Without wanting to condone their hero’s chemical excesses, Babyshambles aficionados would be forgiven for worrying that a newly rehabilitated Pete would mean an end to the gloriously anarchic Babyshambles shows of the past. Judging by this Heineken Green Spheres gig however, they may rest easy. As unpredictable as ever, loyal fans are tonight treated to not one, but three sets peppered with new material, Libertines classics and unexpected Lily Allen, Specials, Suede and Pet Shop Boys covers.
In a break with tradition, Doherty turns up early and, before the support act’s had a chance to play, runs through ska-infused newbies like ‘I Wish’ and ‘Sedative’, which are earmarked for the follow-up to Down In Albion. The verdict? Interesting but still in need of some fine tuning.
An hour later he’s back, with a headlining set that despite the presence of ‘Loyalty Song’, ‘Time For Heroes’, ‘Killamangiro’, ‘32nd Of December’ and ‘La Belle Et La Bete’, fails to ignite. Part of the problem lies with new guitarist Mick Whitnall who, short of rehearsal time, struggles to fill Patrick Walden’s boots.
Only ‘Pipedown’ momentarily excites and by the time a brief cover of Suede’s ‘Animal Nitrate’ and a riotous ‘Fuck Forever’ ring-out it appears we’ve been sent home unsatisfied.
However, in keeping with his erratic nature Doherty turns the encore into a raucous 10-song third-set which starts with ‘Beg, Steal, Borrow’, ‘What A Waster’, ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ and ‘East Of Eden’.
After that, we’re on the Pete Doherty Express as he randomly plucks songs from the sky and hopes that the band will follow. Such chaos affords the gig the much-missed punk edge of vintage Libertines and Babyshambles shows. By the time ‘The Man Who Came To Stay’ finally brings the curtain down, we’re howling for more.
Cleaned up maybe, but still as ragged and dirty as ever before – and thank God for that.