Sunday, July 11, 2004

I Don't Believe In First Love, That's The Worst

NME Reports:

At T IN THE PARK tonight (July 10), THE LIBERTINES played their first gig since PETE DOHERTY left to deal with his drug problems...and the fans gave overwhelming support to the band, as they appealed to the audience to voice their support for the absent guitarist. Playing the NME stage directly before headliners Muse, frontman Carl Barat urged the vast crowd who had come to watch the band to give a big round of applause for Pete, dedicating first song to "my best friend Peter", which was new single 'Can't Stand Me Now', a song that was written by Pete for his bandmate. Their first gig without Pete was an energetic affair, and while Carl appeared to miss his sparring partner on stage, the whole band – with replacement guitarist Anthony Rossomando, who was announced as the substitute earlier today on NME.COM - put full-force energy into their performance, which included a swathe of new songs. The new songs went down a storm with the vast audience who had gathered to watch them, but the wildest applause and cheers were reserved for 'Boys In The Band' and 'Up The Bracket', which were served up as a double-whammy.

It was an emotional gig for the band, with Carl admitting earlier in the day that he was a little nervous. But he put 100% into the set, saying little but playing hard, until the set-closer, which was raucously well received new track 'Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads'. Fan Tim Barker, from Perth, said: "I didn't think Carl looked totally comfortable on stage, he seemed to miss Pete. But they sounded as tight as ever. It lacked something, though." However Scott Webster, from Aberdeen, was absolutely confident about the band's future. "It was fucking magic, brilliant!" he said. "They did well without Pete - they've let him do his own thing, and they will do well without him. They are right behind him all the way, but the new songs still sounded great without him."

"I'd wish him all the best, but I think The Libertines definitely have a future without him," he added.


Carlos, Yesterday