It’s been over ten years since The Libertines’ last gig in Manchester and their long awaited return was worth the wait. A band that is perhaps as well known for their turbulent antics as their music, the famous quartet commanded the crowd with a new found maturity whilst retaining that vibrant, raw energy that lead to their success. It was only in September of last year when the band had to cancel a show scheduled at the Ritz due to a Pete Doherty anxiety attack, but there was no sign of anything untoward in this performance.

Emerging onto the stage precisely on time, they opened with “barbarians” taken from their latest album Anthems for Doomed Youth which received a reserved reception from the crowd. However when the band delved into their classics next for “the Delaney” the crowd erupted in riotous fashion, if there was any doubt that The Libertines could replicate the energy of their guerrilla gigs in a filled arena they were quickly allayed. The new album was given a good showing, with the crowd responding to standout tracks “heart of the matter” and “my waterloo” warmly, though there was a sense that most were here for the classics.

Vintage tunes like the infectious singalong chorus of “can’t stand me now” and the soft, melodic riff of “Music when the lights go out” rose the decibel levels to new heights and showed their relevance still to the youth audience. If there was any need to evaluate their positions as one of indie music’s stalwarts they more than proved their credentials with the encore of two of their most famous songs, “what a waster” and “don’t look back into the sun”.

The standing area became mass of moshing revellers while those who were not stood up before rose to join in the atmosphere. From a band who are so often in the public’s eye for their off stage actions, this performance showed why the mere mention of the four lads excites the heart of every adolescent and indie fan in England.

Album 1