Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. to perform at Riot Fest after 20-year feud

The Riot Fest, a time-honored Chicago festival, has a potentially tense vibe this year with the booking of two punk legends who have had a long-standing feud. The event, scheduled for Sept. 18-20 at Douglass Park, features the Sex Pistols, now fronted by Frank Carter, and Public Image Ltd., the band formed by Sex Pistols’ singer John Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, in 1978 after the original group disbanded.

The original members of the Sex Pistols – guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock (who was later replaced by Sid Vicious) – reunited with Lydon in 1996, 2002-2003, and again in 2007-2008 before parting ways amid disputes and legal complexities. Although the specific dates for each act at Riot Fest are not yet known, the festival’s organizers seem to be teasing a rivalry by placing the Sex Pistols’ name above Public Image Ltd. on the poster.

A significant falling out occurred between Lydon and the other band members after their 2008 reunion. Matters escalated in 2021 when Jones and Cook took legal action against Lydon to use the band’s music in the FX miniseries Pistol, based on Jones’s book. During the trial, Lydon emphasized his commitment to the band’s integrity and quality and expressed the need to protect its legacy.

Following the lawsuit, Jones and Cook expressed hope for future collaboration with Lydon, even though their past interactions were far from smooth. In response, the Sex Pistols announced a benefit show featuring Frank Carter as the new lead vocalist, leading to a full tour celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary in 2025. However, the initial dates had to be postponed due to Jones’s injury.

Lydon, although displeased with the band touring without him, criticized their decision as trivializing the essence of the Sex Pistols. He even likened the performance to karaoke, emphasizing his unique contribution to the band’s authenticity and emotional depth. Despite his critique, he acknowledged Carter’s effort but maintained his stance on the band’s legacy.

The headliners for this year’s Riot Fest include Tool, Twenty One Pilots, Pierce the Veil, and Alanis Morissette, with other notable acts like Morrissey, Iggy Pop, and Patti Smith also gracing the lineup. The festival promises an electric mix of performers, including the historically significant reunion of the Sex Pistols and the appearance of Public Image Ltd. after almost two decades of discord.