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Support at the Brixton shows was The Cribs, Goldie, and the Scratch Perverts, whereas tonight we get The Thirst, with dance and drum and bass. Personally I do not know who chose the support and what they were thinking, but there could be a pink rabbit knitting feather quilts on stage along to the sound of Tina Turner and I doubt the crowd would have noticed as is the excitement for this long-awaited Sex Pistols show.
With Vera Lynn’s voice can be heard singing ‘There'll Always Be An England’ and the sight of many a Union Jack flag over the speakers, no one can be more passionate about our land then the Sex Pistols. Yeah, they’re not to everyone’s taste and they are well past it now, but this (their largest indoor show ever in the UK) has many a like minded person inside feeling the same way. Johnny Rotten grabbing some of his middle aged spread and declaring “Best Of British”!
Lydon still has the same sneering look and disturbing stare, though a little older then in their 1978 hey day. Joined by the original members (bar Sid Vicious) guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock and drummer Paul Cook, their sound tonight is tight, with the whole arena clearly hearing every word and riff from the punk icons.
The mosh pit, though probably made up of the older generation, is the largest I have seen in the arena; half the floor is constantly pogoing as soon as the start of ‘Pretty Vacant’ crashes on top of them. Lydon is the only one to speak, though the others are singing along. Taunting the crowd, which he correctly points out are united (referring to how the city is divided by it’s own football teams) for one night by the Sex Pistols. Though he is a little upset at the lack of ladies down front (I ain’t saying what he called us; I don’t mind but some of you might!) and the fact that the camera keeps filming only him (to which he goes up the lens and pull some crazy faces).
The bar has been closed since the start of their set; a rare occasion at the arena (even when The Pogues were playing the merry fans could have a beer during the show). I suppose they think this will lead to less violence, though I think age and the overall thrill of the show will calm many people down, and the lack of beverages might cause a bit of hassle.
The Pistols are only on for 70 minutes, though looking at their limited back catalogue this is quite an achievement! We are treated to all the hits, with the encore bringing out the horrid ‘Bodies’ and ‘Anarchy In The UK’. They sound as fresh as when they were first released, and the sound of the sell-out 19,350 plus crowd just pads it out perfectly.
Even to those who just went so they could say to the grandkids “I was a at Sex pistols gig”, it was a memorable and worthwhile journey, and I for one am glad I went (a smaller venue would have been great, but too have so many people together for one thing is always a good thing).
Pretty Vacant
Seventeen
No Feelings
New York
Did You No Wrong
Liar
Holidays In The Sun
Submission
Stepping Stone
No Fun
Problems
God Save The Queen
EMI
Bodies
Anarchy In The UK
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article by: Danielle Millea
photos by: Danielle Millea
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| published: 20/11/2007 23:53 |
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