South Coast Entertainment Peter Doherty Review

With the past littered by in band feuding with The Libertines, continued high profile drug use in any location and raucous behaviour, it was no surprise that a sell out crowd greeted Peter Doherty when turning up on stage, albeit it a little late. As the tour is just focused on Pete and his guitar it was expected to be fairly mellow and intimate. However, the entrance served as a reminder that some people in the crowd want nothing more it seems than to be remembered as 'the guy who bottled Peter Doherty'. Which is bizarre because they had paid to get in and also couldn't throw straight...... Anyways, Pete seems to take this in his stride as it is apparent it has probably happened alot before. Just a perk of being a rock star.

Pete kicked off with the brilliant and self vindicating Can't Stand Me Now, taken from The Libertines second, self titled album. Technically a sign of things to come at the time of album release following the tattered ending of The Libertines with Pete's acrimonious exit. With the lack of backing band Pete had to make sure he was able to assert himself on all areas of the stage and to the whole audience. Which throughout the set was done magnificently, confirmed by the hoardes of fans going crazy that their idol had made a good effort to play to them for a while.

The tour of course is in aid of promoting the new material Pete has made with the help of the Blur & The Smiths producer Stephen Street with added input from Graham Coxon. The new material sounds fresh and exciting and although it seems the vast majority of the crowd had just come in to hear Libertines and Babyshambles tracks, the acoustic rhythm resonating through the Southampton Guildhall makes everyone take notice. Of the tracks from the Grace/Wastelands album the one that stood out most was Last Of The English Roses. It was tender and musically perfect and the album will sell off the back of that track alone. Arcady was another track that was performed which opens the album and would push the listener straight into the sound of one of our highest calibre singer songwriters.

With bottles appearing every so often and having Pete kick them back at the crowd the intense atmosphere only Pete can produce was all to see. A few times when the crowd looked to continue a sing along, Pete appeared annoyed that instead of carrying on every word everyone instead thought he'd finished the song so clapped instead. Some of the more easy to work through issues Pete has had no doubt. In keeping the set flowing at an honest pace the movement into Babyshambles and Libertines territory continued. Tracks like Albion, Tell The King, The Man Who Would Be King, Fuck Forever and Time For Heroes litter the set with the sparks of current day rock genius. The input from others on these tracks is well known but for one man and his guitar to be able to obtain the full viewing of the Southampton crowd is exceptional. The whole acoustic notion of this particular evening made it feel as though it was an elaborate pub setting. Just with a large crowd, which helped to make Pete be one with the crowd. Over-running at the end hasent helped fend off 'temperamental' thoughts, but thats the sign of a rock n roll showman isn't it? Making the audience carry on the talking well after the final whistle has set apart the best from the average. Annoying Southampton Guildhall staff and organisers might not be the best way but it wasent ever going to be straight forward.