The
Libertines at Unity Rocks, Brixton 7th September 2016
By James Bohrsmanm
As one frontman was carried from the stage
by security, the second strode along refusing to be halted by the venue cutting
the sound. He maintained the frenzy of the crowd as they finished the show for
him, singing in unison for the final song.
It was The Libertines, of course. It was
the band’s first official UK gig in over nine months and marked a triumphant
return to their hometown of London. Carl Barat was unceremoniously escorted off
stage while his partner in crime Pete Doherty remained to inspire the crowd
through a triumphant finale.
Despite never reaching the mainstream
heights that their talent perhaps merited, the four-piece have cemented a
legacy in Indie Rock and they reminded the Brixton fans why this past
Wednesday. On a warm September night in their hometown, The Libertines took
their fans back to the early 2000’s and a late night gig in Camden. They
reminded everyone of that raw energy and passion and they showed why they are
one of the greatest British bands in recent years.
The connection between Barat and Doherty on
stage was present as ever, with the two joyfully embracing between songs,
laughing and talking before thundering into frantic guitar riffs which had
crowd surfers being pushed away from stage by security. As always the
performance was full of scuffed riffs and botched transitions, but with The
Libertines it wouldn’t be the same without that. Towards the end another
suitably entertaining missed transition between songs left a period of no
music, before Doherty powered into ‘Don’t Look Back into the Sun’ and sent the
crowd into another frantic few minutes.
They opened the show with ‘The Delaney’
followed by ‘Barbarians’, before picking up a favourite from their new album in
the shape of powerful single ‘Heart of the Matter’. The set went into overdrive
when the band hammered out the notorious opening to ‘Horrow Show’. Anyone who
saw the band in the early days would remember this as the catalyst for many a
destroyed venue around London – a song that encapsulates the raw and feverish
beginnings of the band.
Barat was carried off stage shortly after
the conclusion of the last song, before Pete returned alone to finish with an
encore of sorts. The power was cut but with Doherty’s encouragement the crowd
finished ‘Music When the Lights Go Out’ – a fitting finale given the situation.
Based on last week’s performance, The
Libertines should sit atop any rock ‘n’ roll fans bucket list to experience
live. The show served as a reminder that this raucous four-piece remain one of
the world’s most entertaining bands. Oh to be a Libertine.
