Photo: Richard Gray
The Libertines' dream of having their own headquarters to "record, rehearse, write and do whatever they want" is coming together as Carl Barât confirmed they're only "waiting for planning permission."
In an entertaining interview with Gordon Smart for the first ever episode of This Feeling TV, Barât said, "We're doing everything we can [...] We’re jumping through hoops – the last thing we’re waiting on is getting the planning permission. If that goes through then we’re in business and rolling with a place to make a record, place to rehearse, place to write, a place to do whatever we want really.”
The Libertines HQ is also going to serve as a hotel, bar and restaurant and will make wherever they're likely to reveal the location a huge draw for fans. Barât describes it as "our own personal slice of Arcadia."
The location is not confirmed but it is rumoured to be a Victorian seaside town on the East coast not too far from London.
This is great news for fans as they gear up for the fourth Libertines album to be made. Barât said there will be a new album as "we've got so much more material we've got so much more to do and say." The band are currently booked to do a number of festivals this summer whilst each band member remains busy with other band projects.
Notably, Peter Doherty has numerous shows around the world this summer, including a gig in Moscow and a tour of South America. His bassist Drew McConnell recently announced that he's Liam Gallagher's new bassist leaving Doherty to source a replacement. The new bassist recently made an appearance at Brixton Jamm where Doherty played an eventful two sets, the final of which went on late into the night. During the show former bandmate Mick Whitnall joined the band stage for a number of songs which went down a storm with fans.
Meanwhile, Gary Powell has joined The Specials as a drummer and bassist John Hassall has released an astounding album with his Danish band, The April Rainers, who play Record Factory, Glasgow on 12 May and Green Room, Perth 13 May.
Two members of The April Rainers also play in a fantastic new band band called The New Family who played a phenomenal set at SPOT festival in Aarhus on Saturday (5 May). They proved Hassall has the most outstanding young musicians in Scandinavia in his group.
Barât is also on tour with his band The Jackals, who formed through a series of auditions held in South East London's live venue The Amersham Arms.
The Libertines tour dates
20 May - Birkenhead, Wirral Live
21 July - Sheffield, Tramlines
21 - 23 July - Steventon, Truck Festival
03 Aug - Newcastle, Times Square
10 September - London, On Blackheath
