March 21, 2008 10:57

Pete Doherty plays tiny London pub gig

Babyshambles man plays to 70 people

Photo Gallery: Pete Doherty
Photo: Pa Photos

Pete Doherty played a tiny acoustic gig last night (March 20) at the Torriano pub in Kentish Town, London, to a crowd of around 70 fans.

A spokesperson for Doherty explained that the Babyshambles man had asked the landlord of the pub just that afternoon if he could play a gig in the downstairs bar area of the establishment, and after a quick shift around of equipment to clear the area things were set for the show, which was announced on NME.COM at 4pm (GMT).

Around 70 fans had congregated in the pub when at 9pm they were led downstairs where they paid a £20 entry fee, and watched a brief acoustic support slot, introduced by Doherty, by female singer/songwriter Coco.

The room was extremely small, with a microphone on a stand at one end of the room with no stage, a few sofas at the back and a tiny bar manned by one member of bar staff.

Doherty, wearing a black trilby, suit and white shirt and appearing calm and relaxed, played a 13-song set including songs by both his former band The Libertines and Babyshambles.

There was an atmosphere of calm excitement much in contrast to the star’s gig the previous night (March 19), where Pete Doherty tussled with a fan over a Queen’s Park Rangers football shirt and three fans passed out due to dehydration.

After playing ’Death On The Stairs’ Doherty invited the landlady of the pub to make a brief speech, explaining that the future of the establishment was under threat from being turned into flats, saying that they were “battling to stay here” and thanking fans and Doherty for their support.

Following the closing ’Can’t Stand Me Now’ Doherty put his guitar down and posed for photographs with fans.

A video of Pete Doherty at the Torriano has been posted online by a fan, showcasing the entire set.

Pete Doherty played:

’Back From The Dead’
‘Dilly Boys’
‘What A Waster’
‘The Ballad Of Grimaldi’
‘Smashing’
‘Death On The Stairs’
‘Albion’
‘Pipey McGraw’
‘What Katy Did’
‘Beg, Steal Or Borrow’
‘Music When The Lights Go Out’
‘The Whole World Is Our Playground’
‘Can’t Stand Me Now’