A ramshackle affair with plenty of charm. The Libertines may have sobered with age, but their live shows are still a testament to the indie scene. Welcoming (fashionably late) to the stage…
THE LIBERTINES
If you DO look back into the sun, you’ll find Talbot Street glowing with the reignited fervour of fans new and old. The legendary tale of The Libertines has brought a nearly sold-out show into our venue tonight and it’s a doozy!
An ever-growing rag-tag roster of the UK’s hottest new indie talent joins the band on tour, courtesy of Pete Doherty’s Strap Original label. The latest off the conveyor belt is Vona Vella, a harmonious duo who pitter-patter their vocals over sprightly guitar driven melodies. There’s an innate versatile expertise to their songwriting; for all their softly spoken soundscapes, the duo scream of DIY musicianship and it’s lovely to see a decent crowd have shown up for their poetic lyricism. With barely enough time for a trip to the bar – albeit the five-minute interchanges are an unusual move, the venue is filling up nicely to catch Doherty’s latest signings in enough stead – Real Farmer take to the stage. They’re immediately hard-hitting with a frustrated energy, reveling in the urgency of their sound: this punkish power group let their music do the talking, and you better be listening.
Nothing beats the simplicity of a man and his guitar, and Ed Cosens delivers on warming the crowd up with a short acoustic set. It does the trick, so much so that as Doherty makes his entrance in typically chaotic fashion, our rapturous applause is premature as he regales us the story of his new-found support act. “I was walking my dog down Upper Parliament Street last night,” he begins, “I got talking to this man and he said he was a poet. I liked his poems. I think Rock City would be a good stage for him.”
By the time The Libertines hit the stage with their trademark tardiness, they’re launching into The Delaney with enough nostalgia, revelry, and surprises to get us jumping from the get-go. What Became of the Likely Lads is laden with love. These tunes which soundtracked the teenage years of many in crowd evident, piling in droves from the back to the mosh pit gives no room for. If you don’t know the words to every single tune, you’ve got no chance on the floor.
“We always associate this song with Nottingham; we played Rescue Rooms for the first time 25 years ago and it’s still one of our favourite memories!”
Deeper cut Death on the Stairs singlehandedly proves that frontmen Pete Doherty and Carl Barât have the audience in the palm of their hands. Signatured crooning into the singular mic; leaning against one another, an affection stage maneuver that hits poignantly given their history, garners a lot of noise tonight. As the set progressed, the band dipped into more tender territory with Music When The Lights Go Out, bathed in red light as the band stood silhouetted against the backdrop. The audience joined together in unison, proving once again that The Libertines can captivate as much with their softer moments as with their punchy anthems.
New single Run Run Run slotted seamlessly into the set, feeling like a classic Libertines track that wouldn’t be out of place on any of their earlier records. The combination of that with the undeniable indie anthem Can’t Stand Me Now was electric, offering both a nod to their past and a firm assertion of their continued relevance.
THE LIBERTINES PERFORMED MONDAY 21ST OCTOBER
WORDS: TALIA ROBINSON
ROCK CITY NOTTINGHAM
We’re not only Nottingham’s favourite venue and nightclub – we’re the UK’s best live venue with a rich history of performers that have played here. Big up to The Libertines for showing us just how it’s done!
Also while you’re at it, why not check out our gig guide and see if any other of your favourite artists like The Libertines are playing soon! We also have our club nights on a Thursday (Tuned), Friday (Get Lucky) and Saturday (Rebel Rebel) so check those out too!
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