The Libertines

The Libertines have sailed choppy waters in past times but with last year’s excellent number 1 album ‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade’ and a sold-out tour recent times have seen relative calmness in the Libertines camp.

As they started their three-day stay at Chalk Farm's wonderful Roundhouse it was all smiles as they kicked off a 1 hour 45-minute set spanning their career with ‘Up the Bracket’ from their 2002 debut album. Centre stage Carl Barat looks the same as he ever did ready to lead the charge with a heavier Pete Doherty to his right, clearly enjoying married life and cheese in France.

‘What Became of the Likely Lads’ and ‘Boys in the Band’ resonate with the crowd and nostalgia rules. ‘Night of the Hunter’ sees The Dirty Pretty Strings in classic red military tunics backing Pete Doherty led vocals, the evocative tune serving to remind us that The Libertines have several gears at their disposal and are still able to plumb emotional depths. ‘Merry Old England’ and ‘Shiver’ both with The Dirty pretty Strings including Carl’s wife sitting just beside him as he plays piano, serve to perfectly expend their set.

The stage set also works well with their Margate based Albion Rooms Recording Studio and Hotel the backdrop complete with erotic moves from seductive dancers silhouetted in the windows.

‘Run Run Run’ snaps us out of a mid-set lull while ‘Can't Stand Me Now’ sees the largest crowd reaction of the night. The encore ‘What a Waster’ is high intensity and sees the Libertines at their best, those familiar riffs and drum patterns exactly what this audience came for.

The closing couplet of ‘Time for Heroes’ and ‘Don't Look Back Into the Sun’ are delivered with a familiar frenzy that few bands can match and is why The Libertines still hold their place in the hearts of fans all over the world. If tonight’s performance is anything to go by these four lads still have a lot to give and I for one can’t wait for the next instalment.

Setlist
Up the Bracket
I Have a Friend
What Became of the Likely Lads
Boys in the Band
Night of the Hunter (with The Dirty Pretty Strings strings section)
What Katie Did
The Good Old Days (preceded by drum solo)
Baron’s Claw (with brass section)
Shiver (with The Dirty Pretty Strings strings section)
Merry Old England (with The Dirty Pretty Strings strings section)
Vertigo
Death on the Stairs
You're My Waterloo (with The Dirty Pretty Strings strings section)
Music When the Lights Go Out (with The Dirty Pretty Strings strings section)
Horrorshow
Run Run Run
Can't Stand Me Now

Encore:
Man With the Melody (with The Dirty Pretty Strings strings section)
What a Waster
Gunga Din
Last Post on the Bugle
Songs They Never Play on the Radio (with The Dirty Pretty Strings strings section)
Time for Heroes
Don't Look Back Into the Sun