Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter/The Stranglers & Buzzcocks - Dreamland, Margate August 23rd, 2025

Judging by the hordes of people still snaking into Dreamland at 6:30, I assume Buzzcocks have started their set to a fairly sparse crowd. But I’m wrong; the venue is already buzzing with life, a mohawk here, some tartan trousers over there, a sort of punk rock Mecca soundtracked by Steve Diggle and co. And though there will always be some who feel the band should have been laid to rest with Pete Shelley back in 2018, I suspect there are many more who would prefer his incredible catalogue of songs to be kept alive. Master of the concise, punk rock single, the likes of ‘Promises’ and ‘Orgasm Addict’ remain thrilling blasts of adrenaline, no messing, just as nature intended. And while it’s sometimes an adjustment to hear Diggle’s rough and rowdy voice in place of his predecessor, when he asks us if we’re “ready to f***ing rock?”, we’re hardly going to say no. I’m particularly impressed with bassist Chris Remington, whose distinctive thrum gives ‘Why Can’t I Touch It?’ real character. ‘Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)’ is rightfully regarded as a cornerstone of its genre, and is greeted rapturously, generating an appropriately ragged singalong that gets Dreamland bouncing. The set concludes with ‘Harmony in my Head’, a song that truly belongs to Diggle and dispels any doubt that he deserves his place front and centre.

Over the past few years, The Stranglers have had an enforced upheaval within their ranks. One of the pioneers of the Punk genre have soldiered on admirably. The current line-up is founder member J.J. Burnel (Bass/Vocals), Baz Warne (Guitar/Lead Vocals), Jim Macauley (Drums) and Toby Hounsham (Keyboards). It should be noted that Baz has been with the group for 25 years now, making his recorded debut on the very impressive "Norfolk Coast" album. They are proudly carrying The Stranglers legacy forwards, and very impressively, too. The set starts with "Toiler on the Sea", swiftly moving into "Duchess", "Nice 'n Sleazy", "Skin Deep" and "Always the Sun". It's clear that they've chosen a very Cornwell-heavy approach today. The classics continue with "Always the Sun" and "Peaches". This theme is finally broken when they play "Breathe" from 2021's "Dark Matters" album.  

The set is all business tonight, with The Stranglers largely eschewing between song banter. Refreshing really, as it means they shoehorn as many songs as possible in one hour. As I listen to them, I'm once more reminded of how much melody is contained therein. It's also one of the ways that they've developed and stayed relevant, despite a tidal wave of music and social "progress" around them over those decades. Such intelligently structured and well-written songs. 

"Golden Brown" and (Get a) Grip (on Yourself) are up next, two ditties that are near the top of the tree when it comes to affection from the fans. Then "White Stallion" (another song from "Dark Matters"), leaving just "Hanging Around" and "No More Heroes" to put the cherry flavoured safety pin on top of the icing. It's been a few years since their most recent studio album, so here's to another one soon. The Stranglers still have a lot to offer. A great set, from one of the instigators of this particular scene.  

It's a very surreal thought to ponder upon, that when I first heard "Never Mind The Bollocks", the album was only 2 and a 1/2 years old. I'd hasten to add that I was very young. Very. (Documentation shown on request). Traversing the following near-50 years, it's grown and grown in legend, as has it's creators. Rightly so, as well. The album itself is an archetypal example of those times, as potent today as it was then. It hasn't aged. Neither have the Pistols themselves, at least not in terms of energy and relevance. So, it was with great delight to hear that the Pistols (Steve, Paul and Glen) had made the decision to team up with Frank Carter on vocals. Not only that, they were, and are, playing "NMTB" in it's entirety. Having played a smattering of dates in 2024, a much larger scale outing is well underway this year. Frank already knew Louis Matlock (Glen's son), from touring with him. Louis then put forward the idea to his Dad, and a massively inspired idea it is, too. 

As the lights dim, the familiar sound of Paul Cook's kick on the bass-drum means the start of "Holidays in the Sun", and the lads waste no time in getting into the pace of the set. With sten-gun levels of rapid fire, "Seventeen", "Bodies" and "Pretty Vacant" hurtle at us. The sound is punchy and clear; no small achievement at an open-air venue. Frank has struck just the right balance in his approach. He has a very different style and demeanour to John Lydon, though transmits an energy and charisma all his own. He engages with a fair amount of banter with the crowd, even jumping into the front section of punters a couple of times. One of my favourite Pistols songs is up next:- "Silly Thing". Originally recorded with two versions (one with Steve singing, the other with Paul), this time it's Frank's turn. I'm very pleased that they deviated away from the compass to include this one. He announces "Pretty Vacant" as the "best punk song ever", and it's certainly one of the very top classics.  

As a very firm nod to their influences, "No Fun" from Iggy Pop and The Stooges arrives. "Liar" then picks up the tempo once more, and I'm sure we can all think of one or two people in our lives that deserve these particular lyrics. Then "God Save the Queen", a song that caused so much umbridge (and Oxbridge, or any other entrance examination you can think of) in 1977, has the crowd warbling along in unison. Saying that, it's been like that for the whole set. Whose says Kent can't rock? The snarling, spitting attack on the music business that is "EMI", escalates the tempo once more. One of several standouts for me this evening.

I'm pleasantly surprised to hear "My Way" appear, another fitting inclusion from the tail-end of the 1970's run of the Pistols. Steve creates a very nice setting with the intro and first stanza of the song. All too soon, we are at the finale, "Anarchy in the UK". The set was only just over an hour long, though they crammed as much in as you'd reasonably hope for really.

So, the group that set the tone both aurally and visually of a large chunk of the Punk movement are here once more. You simply can't overstate their influence in any way. With a new singer, though also one that has also been instrumental in re-energising the interest of the other three members. Not so long ago at all, it all seemed a far-fetched pipe dream. I'm sure there are nay-sayers floating about, disappearing up their own jacksies with great effect. They can stay there, as far as I'm concerned, or even come out the other end and land in South America. Here's to more shows next year, as it's going swimmingly well. A new album of new material? Why not. I'm certainly looking forward to more from this very motivated version of the group. You should, too.