The Libertines are a band that have perhaps reached mythic status. The debauched stories of their early 2000’s heyday and the subsequent near 10-year fall out that followed are stuff of legend. Now, The Libertines are back on form with a new album and tour that demonstrates not only a more mellow and introspective side to the group, but one that proves their legacy is cemented in British music history.

As the band came to the stage they burst straight into fan-favorite, ‘Up The Bracket’, with all in attendance reveling in flashing the band the v’s in unison with the tracks refrain, “See these two cold fingers”, before following on with, ‘I Have a Friend’ and, ‘What Became of The Likely Lads?’. The start of the set certainly cemented the fact that The Libertines are fully aware of what the fans want from their live shows and are more than happy to give it to them.

This is not to say that the tracks from their newest album, ‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade’ were met with little fanfare, in fact the opposite was true as, ‘Night of the Hunter’ demonstrated. Smacked between, ‘Boys in the Band’ and, ‘What Katie Did?’, the track lost none of its brilliant melodrama and held the crowd in the palm of its hand.

‘Baron’s Claw’, ‘Shiver’ and ‘Merry Old England’ continued the run of songs from their latest album and confirmed that The Libertines are a band that are only now hitting their peaks as both songwriters and musicians, with Doherty’s guitar playing in-particular being incredibly impressive. 

‘Music When the Lights Go Out’ was, of course, the emotional high point of the night with not just couples, but total strangers embracing each other and singing each and every lyric with pure passion.

The main set closed out with the one-two punch of, ‘Run Run Run’ and, ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ before the band came on for a blistering encore that consisted of tracks such as, ‘What a Waster’, ‘Gunga Din and, ‘Time for Heroes’ before the iconic, ‘Don’t Look Back Into the Sun’ capped off the evening in expert form.

The Libertines are a band that have finally shed their history. Gone is the shambolic hedonism of their youth, days when you would be unsure if they would even turn up to the gig let alone play it. The band that exists now are a set of extremely accomplished musicians that have lived the rock and roll lifestyle and are thoroughly enjoying their latest chapter.