Sex Pistols Returning to Longhorn Ballroom After 47 Years

The Sex Pistols are returning to Longhorn Ballroom, nearly 50 years removed from their iconic, riotous 1978 set at the venue.

The show is set for Sept. 16, kicking off the band’s first North American tour in two decades. This iteration of the band includes three original members, guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock and drummer Paul Cook, along with new lead singer Frank Carter.

Carter, 40, wasn’t even born when the Pistols played Longhorn Ballroom. He grew to punk prominence through his time with Gallows, Pure Love and his eponymous Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes band. He’s been on vocal duties for the Sex Pistols since last year, performing a handful of UK shows.

Original lead singer John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten, is still alive but has severed ties with the band. In a recent interview, he described Carter’s performance with the band as “karaoke” and likened his inclusion to “renting a puppet.” Lydon currently performs with Public Image Ltd., formed in the wake of the Sex Pistols’ breakup.

Sex Pistols iconography can be found all over Longhorn Ballroom, with essentially a mini-museum dedicated to their riotous show located inside the venue. In January, Universal Music Group announced three limited-edition LP pressings of live shows from the band’s ‘78 tour, including Dallas along with Atlanta and San Francisco. Today’s tour announcement coincides with the official release of those three records.
All this to say, it’s surreal to hear they’ll be returning to Dallas so many years later. Perhaps they should tag on a country opener, in reference to the iconic Longhorn marquee advertising the Pistols and Merle Haggard nine days later during the band's first stop.

Artist presale tickets for the show go on sale April 1, with general public tickets on sale April 4.