LIVE REVIEW - THE LIBERTINES – BRITISH SUMMER TIME/LONDON – 05/07/14

The reunion of The Libertines has been a popular topic for sometime now, with Pete Doherty's tweet of 'l' numerous rumours were spawned, questions asked. By some sort of godly-miracle The Libertines reformed. An announcement of a headline slot at British Summer Time, a festival held in Hyde Park, London, supported by Irish legends, The Pogues soon followed. 

Photo Credit: NME

A nationwide countdown dictated many lives of the hard-core, loyal Libertines fans who have prayed for this moment for years after the bro-mance between Barât and Doherty came to a painful end in 2004. With a promising recollection in 2010 things were looking up but nothing came out of the performance at Reading and Leeds Festival.

Opening with a strong rendition of 'Vertigo' the boys showed they were back and back with a bang, promising a brilliant performance for the thousands of dedicated fans trekking it to London to witness this beautiful reunion. However the second song (Boys In A Band) of their 24 song set their performance was called to a halt due to the crowd being crushed at the barriers. A delay of 10 minutes followed with a warning issued by Doherty, "we can't carry on if you don't calm down a little bit." 

Awhile later fans climbed the sound towers in aim to get a better view, repeated warnings were issued and further delays followed, looking around I could see people getting a little bit 'pissed off' to say the least. Huge black letters appeared on the screen, 'Please get down from the delay tower', yet fans persisted. Powell and Hassall had left the stage to allow Barât and Doherty to play a stripped-down version of 'France' which was interrupted due to the climbing of the towers. Barât then shouted at fans as the delays continued: "If you don’t stop climbing the towers, Pigman can't do his solo."Unfortunately due to continuous delays the song was never played in full. 


The atmosphere was electric as The Libertines approached the end of their set however there was a lingering feeling of dread as many have waited for this for months and it is finally coming to an end, a historic event you really had to witness. A beautiful celebration of music in a fabulous setting. 

As the gig came to a close the boys shuffled into a line to salute the mass of people gathered to witness the recollection of four ridiculously talented men, Powell bellowed: "You are all amazing and you are all Libertines."

Set List:
'Vertigo'
'Boys In The Band'
'The Delaney'
'Campaign Of Hate' 
'Time For Heroes'
'Horrorshow'
'Begging'
'The Ha Ha Wall'
'Music When The Lights Go Out'
'What Katy Did'
'The Boy Looked At Johnny'
'Can't Stand Me Now'
'Last Post On The Bugle'
'Love On The Dole'
'Death On The Stairs'
'Radio America'
'Don't Look Back Into The Sun'
'Tell The King'
'Up The Bracket'
'What A Waster'
'France' 
'Albion'
'I Get Along'

Georgie Bridges