover of a Manc artist‘s track that you can think of?
Featured Images — triplej (screenshot via YouTube)/Silverstone Records
Audio
Harry Styles One Night Only will be strictly phone-free – with thousands of real cameras handed out instead
Daisy Jackson
Harry Styles’ show in Manchester on Friday night will have a strict no-phones policy, it’s been confirmed.
Instead, the lucky few thousand of fans heading to his One Night Only gig will be handed proper disposable cameras to capture moments from the night.
Rumours of a phone ban had been swirling online for weeks after job adverts appeared for extra staff to help promote a phones-free event.
But the news has now been confirmed by the Co-op Live itself, following the announcement that Netflix would be filming the full Harry Styles show.
In a statement, the venue said it hopes fans will ‘take this opportunity to enjoy the show fully and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the experience’.
Any use of cameras, smart glasses, smart watches, or other recording devices won’t be permitted in the venue on Friday night.
Fans will instead have to secure their phones inside recyclable bags, which will allow them to be used in normal ways for communications, but without the camera.
At the end of the night, your phone will be removed from the bag and the bag will be recycled.
Anyone caught using a digital recording device during the Harry Styles One Night Only phones-free show may be asked to leave the venue.
Instead of a sea of phones, Harry Styles will be asking fans to capture their memories from the night on disposable cameras, which will be included with every pair of tickets sold.
Harry Styles’ One Night Only gig in Manchester will be the subject of a Netflix documentary
The statement shared by Co-op Live says: “We are looking forward to seeing you on Friday 6th March to be part of a very special live performance – Harry Styles One Night in Manchester at Co-op Live! We’re pleased to announce Netflix will be filming the full show for everyone to enjoy and re-live again and again, it will be available globally from Sunday 8th March at 7pm GMT.
“We hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy the show fully and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the experience.
“The use of cameras, smart glasses, smart watches and similar recording devices will not be permitted in the event space. Phones will be secured in a recyclable bag, kept on your person upon entry to the event, and will still be able to be used in a normal way including all communication functions but without the camera. All other recording devices will not be permitted in the building.
“At the end of the night your phone will be removed from the bag and the bag will be recycled. Please note that anyone using a digital recording device during the performance will be asked to stop and if they do not, they may be asked to leave.
“Each pair of tickets sold will receive a disposable camera on the night so you can still capture your own special moments and share them after the show.”
Danny Jones -
22nd August 2024 
