Sex Pistols to return to Birmingham

Mar 27 2008 By Andy Coleman

PUNK legends the Sex Pistols are set to perform in Birmingham for the first time in 32 years.

John Lydon, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock will play the Carling Academy on June 11 to warm up for their appearance at the Isle of Wight festival on June 14.

The Sex Pistols last played in Birmingham at Bogarts, New Street, on October 20, 1976 after previously appearing at Barbarella’s off Broad Street on August 14, 1976.

A planned show at Birmingham Town Hall days before Christmas in 1976, as part of the Anarchy Tour, was cancelled after the band's notorious television outburst.

Lydon swore at TV presenter Bill Grundy, sparking outrage nationally and in Birmingham where one senior councillor branded the band's behaviour as "unadulterated filth".

The Pistols eventually split following their show at the Winterland, San Francisco, on January 14 1978.

The original line-up reformed in 1996 for the six-month Filthy Lucre Tour, which included a date at the Phoenix Festival near Stratford Upon Avon.

They toured again last year, with five shows at London’s Brixton Academy, one at the MEN Arena in Manchester and one at the SECC in Glasgow.

As well as performing at the Isle of Wight festival the band the band will appear at the Live At Loch Lomond 2008 festival and the 2008 Peace and Love festival in Borl ñnge, Sweden.

Tickets for the Birmingham show, priced £37.50, go on sale on Friday March 28 from www.gigsandtours.com or 0871 2200 260.