So, Pete Doherty was playing in Bordeaux last night, and let’s just say, there was magic in the air. Here’s our review of this show.
Pete is an artist we’ve been enthusiastically following for years. The timeline of our journey with this amazing composer is quite unusual. Audrey got into The Libertines… after they split up, fell for Carl Barât’s side project Dirty Pretty Things, and eventually got curious about Peter’s solo work. It was a long run but after months of hearing her talk about him, Mia eventually gave in too (and of course, a cake was baked). Last night was the perfect chance to see him without Carl Barât, his partner in crime from The Libertines. This time, Pete wasn’t either accompanied by his friend Frederic Lô.
Spoiler alert: it was magical.
Who’s Pete Doherty, again?
Let’s start with a quick recap for those who lived in a cave for the last 20 years.
Pete Doherty is the co-frontman of The Libertines alongside Carl Barât. With his cracked voice, urban poetic lyrics, and romantic attitude, Pete has been an icon of British rock since the early 2000s. He’s also infamous for his numerous addictions, arrests, and a few rock’n’roll love stories with celebs like Kate Moss.
In short, Pete is a modern-day “poète maudit”, a true heir of geniuses like Baudelaire, Verlaine, or Byron, but armed with a guitar. This man always manages to captivate crowds with his disarming sincerity, gorgeous lyrics, and simple yet unforgettable melodies.
How was the Opening Act?
The night started with Tamise, a duo of lovebirds with a bit of a hippie-Boheme chic vibe, who began their musical journey playing on the streets of Paris.
This was their very first gig in a proper venue, and they were visibly moved. Aside from one sad bastard at the back who clearly wanted them to wrap things up quickly, we all enjoyed their innocence, their tender songs, and their surprised little faces at being up there.
It was quite a successful start on stage.
How was Pete Doherty’s show?
Pete stepped on stage, but not alone: Gladys, his adorable dog, made her entrance first, like a real star. And quickly became the mascot of the show. She quietly napped next to him, occasionally barking playfully at some overenthusiastic photographers.
Pete looked a little tired – understandable after four shows in a row as he made fun of it– but still very much in his element. Messy hair, a half-unbuttoned suit, and his iconic hat on his head. Classic Doherty.
Pete is an incredible guitarist, who always manages to surprise us. He improvises as naturally as he breathes and knows how to channel all the emotions of his songs without ever losing control. Always on the verge of the cliff but never falling into the abyss.
Between tracks, he chain-smoked cigarettes, vaped, scribbled a few notes on his setlist, and cracked jokes with that charming, laid-back attitude he’s known for. No gimmicks, just Pete in all his glory. He delivered some Libertines classics, Don’t Look Back Into The Sun, Time For Heroes, and played some of our favorite tunes from their latest record, Merry Old England, Night of the Hunter and I Have a Friend. The Babyshambles’ catalog was not left aside with a lovely rendition of For Lovers and a grand Albion.
Although it’s hard to pick up just one, the highlight of the show was probably a brand new song Out of Tune Balloons (?), an innocent but catchy little tune. From time to time, Andrew Newlove joined him on stage to lend a hand on a couple of tracks, in a chilled, friendly, typically British atmosphere. No Fuck Forever but it doesn’t matter.
At one point, Pete even playfully imitated Carl Barât’s trademark tippy tap ways in front of a laughing crowd before launching into an extended version of What Katie Did. A nice nod to their chemistry, even though Carl wasn’t there that night. We loved hearing this classic song reinterpreted Doherty-style with an unexpected extra verse from Chas & Dave Give It To The Girl Next Door And Others.
Pete Doherty’s show in Bordeaux felt like catching up with an old friend: still a bit unpredictable, but so loveable. An intimate concert with no pretension with an incredible guitarist and storyteller. We left the venue with huge smiles on our faces, happy to have spent an evening with one of the last true rock poet legends of our generation.
