Photo: Wenn
Pete Doherty helped reopen the Paris venue Bataclan last night, with help from fellow Libertine Carl Barat.
With the venue being officially reopened by Sting last week, Doherty played the first of two shows at the Bataclan as part of his European solo tour, and was joined on stage by bandmate Barat to pay tribute to those affected by last year's terrorist attacks. Doherty and Barat provoked a crowd rendition of the French National Anthem 'La Marseillaise' and Doherty presented a French flag with the statement 'Fuck forever terrorism' and peace sign marking it.
89 people were killed at the venue last November as an Eagles of Death Metal show was targeted as one of a series of terrorist attacks across Paris. Venue bosses told the public after the attack: "It will reopen, no question about it. Hearts will be heavy for a few months, a few years. But we will reopen.", before telling music fans: "We will not surrender."
False reports emerged last week claiming Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes was banned from the venue's reopening last week. with the Bataclan manager claiming the band were not allowed in the venue over controversial comments made by Hughes after the attack.
Meanwhile, The Libertines are currently working on the follow-up to their third record Anthems For Doomed Youth, and recently told NME that they hope to have a record out late next year.
“We’re looking to bed in together,” Barat said. “We want to get our own place, which is a bit of a long and convoluted project. There’s a lot of planning and maybes which I can’t say too much about, but we’re looking at getting our own factory.” It's good to know we won't be waiting over a decade this time.
Pete Doherty continues his European tour, which includes a date at London's O2 Forum next month.
See full dates below:
Lyon, Le Transbordeur (22)
Caen, Le Cargo (24)
Nantes, Stereolux (25)
London, O2 Forum (December 6)
Manchester, Albert Hall (December 7)
