Babyshambles gig no-show

Pete Doherty failed to appear at Babyshambles show in Stoke last night (January 11).

Doherty was due to play at the Underground venue after making an appearance in court in London earlier the same day.

In the morning he’d appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and cocaine.

One fan at the show explained to NME.COM: “When we got to the place, the atmosphere was electric, such a good place to see a gig! The supports came on and the atmosphere was really starting to build up.

“After fully expecting Babyshambles to be on at 10pm, it then went an hour before we heard anything at all, being told that he was 'in a car' and 'on his way'. Of course, knowing the man, we thought it was in typical Pete fashion that he was running late and that he would be there to tear the place up.

“(Band collaborator) The General then made an appearance. People's hopes then started to pick up again, with the rest of Babyshambles coming out with The General to play a few songs. After five minutes of the General leaving the stage, officials informed us of Pete's absence for the night.”

A spokesperson for the band is currently unavailable to explain the no-show.

The date was the third planned gig this week, following dates in London and Sheffield earlier in the week. All have been without guitarist Patrick Walden, who walked out before Christmas.

Doherty is due in court again on February 8 for sentencing.

The charges stem from an incident in November last year, when he was stopped by police while driving. In court, prosecutors said that Doherty was found to have three wraps of heroin, with a weight of 0.875gm, and a packet of cocaine weighing 0.234 grams.

For the full story of the guitarist's walkout from the band, see this week's NME, out now nationwide.

Were you in Stoke? What was the atmosphere like inside the venue? E-mail news@nme.com with your stories and pictures.

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