Somewhere along the line, the average Peter Doherty devotee has shifted from literate, long-haired indie kid to boorish, beer-chucking ruffian.
Doherty himself, meanwhile, has matured and shaken off the drug-addled image that once sold so many tabloids: earlier this year, his first solo album Grace/Wastelands garnered well-deserved critical acclaim for its winsome, sepia-tinged balladry.
Given this juxtaposition, Friday’s gig could easily have fallen flat. Thankfully, Doherty was back in full Babyshambles mode: hammering out raucous, messy rock ‘n’ roll with hedonistic abandon. Looking on the wagon, and dressed somewhat like Fagin’s younger, cleaner brother he exuded a louche kind of charisma in spades.
Chiming, delicate guitar interplay between Doherty and Mik Whitnall made Baddie’s Boogie a mid-set highlight. Sedative showed a welcome, more laid back streak as Drew McConnell’s muscular, dubby bass mingled with spiky riffs. But Babyshambles are best when channeling the spirit of The Libertines, as on punkier songs such as Side of the Road or the frenetic Pipedown.
Libertines favourites Time For Heroes and What Katie Did were dispatched relatively early on. Both sparked hysteria, but it would have been nice to hear the fruits of Doherty’s recent labours, rather than that of six years ago.
Not that new songs matter though, when you can bask in the glory of being able to unleash the closing knockout blow of Albion, Killamangiro and F*** Forever. The former referenced East Kilbride, and has a wistful beauty that did not fade as it meandered, long and anthemic. The latter ended violently in a hail of feedback, putting an abrupt end to a compelling, convincing and artfully shambolic return.
Star rating: ****
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