Two dogs wander out onto the iconic stage as Pete Doherty drinks in the opening applause before strumming out ‘The Ballad Of’ and ‘She Is Far. Tonight’s solo show is an emotive meandering stroll through one of Britain’s most recognisable, talented and mystical musical creatures. The songs flow as ‘Tell The King’ and ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ followed by a truly beautiful ‘Albion’. Archive footage of Hancock and Sid James punctures the songs as Doherty refuels and finishes a clutch of songs by sitting on one of two sofas placed on stage in between a sixties-style radio and a pot plant, (both of which are later looted). Doherty playfully compares the RAH to Hull’s Welly Club as ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ and ‘French Dog Blues’ are nostalgically sung word for word. The atmosphere builds as beer runs finally stop for ‘I Get Along’ and ‘Never Never’ before The Libertines’ (and Soccer AM favourite) ‘Time For Heroes’ is announced. Doherty then light-heartedly regales the crowd with a story of how the last time he was here, there was a stage invasion before making a wistful, join me, gesture. Chaos breaks out as two or three plucky chancers are followed by a hundred or so more.
Doherty is buried in high-spirited alcohol-soaked male bodies before someone gets chinned, and the now lager-soaked stage turns into a cross between an ice rink and a health and safety nightmare. Order is partly restored before Doherty returns, waving a QPR flag and heading stage left. He couldn’t have continued anyway, as the stage was stripped bare. Foolish, anarchic or just plain irresponsible, Pete “The Artful Dodger” Doherty continues to enthral, enrage and occasionally disappoint. It’s one and the same.
