Glen Matlock Wraps UK Jaunt in Coventry

Legendary bassist Glen Matlock concluded his week-long UK mini-tour with a packed final show at the HMV Empire in Coventry last night. Posting to Instagram, Matlock—best known as the original bassist and co-writer of iconic tracks on the Sex Pistols’ 1977 album—teased fans: “Coventry bound for the last night of our UK jaunt. Cooking with gas, so come on down. 😉”

Tour Highlights

Matlock’s run began in Glasgow on May 15, where he warmed up the crowd at The Cluny. In a May 14 post he wrote, “A lovely start to the day on the verdant banks of the Clyde. See you at the Cluny later. 😎.” Two nights later, on May 17, he rolled into Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms, captioning the snap: “Made it to sunny Edinburgh. Playing the fab Voodoo Rooms tonight – come on down. 😎.” From there he hit Stockton-on-Tees and Stockport before heading to Coventry.

Throughout the tour, Matlock stuck to intimate venues—each holding between 300 and 800 fans—bringing a raw punk energy often absent from larger arenas. His setlist mixed classics like “Pretty Vacant” and “No Feelings” with deeper cuts and solo material dating back to his 2010 album, How’d Yer Escape?.

An Intimate Punk Return

At 68, Matlock shows no signs of slowing. After parting ways with the Sex Pistols in early 1978, he forged a solo career and collaborated with artists such as Iggy Pop and The Damned. This UK jaunt marks his first return to grassroots venues in his home country since a stripped-down acoustic run in 2019.

Fans in Coventry were treated to a spirited two-hour set, punctuated by Matlock’s trademark bass grooves and candid stage banter. He dedicated the closing number to Coventry’s punk pioneers, acknowledging the city’s post-industrial grit and its role in the UK’s DIY music scene.

Punk Legacy On Display

Matlock’s influence on punk rock is inseparable from the Sex Pistols’ legacy. According to band lore and press interviews, he penned or co-wrote at least six tracks on Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, including “God Save the Queen” and “Anarchy in the U.K.”. His departure from the band in 1977 followed creative tensions, but he remains celebrated as a key architect of punk’s early sound.

In Coventry, fans spanned generations—from die-hard punks who caught the original 1970s scene to teenagers discovering Matlock’s work via streaming platforms. Support act Strip Search Tramp, who themselves tagged Matlock on Instagram before the tour, opened the show with high-energy originals, setting the stage for a seamless hand-off to punk royalty.

Matlock’s Instagram feed has documented the journey: vivid stage shots, backstage smiles, and nods to local architecture (“They do like a turret or two here too… 😉”). Each caption reflects his off-hand humor and gratitude for live music’s communal spirit.

Warmly thanking the crews and venues in post-gig stories, Matlock hinted at further European dates later this year, though no official announcements have appeared on his website. For now, Coventry marks the finale of a tour that celebrated punk’s enduring relevance in intimate settings.

Fans who missed this UK leg can follow Matlock’s next moves on Instagram (@glenmatlock1) or visit his official site for updates. As Matlock himself posted after the Coventry show: “Cooking with gas indeed—thanks for turning up and keeping punk very much alive.”

Reporter

Ratika Pai

 

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

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