20 May 2016 (gig)
27 May 2016
It’s been a busy year for Peter Doherty with the release of the long awaited Third Libertines Album Anthems for Doomed Youth and a significant UK and European Tour, though he appeared in fine fettle, certainly the healthiest he’s looked in recent years.
His band featured Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell, accompanied by violinist and accordionist to make a solid collective with Doherty’s guitar playing uncharacteristically on form throughout. Several of the songs were extended and the evening had an intimate, jamming session feel.
Rattling through his solo catalogue, he also played Babyshambles and Libertines tracks including You’re My Waterloo and Time For Heroes, much to his adoring fans delight. Toward the end of the night there were huge roars as fellow Libertine Carl Barat joined him on stage to accompany on harmonica for Albion – the two sharing the mic to the crowd’s amazement.
The only louder roar of the evening came when the ringleader called out for his Libertines bandmates Gary and John, (the latter who’s band The April Rainers played earlier in the night) for renditions of Gunga Din from the latest record and the classic The Good Old Days. Later, in a chaotic ending he then called his fellow Libertines back on stage (to his own bands bemusement) for an electrifying version of Don’t Look Back into the Sun before ending with Flags of the Old Regime a heart-breaking tribute to Amy Winehouse.
Doherty showed glimpses of the rare talent he undoubtedly possesses and this should make his followers hopeful of much more to come from this likely lad.
