Frank Carter and Sex Pistols Paul Cook, Glen Matlock and Steve Jones have banded together to save West London's historic music venue Bush Hall for two shows on Tuesday 13th August and Wednesday 14th August 2024. One of the most influential rock bands of all time, The Sex Pistols will perform The Sex Pistols' iconic 1977 album Never Mind the Bollocks in its entirety at Bush Hall with electric frontman Frank Carter. Funds raised from these unmissable shows will go directly towards the preservation of this esteemed independent London venue. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday 5th June.
Supporting Bush Hall, a cornerstone of the music scene, is a cause near to the heart of both Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols. Paul Cook and Steve Jones both grew up around the venue and were frequent audience members, while Frank Carter played there in 2012 for his debut gig with former band Pure Love. A lifelong Sex Pistols fan, Frank Carter first met Steve Jones during an interview for Steve's radio show in 2008 and subsequently met the rest of the band through mutual friends. They quickly bonded over their shared love of live music and decided to play together to help preserve the iconic London venue.
Frank Carter said, “It was fun from start to finish. When the Sex Pistols call, we say hello. We're very excited to be a part of it.”
Paul Cook added: “I'm doing a benefit concert for Bush Hall with the famous Frank Carter. They need help and funds so we'll be playing Pistols songs and I thought this would be the perfect way to save the hall from going under. It's my local venue – I grew up in Shepherd's Bush and still live around here. It would be a real shame to see it go and we want to keep it going, so come along and see the show everyone!”
“If it all goes wrong, it's Paul's fault,” Steve Jones pointed out.
“I agree with Steve,” said Matlock, adding, “Small music venues are the lifeblood of new music. These intimate spaces are where raw talent has the chance to shine, where bands can really connect with their audiences, and where the spirit of live music truly thrives. So we need to keep them going.”
The show is to raise funds for Bush Hall, a much-loved grassroots venue in the heart of West London. It is more important than ever to protect grassroots venues and support this vital sector of the music industry. Since the pandemic, it has still been extremely difficult to maintain live music. For 2023, Bush Hall has seen a 24.5% drop in live music bookings.
Funds raised from ticket sales will help secure Bush Hall's musical future, enabling the venue team to focus on improving on-site facilities and supporting emerging artists by reinvigorating the Bush Hall Presents programme.
Promoter John Giddings said: “Without treasured music venues like Bush Hall, we wouldn't have the headliners we have today. Bush Hall is where artists gain experience and hone their craft. It's essential that venues like this continue to exist if the music industry is to thrive and evolve. This is a non-negotiable. We'd like to thank The Sex Pistols and Frank Carter for collaborating with us – it's sure to be a fantastic night.”
Bush Hall's historic breakthrough was when REM appeared on its stage in 2002. Since then, many artists have performed there, including Amy Winehouse, Florence & the Machine, Toots & the Maytals, Adele, The Killers, Michael Kiwanuka, Alicia Keys, Paul Weller, Nick Cave and Bombay Bicycle Club. Bush Hall showcases up-and-coming artists as well as established artists, and introduces international bands to the UK market. Kings of Leon famously played their first UK show at Bush Hall in 2006.
Bush Hall owner Charlie Raworth said: “We love playing music and giving musicians a venue to play on stage, in an intimate space with an audience. We want and need to continue doing this. From everyone at Bush Hall, we say a huge thank you to the legendary band The Sex Pistols and Frank Carter.”
The artwork for these unique shows was designed by Shepard Fairey. The American contemporary artist and activist is one of the most famous and influential street artists, known for his work on Barack Obama's “Hope” poster for the 2008 US presidential election. Fairey was inspired by Jamie Reid's bus design for the Sex Pistols' single “Pretty Vacant” and the burning speakers on the cover of Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes' album “Blossom”. He also borrowed the color palette from the cover of “Never Mind the Bollocks”, creating a work that is a perfect fusion of both artists' creativity.
Shepard Fairey: “It's an honor to collaborate with the Sex Pistols, a band that changed my life, and an honor to collaborate with Frank Carter, who shares the spirit of the Pistols but adds fuel to the fire in his own unique way!”
Tickets will go on sale from 9am BST on Wednesday 5th June at https://www.livenation.co.uk/artist-frank-carter-and-sex-pistols-1501314.