Tonight:
5°c
Richard Godwin's rating
When Pete's good, he's really good
By
Richard Godwin
6 Oct 2006
Pete Doherty's famous girlfriend Kate Moss made the briefest of cameos at Babyshambles' gig in Brixton last night.
As on earlier dates on the tour, Moss joined Doherty on stage to lend vocals to his song La Belle et la Bete. Looking every part the rock chick, she ran on for the choruses, chirped self-consciously and almost inaudibly, then ran off, waving her arms like an excited schoolgirl.
Perhaps more surprising was Doherty's refusal to play the Beast to his girlfriend's Beauty. Doherty has always been more little-boy-lost than rock'n'roll monster - which is why your mother secretly fancies him - and it's strangely heart-warming when he's on good behaviour.
Here, he was almost - whisper it - professional. He arrived bang on time, looking meek and bookish in a V-neck sweater, and launched into a tight, energetic reading of Pipe Down from Babyshambles' first album. He went on to lead the crowd through matey chants in honour of his first love, QPR, and led his band through an improvisation that, surprisingly, sounded pretty good.
The most serious thing he abused all evening was a harmonica. It was an oddly good-natured evening. Chris Evans, who was in the crowd, said: "I've never met nicer people."
With no punch-ups or drugs busts, the focus fell, unusually, on Babyshambles' music. They still essentially sound like a pub punk outfit, blessed with the odd memorable melody, though the new songs aired here were impressively solid. Doherty has clearly been listening to a lot of reggae in between reading Emily Dickinson.
Of the more familiar material, Albion inspired a lusty singalong, while F**k Forever inspired abandon worthy of that very sentiment.
Still, it was hard to ignore the fact that the crowd gave the biggest cheer of the night to Time for Heroes, the only song by Doherty's first band, The Libertines, that made the set.
See, who the crowd really want to see up on stage with Doherty isn't some spotty supermodel, but his old Libs sparring partner, Carl Barat. If he can keep up the good behaviour - who knows - maybe they'll get their wish.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (3)
Nothing more to say except they were absolute pure class. Pete doesn't get half enough credit. Quality genuis.
- Susan, Kent, 20/02/2007 13:49
Report abuse
The performance last night was spot on. After seeing Pete in a rather worse for wear state at a gig at the RF earlier this year, I was so relieved to see him standing upright and giving his all. I felt that the band were the tightest I've seen them and worked so well together.
The highlight for me had to be F**k Forever, which has whipped the crowd up into a frenzy everytime I've seen them. Even at the back it got quite messy with excessively sweaty moshers rubbing themselves up against you!
I really enjoyed the Ska version of Get Along, obviously the influence of the new guitar player (given that's his background) and I felt this more mellow laid back approach to some of the new songs suited the mood of the band perfectly.
Pete clearly is on the road to recovery... let's hope the music keeps coming as it's what he does best. I must admit I thought the future was a bit ropey, but they've held it together well!
- Sarah, London, 06/10/2006 23:47
Report abuse
Anyone who has seen Babyshambles on this tour will agree they're like a different band these days, thoroughly at home on a bigger stage and Pete more lucid and coherent than I've ever seen him but with no less of the stage presence he's always had.
I know it won't change the opinions of anyone who isn't a fan but they were superb last night and truly made the Brixton Academy their own, in front of an eager and well charged-up crowd.
The new songs, 2 of them especially, sound very promising.
Cracking versions of 'Albion', 'Killamangiro' and 'f**k Forever' were mixed up with covers, Libs classics such as 'Time For Heroes', 'What Katy Did' and for me the highlight of the night, a ska reworking of 'I Get Along'.
Babyshambles are going to be very, very big indeed in the not too distant future (as long as their singer can keep his head together) and in the absence of a Libertines reuinion, they are filling the gap quite nicely.
- Ben, London, 06/10/2006 13:40
Report abuse
