Sex Pistols announce first North American tour in over two decades, featuring new frontman Frank Carter

The Sex Pistols, one of the most influential punk rock bands in history, are preparing for their first North American tour in over two decades. Initially making waves in the late '70s, their music was a catalyst for the punk movement, which disrupted mainstream music and culture. Their infamous 1978 U.S. tour, which saw chaotic shows and hostile crowds, solidified their place in punk history. After years of silence, the band is set to hit the stage once again in 2025, but this time, with new frontman Frank Carter. This tour is being touted as a comeback for the ages, promising a blend of nostalgia with fresh energy. The band will perform Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols in its entirety, a groundbreaking album that defined the genre. The tour will span major U.S. and Canadian cities, including Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York, concluding in mid-October.

The decision to tour again after such a long hiatus has raised questions about the band’s motivations. Guitarist Steve Jones believes it’s the right moment for a Sex Pistols revival. "Why not?" he quips when asked about the timing of the tour. Frank Carter, the band’s new frontman, argues that punk music, with its high-energy, rebellious spirit, is needed more than ever. “America is screaming out for a band like the Sex Pistols,” says Carter, noting that the world’s turbulent times make people yearn for an outlet to vent their frustrations. Punk's raw, aggressive sound is seen as a perfect fit for the current climate, where many people are searching for both entertainment and an escape from daily pressures. As Jones puts it, the Sex Pistols offer not just a concert but a space for people to express themselves. “Punk is an energetic music,” he explains, emphasizing the cathartic experience fans will get by attending their shows.
For fans attending the 2025 tour, one of the most significant changes is the band’s new frontman, Frank Carter. Known for his work with Gallows, Pure Love, and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Carter brings a new dimension to the band’s high-octane performance style. Despite the major lineup change, the remaining members of the Sex Pistols—Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock—are excited to share the stage with Carter. The band’s decision to move forward without original frontman John Lydon (formerly Johnny Rotten) is a point of contention, as Lydon has distanced himself from the band, partly due to a long-running legal battle over the use of the band’s music in their TV series Pistol. While the band wishes Lydon well, they’ve made it clear that they did not reach out to him for the 2025 reunion tour, opting instead for a new dynamic with Carter at the helm.

This tour won’t be a carbon copy of their chaotic 1978 U.S. tour, which was marked by violence and hostile crowds. Instead, the band promises a more refined and professional performance, albeit with the same fiery punk energy. As Matlock states, “We’re a bit older but we play just as well, if not better.” The band members, now seasoned veterans of the punk rock scene, are bringing their decades of experience to this tour, ensuring that fans will get a performance with a high level of aplomb. However, the band is keeping things open-ended regarding the possibility of new music in the future. “It’s early days,” says Jones, leaving fans to wonder if the Sex Pistols might surprise them with fresh material down the road. For now, though, the focus is on their legendary past, celebrating their music, and giving fans the chance to relive punk rock history in 2025.