For years everyone was begging for a reunion of one of the most iconic bands of the 00’s indie scene. It played out like a soap opera, both Pete and Carl had found new partners in the forms of Babyshambles and Dirty Pretty Things along with their own solo material. There was a real would they, wouldn’t they mentality therefore when their first shows back in 2010 came along, they were huge events.
Since then they’ve been doing everything at their own pace with only a handful of tours and shows in the UK including the release of their 2015 album “Anthems For Doomed Youth”. What was surprising was how natural and authentic it all felt. Back to the present day the sold out show in Bristol tonight and everything feels exactly where it should be. As expected the band are slightly late coming on stage. However as soon as the opening of “The Delaney” strikes up, the entire Academy goes crazy. Those waiting at the front are forced to the back in the sea of bodies and vice versa.
Things don’t let up during both “Heart Of The Matter” or “Horrorshow” either. I personally have the equivilant of three pints of lager in my hair at this point, but others are less fortunate with shoes, shirts and even trousers flying through the air. “Boys In The Band” still sounds great to this day and there is still an edge to the band which is really appealing. It’s a weird juxtaposition where they sound both tight and somehow slightly shambolic at the same time. It’s all part of the charm though and is one of the reasons why they are still beloved. “You’re My Waterloo” allows the crowd to have a breather from moving about and sing along instead. It sees Barat switching his guitar for a piano and is a really welcome change of pace.
Later on in the set during “Dead For Love” the same is done again and the result is a really intimate performance which sees all four members gathered around the piano and singing into the mic. In that moment it makes you feels that being a “Libertine” is the best job in the world and they wouldn’t be anywhere else at that time.
There’s a large section of songs from their self-titled second album with “The Saga”, “Last Post On The Bugle”, “The Ha Ha Wall” and “Can’t Stand Me Know” all played in quick succession, the later getting the biggest reaction of the night thus far. Whilst “the hits” have been played before, it’s crazy to think that even bigger tunes are being saved for the end. Both “Up The Bracket” and “What Became Of The Likely Lads” are stand outs before a version of “Time For Heroes” which sends everybody into a frenzy.
The encore starts with a fan request and a rare outing for the B-Side “France” which flows beautifully into “Music When The Lights Go Out” and “What Katie Did”. It’s nice to have an encore which isn’t coming at you 100 mph but allows you to listen to the lyrics and absorb what great song writers they are. Musically they are never going to match the likes of bands like “Tool”, but that’s not the point; what they have is a heck of a lot of heart. After “The Good Old Days” they all take to the front of the stage to take their bows with the 11pm curfew almost up.
However, the chants of “one more song” keep coming and they take their instruments back before bursting into the wonderful “Don’t Look Back Into The Sun”. It’s one of those songs and moments where everybody comes together and just embraces everything. Everyone is dancing with whoever might be next to them, arms around and jumping in the air and you forget about what other troubles might be going on in the world right now. The Libertines have always had that punk mentality behind their music. Part of their charm and appeal comes from the fact that they remind you of the DIY bands you’d form with your mates as a teenager. It’s a testiment to the band that these songs still stand the test of time and that they still feel relevant even to this day.