Cinquante ans après, les Stinky Toys en concert à Londres : on y était

In September 2026, the historic 100 Club in London hosted a poignant reunion, marking half a century since the dawn of punk rock with a performance by the French band Stinky Toys. This legendary venue, which in 1976 was at the heart of punk’s genesis, welcomed back Elli Medeiros and her reformed band to revisit a pivotal night from fifty years prior.

The original Stinky Toys lineup, fronted by Medeiros alongside guitarist Jacno, bassist Albin Dériat, guitarist Bruno Carone, and drummer Hervé Zénouda, had been part of an iconic two-night festival at the 100 Club in September 1976. That event was crucial in defining punk’s early sound and spirit, featuring seminal groups such as The Clash, the Sex Pistols, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Despite limited live experience at the time, the French ensemble boldly joined this British punk explosion, an invitation extended through a chance encounter between Medeiros and Malcolm McLaren, the influential manager behind the Sex Pistols and the festival.

Their initial arrival in London was marked by improvisation and challenges. The band traveled with minimal equipment, assuming the venue would provide instruments—a misconception leading to a memorable moment where Joe Strummer of The Clash lent Stinky Toys gear for their set. This camaraderie underscored the scene’s DIY ethos and solidarity.

Fast forward to 2026, the reassembled Stinky Toys took to the same stage, sharing the bill with X Generation X, a band reviving the legacy of the original Generation X through its drummer Mark Laff. The event was orchestrated by promoter Simon Mattock, who sought to commemorate punk’s 50th anniversary at the very place that had witnessed its birth. The 100 Club, situated on Oxford Street, retained its understated exterior but inside bore walls adorned with photographs chronicling decades of musical history.

The contemporary lineup included original vocalist Elli Medeiros alongside new collaborators such as guitarist Michel Peteau, bassist Matthieu Aschehoug, and drummer Stéphane Bellity (known as Ricky Hollywood). Peteau, with roots in 1970s krautrock and progressive rock, brought a distinctive edge to the reunion. Their setlist revisited classic Stinky Toys tracks like “Beauty and Pride,” “Birthday Party,” and “Sun Sick,” delivering them with an energy that bridged past and present.

Audience response was enthusiastic, blending seasoned punk veterans and younger fans alike. The performance underscored the enduring vitality of the band’s music, which, while originally aligned with punk’s rawness, also reflected influences beyond the genre, resisting simple categorization. Medeiros, notably, adopted modern stage technology for the first time, adapting to in-ear monitors to manage sound during the show.

The night embodied a tension between nostalgia and immediacy, with the band capturing the urgency of their early days while navigating five decades of musical evolution. Backstage, the mood was relaxed yet reflective, with discussions about the passage of time and the peculiar sensation of revisiting songs dormant for so long.

Beyond the concert, the event included reissues of Stinky Toys’ album "Plastic Faces" and Elli Medeiros’ solo work "For You," affirming renewed interest in their contributions to punk and post-punk music. A documentary chronicling the reunion and the band’s history was also in the works, highlighting the cultural resonance of their story.

The 100 Club reunion exemplified how punk’s rebellious spirit continues to inspire and connect generations. For Stinky Toys, the occasion was not merely a retrospective but a revitalization, demonstrating that their music and message remain relevant decades after that first groundbreaking night in 1976.