Pete Doherty: 'We're working on new Libertines album - that's the dream'

Band 'have the desire to complete old ideas'

13:49 16th June 2014

Pete Doherty has spoken out about the potential of a new album from The Libertines, saying that it's ultimately 'the dream' in the wake of their upcoming reunion gigs.

The band recently reunited for massive show at London's Hyde Park for the British Summertime gigs, before announcing further dates in Glasgow in Europe. They have hinted at the possibility of playing new material, but now it seems somewhat more likely.

"A new record is exactly what we're talking about, that's the dream, really," Pete Doherty told The Daily Record. "Finish off all those ideas that we never completed back in the day, all those songs we never played for anyone else that have been floating around in the ether. We're also wanting to try out a few new ideas so it wouldn't just be old stuff.

"I don't want to tempt fate but we both have the desire, so I think it will happen. It's important to be honest and there's still a lot we have to say. We're still relevant."

Speaking about recent rehearsals with Carl Barat in Spain, Doherty continued: "He came to see me about three weeks ago in Barcelona and we had a little chat. He's never done that in all the time since we split up. We've met, obviously, but its always been with a third party or a chaperone, management or even bloody security."

He added: "So we went out, just the two of us, in Barcelona. We were talking about the band and making plans, getting our guitars out and going for a little wander around the city, sitting in the square at night, playing all the songs. It was magical. It felt better than anything and meant the world to me. I love him and he loves me and it’s important that we could tell each other that."

Watch Carl Barat discussing The Libertines with Gigwise below

The Libertines' newly 2014 European tour dates are below. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 20 June. For more information on these and previously announced UK dates, visit Gigwise tickets.

Paris, Zenith - September 30)
Amsterdam, Heineken Music Hall - October 2
Brussels, FN Club - October 3
Berlin, Columbiahalle - October 4
Dusseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle - October 5

Below: The many highs and lows of The Libertines' career so far

1997: Pete Doherty and Carl Barat meet through Pete's older sister, Amy-Jo, who Barat shares a flat with in Richmond. The pair bond over their passion for songwriting, move to Camden, and form a band. Initially calling themselves The Strand, they rename themselves The Libertines.
December 2001: Doherty and Barat, alongside drummer Gary Powell and bassist John Hassall, are signed to Rough Trade Records. Barat and Doherty move into a flat in Bethnal Green, which hosts many of their infamous guerrilla gigs.
June 2002: The Libertines release their first single, double A side 'What A Waster'/'I Get Along'. The controversial 'What A Waster', packed full of swear words, receives barely any radio play, but a censored version is chosen by Radio 1's Mark and Lard as single of the week. 'What A Waster' charts at No 37.
October 2002: The band's popularity rises, and they release their debut album Up the Bracket - which receives widespread critical acclaim. It charts at No 35. They win Best New Band at the NME Awards.
May 2003: Barat and Doherty's relationship deteriorates as Doherty spirals into drug addiction. The pair travel to New York, where they record songs that later would become known as The Babyshambles Sessions, but Barat quits the sessions early, sick of the people Doherty is surrounding himself with and the extent of his drug abuse.
August 2003: The rising tensions between Doherty and Barat, detailed in their hit single 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun', come to a fever pitch when Doherty organises a special birthday gig for Barat. Barat fails to turn up, Doherty feels betrayed, and burgles Barat's flat. He later pleads guilty and is sentenced to six months in prison (later reduced to two). Meanwhile, 'Don't Look Back In The Sun' charts at No 11 - their biggest hit yet.
October 2003: Barat meets Doherty at the prison gates as soon as he's released, and the pair perform an emotional reunion gig at a pub in Kent, joined by Hassall and Powell. It's later named NME's Gig of the Year. The end of 2003 is filled with successful shows, including a sold-out run at London's Forum. The band continue to tour until May 2004, and everything seems relatively back on track.
April 2004: Pete releases his first solo single, 'For Lovers', a collaboration with his friend and poet Wolfman. It charts at No 7, four places higher than The Libertines' most successful release. Barat plays guitar for the B-side, 'Back From The Dead', despite his disapproval of Wolfman, who is also a heavy drug user.
May 2004: Tensions escalate again during the recording of The Libertines' second album, with security hired during studio sessions to keep Barat and Doherty from fighting. Doherty's battle with drug abuse continues. He quits the studio sessions early and admits himself into rehab. He leaves early, then returns a week later.
August 2004: With Doherty out of the band until he's clean, The Libertines release 'Can't Stand Me Now' which chronicles the breakdown of Barat and Doherty's friendship. It charts at No 2. Their second, self-titled album follows, and tops the album charts. The now-iconic cover features Barat and Doherty showing off their matching 'Libertine' tattoos.
December 2004: The Libertines play what will be their final show, in Paris - without Doherty. Barat decides to bring the band to an end, reluctant to continue performing under the name The Libertines without Doherty.
November 2005: No longer in contact with Barat, Doherty releases his first album with his project Babyshambles. Down in Albion charts at No 10, receiving lukewarm reviews from critics. It causes controversy for the inclusion of The Libertines fan favourite 'Albion'. On 'La Belle et La Bete', Doherty collaborates with his then-girlfriend Kate Moss. Their high-profile relationship made Doherty tabloid fodder.
May 2006: Alongside his new band Dirty Pretty Things, which features former Libertines drummer Gary Powell, Barat releases Waterloo To Anywhere. It receives critical acclaim, and charts at No 3.
October 2007: After signing a deal with Parlophone, Babyshambles release their second album Shotter's Nation. It charts at No 5 and spawns singles 'Delivery' and 'You Talk'. The band embark on their first arena tour in November. Meanwhile, Doherty's drug abuse continues very publicly, with several newspapers publishing photos of him appearing to make his cat smoke from a crack pipe.
October 2008: Dirty Pretty Things announce their split after the poor performance of their second album Romance at Short Notice, which spends just one week in the album chart. They play their last gig in December.
March 2009: Pete (now Peter) Doherty releases his debut solo album, Grace/Wastelands. It receives critical acclaim, although it only charts at No 17. Three months later, Doherty is arrested for driving under the influence and heroin possession. He is released on a £50,000 bail.
March 2010: The Libertines announce they will be reuniting to perform at Reading and Leeds festivals at a press conference, which turns into a guerrilla gig. The band perform 2 shows at the HMV Forum before taking to the stage at Reading's Little John Farm and Leeds' Bramham Park.
April 2014: After four years of contradictory statements, Barat and Doherty both indicate they will play a reunion show at Hyde Park on July 5 2014. It's yet to be officially confirmed, but watch this space.