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The Libertines - Hyde Park
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Well here's my little (figuratively, not literally speaking as it's quite long) review of the gig:
I only arrived for Maximo Park and Spiritualized, two bands I have listened to little of, so won't comment on them.
The Pogues were quite enjoyable (despite the odd cringeworthy crowd interaction), but midway through a man collapsed in the crowd and had to receive medical treatment, which put a dampener on the occasion. Thankfully he was resuscitated by a crowd member and is now ok!
It was quite obvious that the event organisers had not accounted for the extra tickets reported to have gone on sale, as there were simply too many people for the security to manage. If they were going to increase the volume of tickets, they should have accounted for the fact that extra security would be needed, which sadly didn't appear to be the case. What's more, the size of the sparsely filled VIP section was unnecessary, and meant that anyone seeking to escape the crowd in the main section had only one way to go, as the VIP took up the entire right hand side of the stage.
Inevitably, the crushing during 'Vertigo' (opening song) was a little scary, and I had to force my way back from where I was (about 15-20 rows back from the front barrier) to somewhere less claustrophobic. I was on my own, and I could see lots of girls panicking and crying, which was totally understandable. I know crowds like this at these events are to be expected, but this was dangerous. You know when Pete Doherty is pleading for calm that things are getting a little out of hands!
Most of the crushing occurred near the front, of course, and the stoppages during 'Boys In The Band' and 'Time For Heroes' were frustrating, which was again down to the lack of space due to the VIP area at the side.
Once things settled down a little though the gig did really take off. The band were in good spirits, Gary sprightly and hyper, John typically poker-faced and the two frontmen lively and giddy. I enjoyed the softer songs a little more (almost shed a tear during 'What Katie Did' and 'Tell The King':P), but hearing 'Can't Stand Me Now' and 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun' live was incredible and something I'll always remember. Unfortunately, the delays meant that there was no '..Likely Lads' or 'The Good Old Days', but it's only a minor gripe. A pause while crowd members again halted the gig by climbing one of the delay towers led Pete to burst into a touching rendition of his Babyshambles song 'Albion' (which is really a Libs song never recorded by the band), and Carl joining in the chorus was a special moment.
I never had this labelled as a 'special' reunion in any way, shape or form. Pete is clearly in need of the money, and has been open about that, but I don't think that should fly in the face of what this band did ten years ago. They made some of my favourite music ever, and still play it excellently. In my opinion, they sounded more together than they did at the marginally sloppier (isn't that a given?) Leeds/Reading shows in 2010. The crowd interaction (which really isn't a massively important factor for me anyway) was ok, and it was cool to see the two boys top off a stomping 'I Get Along' with a heartfelt rendition of the Sassoon poem 'Suicide In The Trenches'. It looked like the band were reappearing to play more, but alas the curfew in HP put paid to any hopes of that.
Overall, a really good gig which was made slightly less satisfying than it could have been by the crowd. A dream come true nonetheless to see The Libertines live!
On a final side note, I was fortunate enough to meet Peter at his 'From Albion To Shangri-La' book signing the previous day, when he kindly gave me a critique on a picture I had drawn of him and Carl, and did a decidedly crude sketch of my face on the back of the book he was signing!
Sorry for the excessively long review, just wanted to give my two pence on (probably) the only reunion gig I'll get to, unless these rumours of an Irish date come to fruition.. Hope things go well for everyone with tickets for any of their upcoming shows. The Albion sails on course.. for the time being at least
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