Photo: Ray Hill
You could argue that The Libertines are just as notorious for their scandals, as they are their music - or perhaps even more so. Reuniting to headline their largest ever UK show at London’s Hyde Park, Gigwise were there to witness the return of one of the most influential bands of a generation. But in typical Libertines fashion, things ran anything but smoothly…
Joined by the likes of The Enemy, Spiritualised and Reverend and The Makers to name a few, Barclaycard’s British Summer Time line-up on 5 July hosted an array of post-Britpop.
First up on the list was London quartet Wolf Alice, who opened the Barclaycard Theatre at 3:15pm. Before the band has even made an appearance, the entrance was rammed with fans unable to enter the venue, due to overcapacity. Having quickly risen to fame with their popular EP ‘Creature Songs’, the group launched into a punchy set with tracks such as ‘Blush’ and their debut single ‘Fluffy’ stealing the show. Lead singer Ellie Rowsell mixed up her usually mysterious and (let’s face it) often grumpy stage persona for one with huge smiley beams, as she dedicated ‘Bros’ to her Nan in the crowd. The performance concluded with bassist Theo Ellis jumping into the audience, sealing a triumphant set from Wolf Alice.
Playing the main stage, Maximo Park gave crowds the excuse for a good old-fashioned sing-along, with lead singer Paul Smith charming his way through newer album tracks from 2014’s ‘Too Much Information,’ such as ‘Give, Get, Take’ and ‘Her Name Was Audre’. The band could give a master class in how to play a festival setlist, with Smith jumping around energetically and placing the right amount of chitchat between songs. His charisma also added to the entertaining atmosphere, as the band spilt into ‘Our Velocity’ and ’Books from Boxes’.
Finishing the set with ‘Apply Some Pressure,’ the band instilled their signature indie- electronica sound for all it was worth. Having respectively accomplished mainstage status, through hard work and producing well-known catchy songs for over a decade, Maximo Park certainly show no signs of slowing down.
Later on in the evening Irish band The Pogues kicked off a set filled with uplifting and politically charged anthems, with lead singer Shane MacGowan announcing “these were tracks that annoyed Miss Margaret Thatcher 25-years ago,” before playing through tracks such as ‘Dirty Old Town’ and ‘Sally MacLennane’. Although any Irish frolicking was short-lived, as their set was halted as a fan received medical attention. “We’ll be back soon if it’s suitable to do so,” they told the crowd, before only returning for one more song before having to end their set entirely.
After a day of heavy drinking for some, the anticipation of The Libertines’ comeback performance was growing tenfold, with the crowd becoming more and more boisterous by the minute. As pictures of the band filled the large screens onstage, pints and smoke bombs were already flying, as well as a few punches, around Hyde Park’s now already dishevelled venue.
The four piece opened with ‘Vertigo’ to thunderous applause and chants, with Carl Barat wearing the infamous Red Guard’s jacket, which has grown as a synonymous symbol for British allegiance and a streak of rebellion alike. The band were only midway through second song ‘Boys In The Band’ before security came on stage to stop the performance, after fears for the crowd’s safety. Pete Doherty then announced: “We can’t carry on if you don’t calm down a bit.”
Looking obviously a little miffed to have been stopped mid-song, the band restarted, only to be halted again seconds later. Drummer Gary Powell walked down from his platform to the front of the stage, pleading with fans to calm down, before leading them into a chant of The White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’.
After a shaky and at times scary start, the band eventually managed to pick things back up again, with ‘The Campaign Of Hate’ and ‘The Delaney’. Doherty and Barat did well to shake off the bad beginnings, but it was obvious from bassist John Hassall’s furious face that the set of events had clearly shaken him up and ruined the moment.
The end of the set didn’t go to plan either, as fans climbed the sound towers to get a better view of the show. Barat looked frustrated as the track ‘France’ was stopped before Doherty could even finish his guitar solo.
Ending the set with ‘I Get Along’ Barat and Doherty jumped around and hugged each other until they brought each other crashing down to the floor. In true Libertines fashion, it felt like even during the unfortunate circumstances, they’d given all that they could get and enjoyed every moment possible.
But it was hard not to feel sorry for The Libertines in a way, as overexcited fans had not only ruined a potential career defining moment for the band, but also tarnished the atmosphere for spectators, who were merely there to have a good time.
Below: 15 exclusive photos of The Libertines' reunion gig at Hyde Park
.jpg)
