Where To See Sex Pistols In Yorkshire 2026

Right, let's talk about something big happening in the world of music. Imagine one of the most famous bands in history, a band that completely changed the game, deciding to play a couple of huge shows right on your doorstep. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening. The legendary Sex Pistols are teaming up with the powerhouse frontman Frank Carter for two massive celebration shows in Yorkshire next summer. This isn't just any tour; it’s a huge party marking 50 years of punk, and it promises to be an unforgettable couple of nights of pure energy and iconic tunes.

Yorkshire gets ready for a punk rock summer

Get your calendars out, because these are dates you won't want to miss. The punk rock titans are set to take over two incredible Yorkshire venues. First up, they'll be headlining TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall in Halifax on Saturday, 11th July 2026. Then, they’re heading over to the coast to play the TK Maxx Presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Sunday, 2nd August 2026. It’s the original Pistols crew – Steve Jones on guitar, Paul Cook on drums, and Glen Matlock on bass – joined by the brilliant Frank Carter on vocals. These celebration shows are part of a summer of amazing live music hitting the county. It's a proper punk invasion of Yorkshire, and everyone's invited to the party.

What's all the fuss about? a 50 year legacy

So, why are the Sex Pistols such a big deal? Think about it like this. Before them, rock music was getting a bit… well, complicated. Then along came this band in the mid-70s and turned everything upside down with raw, loud, and simple tunes with a whole lot of attitude. They were properly influential. Their story is packed with legendary moments, but one of the most important happened back in the summer of 1976. The Sex Pistols played a couple of gigs at a small venue in Manchester called The Lesser Free Trade Hall. Not many people were there, fewer than 50 in fact, but the people who were there were completely inspired. In that tiny crowd were the future members of bands like Joy Division, The Smiths, and Buzzcocks. That one small gig in Manchester is often called 'the gig that changed the world' because it kicked off a whole new wave of music in the UK. Even after all this time, the band's attitude remains the same. As guitarist Steve Jones puts it: “If it ain’t fun, I ain’t doing it. I’m too old for bullshit.” That’s the punk spirit right there.

Meet the new frontman: frank carter

Taking on the vocals for one of the most iconic bands ever is no small job, but Frank Carter is more than up to it. Anyone who's seen him with his old band Gallows or his current one, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, knows he's an absolute force of nature on stage. He first joined the Pistols' lineup back in 2024 for a show to help save London’s famous Bush Hall, and people were blown away. He brings this incredible energy that gives the classic songs a fresh burst of life. He’s been touring the world with them throughout 2025, playing at massive festivals and even managing to start a giant circle pit inside the very grand Royal Albert Hall. He’s the perfect person to help celebrate the chaos and fun of this legendary punk band's music.

It's a punk-packed lineup: meet the special guests

As if seeing the Sex Pistols wasn't exciting enough, they're bringing some seriously cool friends along. For the Scarborough show, the special guests are none other than The Stranglers and The Undertones. That’s three legendary punk bands on one stage. The Stranglers have been around since the beginning and have a massive list of hits you’ll definitely know, like 'Peaches' and 'Golden Brown'. They celebrated their own 50th anniversary in 2024 and are still one of the most credible bands from that era. Then there are The Undertones, who are also celebrating a huge milestone with their 50th anniversary in 2026. Hailing from Derry, they gave the world the absolute classic anthem 'Teenage Kicks'. It's a night that celebrates the entire history of punk music.

A summer of music sponsored by tk maxx

These gigs are part of a huge summer concert series presented by TK Maxx. Both The Piece Hall and Scarborough Open Air Theatre have an incredible lineup for 2026. So, if you're into live music, you're in for a treat. Across the two venues, you can catch acts like Bastille, Bowling For Soup, The Kooks, Skunk Anansie, and Garbage. The sponsorship from TK Maxx, a key brand under the TJX Europe umbrella alongside Homesense, helps make these massive events happen. It’s a bit like shopping in their stores – you go along for one thing and discover loads of other brilliant treasures you weren't expecting. You can keep up with all the announcements on their social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram.

Live at The Piece Hall 2026 Highlights

• JUN 16: SKUNK ANANSIE + GARBAGE
• JUN 19: THE KOOKS
• JUN 30: BOWLING FOR SOUP + FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS
• JUL 11: SEX PISTOLS + THE UNDERTONES + PANIC SHACK
• AUG 21: THE WOMBATS
• AUG 28: BASTILLE + CARPETMAN

Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 Highlights

• JUN 18: THE KOOKS
• JUN 20: SKUNK ANANSIE + GARBAGE
• JUL 2: BOWLING FOR SOUP + FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS
• AUG 2: SEX PISTOLS + THE STRANGLERS + THE UNDERTONES
• JUL 11: BASTILLE + NECTAR WOODE

What the organisers are saying

The people behind the venues are just as excited as the fans. Nicky Chance-Thompson, the CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said:

“What an epic gig this will be. One of the most iconic and influential bands ever formed in the UK - the term era defining could have been written for then... A real bucket list show for punk fans old and new!”

Over at Scarborough OAT, promoter Julian Murray from Cuffe and Taylor added:

“This is going to be a phenomenal celebration of punk – bringing together three truly iconic bands in Sex Pistols with The Stranglers and The Undertones, all in one night! Scarborough Open Air Theatre audiences love to rock out and I’m sure this night will be one of the summer’s highlights. Don’t miss out!”

It’s clear these aren't just any gigs; they’re set to be legendary events celebrating a music movement that changed everything. The 50 years of punk celebration shows are shaping up to be the talk of the summer.