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The new Jacaranda Club, based in the Baltic Triangle, played host to musical royalty in the form of Pete Doherty and Carl Barat, who performed a captivating set. With a stripped back, and wonderfully intimate performance, The Libertines duo delivered a mix of classics and exciting new material to an adoring crowd.
The legendary rockers have swapped the arenas for small and sweaty venues as they embark on their Albionay Tour, to promote their album All quiet on the Eastern Esplanade. With their first album release in nine years, the band are back.
Doherty, donning a baby blue trench-coat and a trademark trilby addressed the room, whilst his partner looked the image of mid 2000’s Indie, sporting a flat cap with his leather jacket.
An eager crowd awaited the familiar chords of fan-favourite Don’t Look Back Into the Sun, which opened the set. The 2003 hit was given a new acoustic identity, but sounded as fresh as ever. Greeted by a sea of smiles, the tone for the evening was set.
Next came new release Run Run Run, a song about escaping past experiences and embracing a new reality, with of course a typical Libertines’ catchy chorus. The song is perhaps an ode to Doherty’s former addiction troubles. His life has now changed, with the frontman claiming he has swapped his drug addiction for Camembert cheese.
The paid who are two great musical soulmates of the 21st century were on fine form, radiating their chemistry through the packed-out room. It was a trip back to 2004 next, with hits Can’t Stand Me Now and Music When The Lights Go Out, which of course were welcomed by a crowd revelling in the nostalgia.
Conversing sparingly with the audience, Doherty told how he visited the new Redbrick Market next door, to get prepared, followed by a reveal of an on-brand customised suit. They shifted away from the past with new releases Mustang and Shiver. Barat took the lead on these, with Doherty’s backing vocals as delightful as ever.
The musical icons were clearing having fun on stage, often sharing the microphone and holding each other’s gaze. It’s not hard to see why the band is still here, with on-stage chemistry like that.
The potential for chaos is part of the band’s beautiful unpredictability. Fans were amused to be treated to only the first few lines of 2003 B-Side Seven Deadly Sins before the song was halted, due to them forgetting it.
The Margate rockers ended strong, with a trio of hits from their debut album Up the Bracket, featuring swaggering classic Vertigo. Final number of the night Tell the King, saw the grateful room, sing the icons off the stage.
A short set may have left fans longing for more, but what they were treated to was special. Armed with classics and supported with updated material, The Libertines are back in 2024, marking the return of Indie heritage.
Remaining tour dates can be found here
