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The Libertines reunite for London show

Pete, Carl and Gary play intimate gig in capital

Three members of The Libertines reunited in the early hours of this morning (May 16) to play live together for the first time since they split in 2004 - and you can watch video footage of the set by scrolling to the bottom of this article.

Singer/guitarists Pete Doherty and Carl Barat were joined by drummer Gary Powell onstage at the London Rhythm Factory for a tribute gig to the late Johnny Sedassy, who used to put on gigs by the band, plus those by Doherty's current band Babyshambles and his solo shows.

Rumours had circulated that some kind of Libertines reunion was on the cards, although it was unclear under what form the show would take even as the early hours approached.

Babyshambles played a set before the reunion, taking the stage at 2:15am (BST) to play seven songs: 'I Wish', 'Killamangiro', 'Delivery', 'UnStookietitled', 'Back From The Dead', 'Baddie’s Boogie' and 'Albion'.

Then to the sound of screams and cheers from the crowd Barat took to the stage and strapped on a guitar, while Powell set up behind the drum kit. Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell remained on stage to complete the four-piece.

The foursome launched into a frenetic version of early Libertines hit 'What A Waster', with Barat and Doherty sharing a microphone as they sang the lyrics.

They then played 'Up The Bracket', 'What Katy Did', 'Can't Stand Me Now', 'Time For Heroes' and 'Death On The Stairs', with Doherty leaping into the crowd near the end of the short set.

Barat and Powell left the stage to more cheers then Babyshambles' Adam Ficek and Mick Whitnall returned – plus a surprise guest.

The band were joined by their former guitarist Pat Walden, now playing with three-piece Big Dave, for the finale, playing 'Pipedown' and 'Fuck Forever' to close the eventful show in kinetic fashion.

Read a backstage report from the Libertines reunion show on the NME Office blog.

Plus watch video footage of the set on the NME Office Blog.

Photo Gallery - down the front at The Libertines' emotional reunion show.











 

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Comments (34)

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Sands001 

May 17, 2009

i was just listening to time for heroes b4 i went to NME... long live the libertines!

Georgie1990 

May 17, 2009

THIS WAS SO AMAZING!! I CANT BELIEVE I WAS THERE!! I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT! IVE SEEN PETER DOHERTY THREE TIMES NOW AND THIS IS THE BEST HE HAS PLAYED!!!! SO AMAZING!! AAAAAAAHHHHH STILL CANT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!1

Cam0ush 

May 17, 2009

i think they played "death on the stairs" too...Oh please, a true come back.... with gigs n all... Bring Back Bilo & Biggles 4 tru !

jlong5000 

May 17, 2009

absolutely beautiful news

hannah842 

May 17, 2009

ooooooooooh are they defintely getting back together then? i know what you feel like supermojo i was trying to explain who the libertines were to my friend the other day!!

TIMZACKHOLLI 

May 17, 2009

long live the albionwhat remains of an arcadian paradise

sampsonb 

May 17, 2009

amazing news, so any chance they could still play reading/leeds as NME tent headliners?

fernandacurti 

May 17, 2009

oh noooo, can't believe i missed it!!all that because the french dog blues forum isn't working.. sh*t.where were the rumours? do they have a new forum and i dont know?:(

3258stuart 

May 17, 2009

if my memory serves me right pete and carl played together 12th april 2007 hackney empire and they played 13 songs together. was a good gig to.the drummer doesn't count really pete and carl wrote the songs

CrashingBlimp 

May 17, 2009

Holy fuck. As a libs/shambles fan, you'd be thrilled if Pat showed up, let alone Carl & Gary for a 3/4 libs reunion! Must've been an amazing night.

EdieSedgewick 

May 17, 2009

i almost cried when i read this. i wud have sold my soul to be there! what does this mean...proper libs reunion?? EEK!

bmac93 

May 17, 2009

Sounds brilliant. Cannot wait for some gigs in the future, to see them live, the sheer chemistry and musical as well as lyrical talent... I think I might move to London just so I'm in the right place at the right time...

pickleweasel 

May 17, 2009

about friggin time eh? glad carl's not being a negative nancy

shityourlegoff 

May 17, 2009

These pricks represent everything that is wrong with music

magicalmrmariefalis 

May 17, 2009

shityourlegoff is a twat.I watched the saturday one! travelled alll the way donw from manchester for the night only just got back! ANDDD I got backstage and met him..hes my hero im sooo in love with him and i MET HIM and had a pic with him. im fucking numbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb. hes so beautiful. and the gig was IMMENSE hes looking a lot healthier. LOVE ITTT

willdix 

May 17, 2009

shityourlegoff, to put it simply: get a life. i must have seen u comment on nearly all of these news items in the last week and every one of them has been negative. who DO you actually like? fucking hard-fi?

phippsycfc 

May 17, 2009

Shityourlegoff - why did you change your name from whatawasteoftime?

shityourlegoff 

May 17, 2009

Dumb-assed, cloth-eared Libertines fans unite! Your illiterate attempts at posting show you up for the mentally deficient 15 year old chronic masturbators you so clearly are. Textbook Libertines fans. (i.e. morons). In a few years you'll look back in embarrassment... if you're not dead from shame.

hitchy249 

May 18, 2009

I'm not a massive libertines fan, but if there's one person chronically masturbating, its you shityourlegoff. illiterate attempts at posting? What is that meant to mean? Can you die from shame?

callaby 

May 18, 2009

@shityourlegoff: as if you're not going to be embarrassed either? The Libertines were great, and if they get back together it will be great news for music, we seem to be treading water a little in England, and to be honest a lot of people are turning their backs on guitar music again - having to spend £15 to see Annie Mac DJ as she seems to pop up all over the place is good, but no alternative for real live music.@shityourlegoff: also get a real user name...how old did you say you were again??

SeanieShamble 

May 18, 2009

shityourlegoff. The Libertines put their heart and soul into their music and vowed to make it work or die trying. "Top of the world or bottom of the river" Their songs actually mean something. Surely that represents everything right with music.Though I know you're just going to be a dick and deny it.

Stuntman Mike 

May 18, 2009

Lmao!! Another stream of predictable bile coated bollocks from Shityourlegoff /Whatawasteoftime, always the same with you isn’t it? Someone disagrees with your mouth and you insult their spellhink & gramma and call them 15! Seriously mate why do come on here? Do u even like music? Go on mate write something positive about the music you like then we might respect your opinion instead of laughing at your inane rants….. Go on mate I dare ya.

phippsycfc 

May 18, 2009

You didn't answer the question anyway, why did you change your name and who do you actually like?I can pre-emptively answer for you if you want.All music that I like lacks class and integrity.My knowledge of music is drawfed by that of yours.The music you like i wouldn't know as it's so cool and underfround.i am a cunt.

shityourlegoff 

May 18, 2009

"My knowledge of music is drawfed by that of yours.The music you like i wouldn't know as it's so cool and underfround.i am a cunt."Hahahaha you are a fucking spastic!! You can't even speak, let alone write. How the hell do you make it through the day? What a fucking retard!!

shityourlegoff 

May 18, 2009

"My knowledge of music is drawfed by that of yours.The music you like i wouldn't know as it's so cool and underfround.i am a cunt."Hahahaha you are a fucking spastic!! You can't even speak, let alone write. How the hell do you make it through the day? What a fucking retard!!

cathcath 

May 18, 2009

WOOWOO! YIPPEE, my fingers are gonna be aching, keeping em crossed, til Glasto.......shityourlegoff-fool. grow up, not gonna get far not liking peeps who like/do different things to yourself, small minded little git....any spellimg mistakes - theyre there on purp, sad b**tard

phippsycfc 

May 18, 2009

I'm saying that you would just abuse me. And you did.

shityourlegoff. 

May 18, 2009

Actually I retract my comments, I love the Libs, Pete once bummed me in exchange for some crack. Didnt even get the god dam common courtesy of a reach-around though!

BigpoppaJ 

May 18, 2009

shityourlegoff - I think I speak for the majority when I say that someone like you who puts endless negative comments must be a miserable being with a miserable existence. Granted The Libertines might not be the greatest band but they have put down some fantastic songs, Pete Doherty might not be a model citizen but you cannot question his ability. You probably like your rock and roll stars to be in the mould of Phil Collins. Finally it is apparent you are just a little unhappy boy with nothing interesting or educated to say, in fact I bet you are jacking off because you are getting a little bit of attention on here. Were you un-loved as a child? Get back on the dime bars!

shityourlegoff 

May 18, 2009

Wow, you went to the trouble of creating a username the same as mine, just with a full stop after it. I must have really got to you. You sad prick.

Museician 

May 18, 2009

It would be a shame if they did a new tour.......mainly cos it would be full of scene kid twats with more topshop on than scence.

ryanda4eyez 

May 18, 2009

shityourlegoff... youre pathetic, if you don't like them then don't bother leaving a comment. just get back to your generic mainstream shit.

shityourlegoff 

May 19, 2009

They are fucking WANK

benwoods69 

May 20, 2009

Did anyone take any videos of the Pat Walden appearence?... I like the libertines ridiculous ammounts, but Patrick Walden performing with Babyshambles excites me more. Anyone know where I can find a video of that part of the night?

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Pic: James Quinton

Pic: James Quinton

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