Review: The Libertines bring their post-punk classics to the Cambridge Corn Exchange
It was my birthday on 5 October and what better way to celebrate it than by going to see one of Britain’s top indie rock bands of the 21st century, The Libertines, who were at the Cambridge Corn Exchange as part of the tour in support of their excellent latest album, All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade.
Tonight’s support came from two very energetic bands, The Ultra Violets and Dead Freights. Of the two, I preferred the latter, their songs How Much To Call Me Daddy? and Batman, which was about singer Charlie James being robbed by someone wielding a baseball bat, being particular highlights.
The Libertines - charismatic frontmen and guitarists Carl Barât and Pete Doherty, bass player John Hassall (all of whom were wearing different items of headwear) and hatless drummer Gary Powell - came out to a euphoric reception from the sold-out venue, immediately launching into frenetic opening number The Delaney.
It was followed joyous sing-alongs What Became of the Likely Lads and Boys in the Band, and then came my favourite Libertines tune (prior to their latest album, anyway), What Katie Did, with its irresistible ‘Shoop shoop, shoop de-lang-a-lang’ refrain.
It was a slightly slowed-down version of the song tonight but no less enjoyable and the crowd responded as one would expect, by enthusiastically joining in on the above-mentioned refrain.
Then came a drum solo courtesy of the popular Gary Powell but thankfully, as I’m not a fan of drum solos, it didn’t go on too long!
It was followed by the reflective The Good Old Days and the manic, post-punk classic Up the Bracket, one of the quartet’s biggest hits and the title of their debut album.
The band sounded great, but rarely spoke to the audience - mind you, I much prefer that to artists that go on and on, as it means in theory you can fit more songs into the set!
“All right, Cambridge? This is a dear friend of ours, Andrew Newlove,” said Carl, who spoke to the Cambridge Independent in 2023 ahead of the band headlining Secret Garden Party, introducing the group’s tour player to the stage. He played guitar for a few tracks, while Carl took to the piano.
The first track to feature him was Shiver, a highly memorable moment from All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade and, for me, it probably draws level with What Katie Did for the title of ‘best Libertines song ever’. It really is an absolute masterpiece and to hear it live was an honour and a privilege.
It was followed by Night of the Hunter, which featured an excerpt from the classic movie of the same name starring Robert Mitchum, and the tuneful Merry Old England - two of my other favourites from the outstanding new record.
A few songs later came yet another top tune from All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade, its opening song, Run, Run, Run.
These new songs didn’t just sit well alongside the older material, in many cases they eclipsed the earlier songs, and I think The Libertines are actually making some of the best music they’ve ever made right now.
Can't Stand Me Now, another of their best-known tunes - this time from their self-titled second album from 2004 - closed the main set, and I delighted in looking down from the balcony onto the moshing masses below!
After the song, the band left the stage, tracksuit-wearing drummer Gary Powell taking the plaudits and walking off stage last to chants of “Gary, Gary!” from the ecstatic crowd.
The seven-song encore consisted of more of the old and the new, of which Time for Heroes and Songs They Never Play on the Radio were standouts.
What a band, what a gig, and I sincerely hope to be able to attend the next time The Libertines come to town.
For more on the band, and to check on further tour dates, go to thelibertines.com.
