Babyshambles triumph at gig on eve of court case

Babyshambles triumphed last night (January 10) at their final gig before Pete Doherty’s appearance in court over drug charges.

Doherty faces up to seven years in prison if found guilty of possession of heroin and cocaine, and is due at Ealing Magistrates’ Court today.

Last night he told the sold-out crowd at Sheffield’s Plug venue: “We’re going to play you as many songs we can before it all goes tits up tomorrow.”

The gig was the second of three UK dates scheduled for this week and saw the band play a 90-minute set consisting mainly of songs from debut album ‘Down In Albion’ - including ‘Killamangiro’, ‘Back From The Dead’, and ‘Sticks And Stones’.

Fans were treated to versions of Libertines favourites ‘Up The Bracket’ and ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’, following on from the inclusion of ‘What A Waster’, ‘Time For Heroes’ and ‘Don’t Be Shy’ in their set at London KOKO on Monday.

There was also a rapturously-received cover of Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’.

The gig concluded with a three-song encore beginning with ‘La Belle Et La Bete’, followed by ‘Fuck Forever’ and finishing with ‘Loyalty Song’.

As has been the situation since their Christmas gig at London’s Rhythm Factory (December 22), Pete continued with guitar duties in the absence of guitarist Patrick Walden. “We’ve lost Patrick,” he told the crowd.

He also read out a poem written about the impending court case that was thrown onto the stage by a fan.

Doherty was arrested by police on suspicion of possessing class A drugs while driving with a friend in London on November 30. NME.COM is at court today, so click back for the latest information.

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