Live Review: The Libertines – 30th October – The Roundhouse, London UK
3 min read
On October 30th, The Roundhouse in London was packed to the rafters, buzzing with excitement. The Libertines were back, celebrating their long-awaited fourth album, All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade. For me, this wasn’t just a show; it was a chance to finally experience Pete Doherty and the band live, after years of hearing about their legendary, chaotic presence in british popular culture.
I’d recently watched Doherty and Carl Barât in a documentary about Camden’s role in the 90s and early 2000s counterculture scene, and seeing them back on home turf made the show feel like a true homecoming. You could feel that nostalgia hanging in the air; it was like being part of something bigger than just one gig. The band’s connection to the crowd was palpable—like they were welcoming back old friends as much as the audience was.
The night started strong with Liverpudlian punk star Zuzu, whose infectious energy and quirky style set the tone perfectly. Her song Spy Balloon was a real highlight Chappaqua Wrestling followed, bringing anthemic vibes and that swaggering, Gallagher-esque attitude that hooked everyone in. Max Bianco rounded out the opening acts with an unexpected country set, adding an extra layer of interest and set the tone for what was about to unfold.
Finally, The Libertines took the stage, and it was like a spark had been lit. They were unpredictable, chaotic, and full of raw energy. Sure, the set had its rough edges, and they were a bit all over the place, but that’s exactly what makes The Libertines feel so real and relatable. Doherty was stumbling around, occasionally fumbling a guitar solo, and at one point he even started vaping during the encore—a little rebellion against the new UK vaping laws, perhaps. But it didn’t matter; every slip-up combined with his poetic prowess endeared him to crowd more and more. Meanwhile, Barât kept things grounded, skillfully switching between a range of instruments and balancing out Doherty’s looseness with his steady, melodic touch. It was for all the audience to see what an impactful duo those two are
The energy dipped a bit with the slower tunes like You’re My Waterloo and Music When the Lights Go Out played back-to-back. The addition of strings was a nice thought, but it didn’t fully work in the live setting, and the crowd’s energy was far to relaxed at this point.
But when they hit their big anthems, the atmosphere exploded. Run Run Run, a new track that’s already becoming a fan favourite, ignited a full-on mosh pit. And when they launched into the classics—Time for Heroes, a reminisce on the fortunes of youth. Followed by timeless classics Can’t Stand Me Now, and Don’t Look Back Into the Sun a reliving their early 2000s glory days. It was incredible to see how their music still brings people together, and in that final roar of the crowd, you could feel the Libertines’ legacy pulsing through the room. It was a night that wasn’t just about the music—it was about history, connection, and celebrating the best of British popular culture.
Set list:
The Delaney
What Became of the Likely Lads
Up the Bracket
Boys in the Band
Night of the Hunter
What Katie Did
The Good Old Days
Baron’s Claw
Funeral March of a Marionette (Frank Chacksfield & His Orchestra song)
Vertigo
Shiver
Merry Old England
Death on the Stairs
You’re My Waterloo
Music When the Lights Go Out
Horrorshow
I Have a Friend
Run Run Run
Can’t Stand Me Now
Encore:
Man With the Melody
What a Waster
Gunga Din
Last Post on the Bugle
Songs They Never Play on the Radio
Time for Heroes
Don’t Look Back Into the Sun
