The Libertines headline set closed Reading Festival in Style!
01/09/2015
Few bands take us through the full musical roller coaster of emotions like The Libertines. To see the band not only together but healthy, back on stage and revelling in the final hours of Reading Festival as they headlined the main stage was an EPIC moment.
Walking out onto stage backed by a ghostly version of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ with the stage lit by the Libs logo on screen felt eerily appropriate. Launching into fast paced, frenetic versions of ‘Horror Show’, ‘Vertigo’ and ‘The Delaney’ which had all been going down well in the recent smaller warm up shows. When the band started 2004 single ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ the front pit lit up with red flares as the Libs mob danced around them!
‘Campaign Of Hate’ brought the levels of excitement back down to sing along before Doherty and Barat dedicated ‘Time For Heroes’ to their “absent friend who’s life was cut short”. MORE FLARES SET OFF!!! EPIC SCENES AT READING.
A lot of fans teary eyed for a waltzy version of ‘What Katie Did’ with the boys sharing a microphone. Piano Time. “We would like to welcome a friend to the stage. Mr Ed Harcourt.” Ed then let loose on the piano for ‘You’re My Waterloo’ with Pete crooning lead vocals. Tracks from the new album didn’t feel out of place – new & old blending pretty seamlessly.
Radio 1 favourite ‘Gunga Din’ was well received and slid into ‘Up The Bracket’ from their 2004 album. Leaving the stage drummer Gary Powell screamed: “Reading!” and threw his drumsticks into the front row. We really wanted those sticks to give away to you lot! Next time. ENCORE!!
The Libs returned back to the stage for a final volley of anthems, ‘Up The Bracket’, ‘What A Waster’, ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’ saw Pete taking his mic stand to pieces with a few kicks, before finally finishing with ‘I Get Along’.
Reading Festival you were as dirty and filthy as ever but we loved you!
Until next year…
x
