We can't hear what he's playing with Wass though cos there's a load uber fans chanting 'We Love You Pete We Do'. People are still filing into the theatre looking surprised that his Majesty is already on stage.

He's wearing a bowler hat, scarf and silver neckless over his dark cardigan and trousers.

Alex Hoban

Blimey that painter's a fast worker, a third of the canvas is now profile portrait of Wass as he warms up the crowd. With two thirds of that canvas left, my guess is an indie tryptic by the end of the night.

Alex Hoban

Corr, the blog starts here...

Live from seat H11 of the Hackney Empire direct to your desktop.

Blackberry is a beautiful thing, if I don't get beaten up for distracting people with its bright screen you can expect updates all night.

Adam Wass has just rolled out on stage. There's a bloke next to him painting his performance on a giant canvas. Its like a wierd urchin indie version of Rolf's Cartoon Club. Let's hope Pete outshines his own caricature later on. Stay tuned folks.

Alex.

Alex Hoban

Didn’t get tickets for Pete Doherty’s second solo show this evening (April 12)?

Well fear not, NME.COM is publishing a special blog straight from the Hackney Empire which will give you a blow-by-blow account of everything the Babyshambles frontman gets up to on stage.

Last night saw Doherty linking up with guitar legend Bert Jansch and playing a host of classics by his old band The Libertines – and he’s promising more of the same this evening, with several very special gusts rumoured to be taking part, so just wait for the action to start.

Meanwhile send your photos, videos and gig reviews to news@nme.com with Pete as the subject and we will publish the best.

Alex Hoban