Frank Carter & The Sex Pistols – O2 Academy Birmingham UK

We always enjoy the music venues in Birmingham, they’re always easy to park near and easy to get to, the O2 academy is no different, although it is in a venue a little out of the centre. The building hosts 3 separate venue rooms, but you always have to figure out which you’ll be going into by talking to other people waiting if there’s multiple concerts on at the same time.

Doors opened at 7pm and we got in after queuing for maybe 10 mins. We headed into the standing area where there were multiple bars and a merchandise store along the perimeter, obviously we had to check out the merch and grab a beer before getting ourselves a prime spot just before the support act came on.

Lead singer & Guitarist of the Molotov’s

The Molotov’s were the support for this show, as well as the Nottingham show, but not for any others. Frank Carter and The Sex Pistols began this tour with only two dates in London to raise money for the historic Bush hall Venue. We thought they were a great band and we are glad they joined the tour, but we don’t think they were quite at the mark the sex pistols support should be, you could definitely hear the inspiration from The Jam in thier music. Unfortunately they don’t have any recorded songs yet, but we look forward to seeing what they do in the future!


Holiday in the Sun – The Sex Pistols (All Rights Retained By The Sex Pistols)

The Molotov’s played ‘Johnny Don’t Be Scared’ and ‘More More More’ both very classic punk style, the bassist definitely had the old skool punk personality despite all the band being in their 20’s. The band performed well and were great to watch but the crowd were not giving much energy. During the set a crowd member shoved himself into Rex and tried to start a fight with St. Jimmy, this was just the start of what made the night awful! We enjoyed watching them play but we were way more on edge and unable to enjoy it as much at this point.

The Molotov’s

Almost as soon as the Molotov’s set had finished the rowdy crowd gain to shuffle, this resulted in someone being punched by someone trying to move forward, the victim instantly hit the floor unconscious, as we were right next to him we helped push the crowd back to clear some space for the paramedics and security team to help.

While the paramedics and staff were trying to control the bleeding and help the man regain consciousness, we were chatting to a few of the nicer crowd members, we all agreed that this is the worst gig we had all been to due to the crowd. After 20 minutes the victim was taken out of the venue on a stretcher and the venue staff cleaned the floor, but Rex began to have a panic attack due to being crammed in with too many people for so long so we had to leave our good spot for  quick exit.

Frank Carter and The Sex Pistols

When we got back inside Frank Carter and The Sex Pistols had just come on stage and performed ‘Holiday In The Sun’ . We saw Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes briefly at Download Festival and were pleasantly surprised by Frank then, so we were optimistic for this performance. Although we were now really quite far back where the crowd are usually more chilled, that was not the case here. Within the first couple of songs two people were dragged out of the crowd, continuing to keep us on edge for the remainder of the show.


Anarchy in the U.K. – The Sex Pistols (All Rights Retained By The Sex Pistols)

Frank Carter and The Sex Pistols were to perform the whole Never Mind The Bollocks album, and to our surprise they actually managed it with the delay at the beginning as well as Frank having to stop the show once because of another fight.

The Sex Pistols performed well and you could tell they were happy to be touring for the first time since 2008, although Johnny Rotten was replaced by Frank Carter the enthusiasm of Glenn Matlock, Steve Jones, and Paul Cook was really great to see.We were especially impressed by their performance of ‘God Save the Queen’and as always Frank put on a great show, showing all the enthusiasm and energy, jumping into the crowd for a mosh pit and crowd surfing back to the stage is always a fun addition the front mans performance.

Frank Carter in the crowd

Towards the end of the set the crowd seemed to get less rowdy and almost become respectable humans, which meant we were a little less on edge, that didn’t stop us from leaving the venue as soon as possible straight after their encore where they played ‘My Way’ and ‘Anarchy in the U.K.’ with the latter being our favourite of the night.

My Way -The Sex Pistols (All Rights Retained By The Sex Pistols)

We are glad we got to go see the Sex Pistols on this mini sold out tour, however it will not be on our agenda to see them live again. The band, Frank, and the support act all played incredibly well, but the fans of the Sex Pistols are a crowd we never want to be with again. We enjoy live music as we like to support the bands we enjoy, see them perform and feel the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd as well as the bands, it’s an incredible experience most of the time, but unfortunately the crowd can ruin a whole night, especially as the ticket prices are so high and for many it is an occasional treat. It’s a shame for a handful of self centred people to ruin it for everyone.

St.Jimmy & Rex 🖤☠️

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42 responses to “Frank Carter & The Sex Pistols – O2 Academy Birmingham UK”

  1. michael branscáth avatar

    I’ve been to a few shows like that where I couldn’t wait to leave so I could stop watching my backside. I never understood the appeal of being a jackass.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      We have been to a few where there’s a few bad apples, but nothing this bad ever! It seemed no matter where we were in the crowd there was just chaos.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. michael branscáth avatar

        Lovely. [/sarcasm]

        Hope the next gig you attend attracts a better crowd.

        Liked by 3 people

        1. Rex avatar
          Rex

          Us too! We are heading to Bristol for one on Saturday!

          Liked by 3 people

    2. Amy avatar
      Amy

      amazing review.

      i just want to say, the man who was punched, staff were absolutely useless, it was a couple of civilians, luckily one being a field medic, who actually helped the guy until the paramedics came. No idea if he ended up okay

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Rex avatar
        Rex

        We saw the civilians help as the venue staff cleared some space then the venue first aid team arrived shortly followed by the paramedics. But yeah admittedly they could have acted a lot faster, and it seemed this was the first time they had to deal with something like this!

        Did they clean up before letting people fill the space again? We left the area just as the paramedics were taking the guy out

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Nicholas K F Matte avatar

    I’m like wow you guys saw The Sex Pistols!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      We did, and they played great!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. cookie avatar

    there’s nothing really like them

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      They are great!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Samantha Josephine Hunter avatar

    Sweet!! Too bad that Johnny was replaced, but he’s a minister now. 🙂 Also what is it with punk rock and over zealous fans?? Seriously, I know it’s anti-establishment but causing fights?? Gimme a holiday!! Would love to have been there though. Can’t go wrong with punk music. ❤

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      We have been to many punk concerts over the years but never had an experience like it!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Samantha Josephine Hunter avatar

        I guess! 😮 I really love the Sex Pistols but holy jeez, take it easy in the mosh pit ffs. This isn’t an MMA ring ya know! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Rex avatar
          Rex

          The mish pit was probably the tamest part haha! And that’s probably because Frank Carter was in it!

          Like

          1. Samantha Josephine Hunter avatar

            OMG. Usually the pit is where all the action is lmao. But yeah. 😛

            Liked by 2 people

  5. Radio Faux Show avatar

    Horrifying tale, but it’s great to hear that you are all safe and secure now.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      All safe and still glad we stayed despite it all! The bands were excellent!

      Liked by 2 people

  6. lyndhurstlaura avatar

    What a shame what began as a great experience was spoiled for you in this way. While a fight breaking out sounds very ‘punk’, in reality you don’t need it. Glad you got out of there with minimum harm, and hope Rex got over the panic attack soon. The music sounds brilliant – it’s a long time since I’ve played that album, and your mentions of the tracks bought them right back to mind. Guess what I’ll be listening to later? Thanks for the nostaglia, stay safe in the future. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. St Jimmy avatar
      St Jimmy

      It was just strange being shouted at and asking if I wanted to fight when I’m just standing there watching a band, especially after he shoved Rex, he did apologise to us a few mins later. Then seeing a guy bleeding on the floor not long afterwards just summed up the night, but we carried on and tried to not let it ruin our night.

      I hope you enjoy listening to the album, it is a classic! What is your favourite song?

      Liked by 1 person

  7. lyndhurstlaura avatar

    Sounds grim, glad you made it out in one piece. For the album, ‘Anarchy in the UK’ and ‘God Save the Queen’ are up there.😎

    Liked by 2 people

    1. St Jimmy avatar
      St Jimmy

      We did luckily 😂 I would say those two are my favourites too.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Kevin avatar

    Oh no! Should have been an enjoyable and memorable night for you, with such an influential album being performed live. So sorry the idiot factor got in the way. Maybe Johnny made the right decision not to attend!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      It was still memorable at least haha! Maybe not for the right reasons, but it’ll be there for a while! The band were actually amazing though!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

    Genuinely torn on this one…

    So jealous you got to see them (I think they are an outside bet for playing download so fingers crossed for me! haha)

    But happy that you got to see them obviously but so unbelievable annoyed that someone dampened your experience of them!

    Still a great review regardless ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

      Maybe a mixed festival would be a better experience, it was definitely the ‘Sex Pistols Till I Die’ fans that ruined it, so maybe them being watered down in a larger crowd it’d be a better experience!

      Maybe a festival in Europe too, they’re much better people at concerts everywhere we have been

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

    Genuinely torn on this one…

    So jealous you got to see them (I think they are an outside bet for playing download so fingers crossed for me! haha)

    But happy that you got to see them obviously but so unbelievable annoyed that someone dampened your experience of them!

    Still a great review regardless ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      Maybe a mixed festival would be a better experience, it was definitely the ‘Sex Pistols Till I Die’ fans that ruined it, so maybe them being watered down in a larger crowd it’d be a better experience!

      Maybe a festival in Europe too, they’re much better people at concerts everywhere we have been

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

        I suspect just sad little old men then?

        Not massively surprising there was a few idiots but its a shame that in this case it turned more into the majority.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Rex avatar
          Rex

          No, more skinhead punk types, but elderly and have spent thier whole lives taking steroids plus the additional drugs and drinks for the gig.

          There’s always idiots, but we have never experienced such a dense group of them!

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

            Yeah it does seem like you got pretty unlucky to encounter so many!

            Liked by 2 people

          2. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

            Yeah it does seem like you got pretty unlucky to encounter so many!

            Like

        2. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

          No, more skinhead punk types, but elderly and have spent thier whole lives taking steroids plus the additional drugs and drinks for the gig.

          There’s always idiots, but we have never experienced such a dense group of them!

          Like

      2. Fox Reviews Rock avatar

        I suspect just sad little old men then?

        Not massively surprising there was a few idiots but its a shame that in this case it turned more into the majority.

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Sunshine avatar

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      🖤🖤

      Liked by 4 people

  12. Greg Dennison avatar

    That’s too bad that the fans ruined it…

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Rex avatar
      Rex

      It really is!

      Liked by 3 people

  13. Mark avatar

    Likewise, sorry to hear about the stupid behaviour of a few idiots…great to hear they’re (the Pistols) on the road ‘though

    Liked by 3 people

    1. St Jimmy avatar
      St Jimmy

      It was a shame cause Frank Carter was great performing with them, we had a great view before the incident but had to settle for a side view for the Sex pistols.

      Like

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