Last night at the Forum, Kentish Town, the reunited Libertines threw out the gauntlet to any wannabe pretenders.
Carl and Pete led the maverick crusaders into a vintage repertoire that would make any musically enabled person smile. Dressed in trademark black Carl’s vocals on ‘Shoop Shoop’ had the lucky few stumbling over chairs in an unusually seated venue.
'Horrorshow', 'The Delaney', 'Vertigo', and 'Up The Bracket' followed showcasing a band still in their prime. 'Lust Of The Libertines', 'Campaign Of Hate' and 'Boys In The Band' were played with characteristic passion.
Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, John Hassall and Gary Powell played in the HMV Forum in front of an audience comprised of friends of the band and family members.
“Pete held his own” said a joyful invitee “But Carl was the beating heart tonight. I can’t wait for Reading, in my musical calendar it’s got to be the gig of the year.”
The plucky foursome delivered a frantically calm set including all the hits so if you are in Leeds or Reading make sure you don’t miss this. It’s what music is all about, great tunes delivered well, with emotion, charisma and a willing suspension of disbelief. World class!
Music News were lucky enough to witness the event and can only say if all ‘warm up’ gigs worked this well there would be no point in festivals.
Tonight they play the the Forum again for fans who bought tickets through an internet ballot and play Leeds Festival on Friday and Reading Festival on Saturday.
Speaking to Music News after the show Carl said "It felt great tonight. We all enjoyed the set and want to give it our all at the weekend. We've still got that chemistry on stage same as ever."
On the grapevine we hear that there could be a new Libertines album in the making, we hope that is true.
The Libertines setlist:
'Horrorshow'
'The Delaney'
'Vertigo'
'Last Post On The Bugle'
'Begging'
'The Ha Ha Wall'
'Lust Of The Libertines'
'Campaign Of Hate'
'Boys In The Band'
'Tell The King'
'Death On The Stairs'
'Music When The Lights Go Out'
'What Katie Did'
'The Saga'
'Can't Stand Me Now'
'What Became Of The Likely Lads'
'Don't Look Back Into The Sun'
'The Good Old Days'
'Time For Heroes'
'Radio America'/Up The Bracket'
'What A Waster'
'I Get Along'
