The Libertines live

It was, by all accounts a triumphant homecoming. There was a weight of expectation – The Libertines have always been at their best when confined to an intimate venue, face to face with a raucous crowd of die-hard fans.  But those fans turned up in droves, and succeeded in giving the cavernous O2  the feeling of a much smaller venue.

The band roared through a set comprising of old favourites and songs from their newest offering ‘Anthems for Doomed Youth’, with the new songs holding their own amongst crowd pleasers such as ‘The Delaney’ and ‘Boys in the Band’. The response was overwhelming, with Pete Doherty pausing to remark “It’s all a bit much for my little brain to take in”. Looking around the arena, it was difficult to see a single person seated.

It seems The Libertines are finally achieving what they always should have, and their absence has only made the heart grow fonder. But this is no tired reunion of a band churning out old classics for a quick buck. There’s still that sense of urgency, of excitement. There’s still the passion when Carl and Pete share a microphone. The delightfully shambolic elements have been infused with a tightness that makes them worthy arena headliners. The band start the European leg of their tour in Berlin on 7th February – after that, who knows? The future for The Libertines is, as always, far from predictable – and far from boring.
The Albion sails on course.
Joe Presley
 
The Libertines played:

1. Barbarians
2. The Delaney
3. Heart of the Matter
4. Horrorshow
5. Fame and Fortune
6. Boys in the Band
7. The Milkman’s Horse
8. What Katie Did
9. Anthem for Doomed Youth
10. You’re My Waterloo
11. The Man Who Would Be King
12. Gunga Din
13. Can’t Stand Me Now
14. Vertigo
15. Death on the Stairs
16. Time for Heroes
17. The Good Old Days

Encore:

1. Albion
2. Music When the Lights Go Out
3. Up the Bracket
4. What a Waster
5. Don’t Look Back Into the Sun