Back together again - The Libertines play the HMV Forum in Kentish Town
Published: 02 September 2010
by AMAH-ROSE ABRAMS
THE Libertines took to the stage together again after splitting in 2004 at the weekend’s Reading and Leeds festivals – but not before performing two warm-up shows at Camden’s HMV Forum last week.
Last Tuesday’s gig was billed as a live rehearsal for “friends, family and blaggers”.
Having had only one real run-through of the set beforehand, Pete Doherty and Carl Barat appeared nervous over whether they could recapture the magic.
They were filmed by long-term friend of the band and music photographer Roger Sargent who is making a documentary to be released early next year.
After filming at Reading, Roger told Grooves: “I think that everyone was nervous that it wasn’t going to work out – the friends and family show made them realise it was going to be OK.”
There were many questions on the streets of Kentish Town ahead of the show: Would we all be filled with the same energy and inspiration that infected audiences the first time around?
Would there be the same electric chemistry between members of the band?
Would there be a riot?
The answers are yes, yes and no.
The gig started with Horrorshow and while the band sounded tighter than ever there seemed to be an energy lacking between Doherty and Barat – it was clear that something had changed over the past few years.
The opener was followed by the classic b-side to Time for Heroes, The Delaney, and then Vertigo during which Doherty and Barat shared the microphone for the first time.
The tension and chemistry built as they became more accustomed to being on stage together, and when it came to Death on The Stairs things started to get a bit more emotional and there was some of the passion of the halcyon days.
The gig ended with I Get Along and the whole place was rocking away just like the old days.
The post-performance crowd were clearly emotional, pouring out on to the streets of Camden, looking for the next party – some things never change.
The band went on to storm the following night’s gig at the Forum and play triumphant sets at Reading and Leeds.