Although drummer Adam Ficek, bassist Drew McConnell and all of the band’s gear turned up at the Temple Bar Music Centre in time for the 8pm show, Pete Doherty was “stranded” in Paris following a gig there on Tuesday April 11. This also caused him to miss a court review of his drug rehabilitation due to take place at Thames Magistrates Court in east London. Under the terms of the programme, the singer is legally obliged to attend a drug centre and undergo monthly check-ups.
When it was obvious that Doherty was going to be a no-show in Dublin, fans were told that their tickets would be valid for a rescheduled TBMC gig on Tuesday April 18 - which also didn't happen.
Thankfully, there was no need for Babyshambles’ Spring & Airbrake date to be rescheduled, with the band arriving on stage shortly after 10pm and treating the Belfast faithful to a 16-song set, which opened with ‘The Man Who Came To Stay’, ‘Do You Know Me’ and ‘In Love With A Feeling’ and ended with ‘A’rebours’, ‘Blackboy Lane’ and ‘Wolfman’.
The timing was tight, with Doherty's flight touching down at Belfast City Airport shortly before 5pm. Asked how he felt, he smiled and said "sober".
Meanwhile, sometimes Babyshambles guitarist Patrick Walden was released on bail from Pentonville prison last week after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend. The 27-year-old’s appearances with the band had been sporadic of late, and he wasn’t expected to turn up for the Irish tour.
More news on their Irish visit in the next issue of Hot Press!