Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones has addressed the prospect of crossing paths with former bandmate John Lydon at Riot Fest, where both will be performing on the same bill.
Jones spoke about his willingness to reconcile with Lydon despite their history, noting that he holds no ill will toward his former bandmate.
“I’ll shake his hand if he wants to. I mean, I’m totally aware that we’re on the same bill. I don’t know if we’re on the same day,” Jones said. “But I’ve got no animosity towards Johnny. You know, I’ve always admired him. He was fantastic in the day.”
Jones went on to acknowledge the personal loss Lydon has experienced and expressed support for him continuing to perform.
“And, he’s lost his best friend. He lost his wife, and he’s out there. He’s out there trying to get by, he’s out there doing shows, and I think he’s doing the right thing. And I’ve got nothing to say about it,” Jones continued. “If we run into each other, so be it. I’ll shake his hand if he wants to but I don’t know where his head’s at. I’m just happy he’s out there doing something.”
Lydon, who will perform at Riot Fest with his band Public Image Limited, previously commented on sharing the bill with Sex Pistols. He referred to the current lineup as a “karaoke band” in a separate interview.
“Well, it’s fantastic isn’t it? I’m going to be serenaded by a karaoke band the night before I properly play! Who could ask for anything more?! There’s no other way of looking at it,” Lydon said. “The promoter was very fair. He said there was a possibility of them being on the bill. I’m not going to shove anybody off work. Sorry. Whatever our arguments between ourselves, they shouldn’t get in the way of that, you know? You can watch the half-hearted imitation of me. And, then, when you’ve recovered from that, you get the real deal! (Laughing) God bless them. Do they know what they’ve walked into? Said the spider to the fly. Should be a riot.”
The Riot Fest schedule sheds light on just how close Jones and Lydon will come to sharing a stage this year. The festival runs in Chicago from September 18 through 20. Organizers have placed Sex Pistols and Public Image Limited on back-to-back days rather than the same afternoon. This gives both camps some breathing room while still setting up their long-anticipated reunion at the same event.
Sex Pistols now perform with Frank Carter handling lead vocals, while Jones, Paul Cook, and Glen Matlock hold down the rest of the original lineup. The 2026 outing marks 50 years since the band’s formation. The anniversary tour has taken the group across Germany, the UK, and now North America, with the current leg kicking off in Texas before working its way toward the Riot Fest date.
Lydon has been candid about the unusual nature of appearing at the same festival as his former band. He framed the scheduling as fair, noting that the promoter gave him the choice to weigh in before confirming the lineup. He chose not to stand in anyone’s way of playing the show.
The dynamic between the two camps captures a familiar pattern for the Sex Pistols’ surviving members and their old frontman: public jabs paired with an underlying respect for the music’s legacy. Jones’ comments suggest he’s approaching the reunion with more warmth than friction, even as Lydon continues to needle the current touring lineup in interviews.
Both Steve Jones and John Lydon are set to perform separately at Riot Fest, where their paths may finally cross once again.
