An air of frenzy flits through the corridors of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall as tonight’s audience top up their drinks, many which will be flying through the air of the auditorium before long.
The Libertines take to the stage, as part of their 15 date Giddy Up A Ding-Dong tour and fire into What a Waster, their 2002 debut single, which threw them into the spotlight with a mix of jangle-infused indie pop and airplay-offensive profanities, always a winner. And it remains a winner tonight, as the delighted crowd chant along with the foursome.
With production of their latest album still ongoing, it’s an evening jammed full of fan favourites, each getting a more raucous reaction than the last. They blast through Barbarians, stirring the audience into a fever, and What Kate Did provides one of the best sing-alongs of the night with all that shoop shoop shooping and swaying.
The tempo lowers for the melodic You’re my Waterloo, Carl Barat taking to the piano and Pete Doherty’s flat cap flipped off to reveal a sweat of silver hair, juxtaposed against those wide eyes, which still hold a glint of youthful mischief. From here, the pace picks up again and some ardent admirer launches himself onto the stage, even managing to squeeze in a wee dance before he’s accosted by security and whisked off into oblivion. A few random items hit the stage as the night goes on, including a white t-shirt lovingly scrawled with the words ‘Pete loves Dunfermline.’ Ah, gotta love a Fifer!
The unpredictable onstage antics of their early days have been replaced with a slick and sprightly performance. Still fond of hats, the trilbies have been replaced with more more age appropriate flat caps, and it’s under these peaks you can see in their eyes, a warm appreciation that a two-year forced hiatus has given them, and perhaps the realisation that they really have made it this far, quite a feat given their jagged history. Meanwhile, in customary fashion, bassist John Hassall barely shifts expression or position though I did spot a guarded grin flash across his face. At the other end of the scale, drummer Gary Powell entices the guys to gather round as he blasts out one of his infamous drum solos, fluoro trackie top already flung off in true style. He isn’t alone in his state of undress, there are plenty ‘taps aff’ in the crowd as the more audacious fans begin clambering onto shoulders, arms aloft and phones swaying.
Can’t Stand Me Now is impeccably delivered, showcasing what a perfect pop song it really is and a rapturous rendition of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads charms the crowds before The Good Old Days marks the end of the set, Doherty humming Scotland the Brave as we all wince. He quickly switches to The Only Way Is Up….He got the message.
The encore starts with a triumphant delivery of The Deleany as the hall descends into good-hearted chaos, a set of crutches hurling about in the air and a procession of stage-divers being flung out the door or plunged back into the crowd to recreate their moment of fame. Penultimate number Don’t Look Back at the Sun sees the crowd adrift in a wave of dance; everyone just having the time of their lives on what is probably their biggest night out for two years. Incredibly, even more energy erupts for last number, Time For Heroes, Doherty’s nonchalant vocals propelling the audience into a delirious hysteria. He then thrashes down his guitar, the most rebellious act of the night, before they group-hug and take a bow, looking genuinely appreciative and grateful towards the crowd.
These likely lads are revitalised, and looking rather contented. Not something many, themselves included, would’ve expected almost 20 years on. Why not grab some tickets for the newly-announced Up the Bracket 20th anniversary tour, hitting the UK next year.
Words: Shirley Mack
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography