Sex Pistols & Frank Carter Bring Punk Back to Life at Hellfest 2025 – Live on ARTE Concert

At Live Jam, every song we spin is the live version. No studio takes, no polish, no filters—just raw, uncut music the way it’s meant to be experienced. And when it comes to punk rock, nothing embodies that spirit more than what just went down at Hellfest 2025.

The Sex Pistols, one of the most infamous and influential bands in music history, returned to the stage with a twist: Frank Carter—of Gallows, Pure Love, and The Rattlesnakes—stepped in as frontman. The result? A set that didn’t just revisit the fire of late-70s punk—it reignited it for a whole new generation.

And thanks to ARTE Concert, fans worldwide get to experience this moment on screen, in full, as it was meant to be: loud, chaotic, unapologetic, and alive.

Punk Royalty Meets Punk Revivalist

There are few bands in history as polarizing and mythologized as the Sex Pistols. Their reign was short, messy, and legendary, and yet their impact reverberates through rock and punk culture nearly five decades later.

But time doesn’t stand still, and if there’s one thing the Pistols have always thrived on, it’s defying expectations. Enter Frank Carter. Known for his wild stage presence and raw emotional delivery, Carter is one of modern punk’s fiercest frontmen. From the hardcore grit of Gallows to the brutal honesty of The Rattlesnakes, he has always carried the torch for punk’s primal energy.

Pairing him with the Sex Pistols is more than a clever booking—it’s a generational handshake. The old school meets the new school. The sneer of Johnny Rotten lives on, but through a voice and presence uniquely Carter’s.

Hellfest 2025: The Perfect Stage

Hellfest, held annually in Clisson, France, is one of the largest and most respected rock and metal festivals on the planet. It’s the kind of place where legends return, where young bands make their mark, and where the volume never drops below maximum.

For the Pistols and Carter, this was more than just another gig—it was history in the making. Punk at Hellfest may sound like a collision of worlds, but in truth, the festival’s DNA has always embraced chaos, rebellion, and extremes. A Sex Pistols set in 2025 fit right in.

And the crowd knew it. Tens of thousands packed in, arms raised, chanting along to every anthem from Anarchy in the U.K. to God Save the Queen. When Carter prowled the stage, snarling lyrics with venom, it was clear: this wasn’t nostalgia. This was punk made new.

The Setlist: A Riotous Celebration

While ARTE Concert captured the full show, highlights of the night already have fans buzzing:

• “Pretty Vacant” – delivered with a frenzy that sounded like the Pistols had never left the stage.

• “Holidays in the Sun” – with Carter’s growl adding fresh bite to its defiant march.

• “Bodies” – as visceral and shocking now as it was in 1977.

• “God Save the Queen” – the ultimate punk protest, now given new energy in a time when rebellion feels more relevant than ever.

Every song was played raw, loud, and live—the way punk demands. For long-time fans, it was a reminder of the Pistols’ uncompromising power. For newcomers, it was a revelation.

Why This Matters

This Hellfest show wasn’t just about a reunion or a collaboration. It was proof that punk is not a relic, not a museum piece, not a past-tense genre. The Sex Pistols, with Frank Carter at the helm, showed that rebellion is timeless.

In an age of auto-tune and overproduced studio perfection, seeing this band rip through their catalog with snarling passion and zero compromise felt revolutionary again. It wasn’t polished—it was powerful. It wasn’t retro—it was real.

Live Jam Brings It to You

At Live Jam, we live for moments like this. Nights where music is stripped of its studio gloss and delivered straight, loud, and live. That’s why we’re spotlighting this performance, and why it’s already secured its place as one of the defining live shows of 2025.

And don’t forget: tonight at 9PM EST, it’s Friday Night Lights on Live Jam Radio. Every Friday night, we feature a very special live release, played in its entirety. No interruptions, no edits—just the full, uncut concert experience from start to finish.

So while the Pistols and Frank Carter prove that punk still has teeth, we’ll keep delivering the live music that makes your speakers shake and your pulse race.

The Sex Pistols teaming with Frank Carter at Hellfest 2025 isn’t just a concert—it’s a statement. Punk never died, it just needed a fresh voice to roar through it. With ARTE Concert capturing the chaos and Live Jam amplifying the spirit, this is a moment fans will be revisiting for years to come.

Punk is alive. Punk is loud. Punk is live.

And on Live Jam, that’s the only way it will ever be.