Tonight:
8°c
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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
André Paine's rating
Reader rating
Description: Carl Barat's shambolic indie-punks play tracks from their forthcoming album, Romance At Short Notice.
Phone: 0207434 9592
Website: http://www.festivalrepublic.com/venues/#Astoria
Trains: Tube: Tottenham Court Road 
Extra info: Pub
At its best, The Libertines’ music could be explosive. In comparison, Pete Doherty’s and Carl Barat’s initial post-split songs were largely damp squibs destined to be overshadowed by their erstwhile partnership.
However, Babyshambles’ autumn comeback suggested Doherty hadn’t entirely lost his way. Perhaps it spurred on Barat, who led a confident and combustible Dirty Pretty Things performance including half a dozen new songs.
Their second album, Romance at Short Notice, is released on 30 June and this set showed a move away from the obvious ramshackle rock of their debut.
Barat’s influences haven’t changed too much, though, judging by the opening post-punk clatter of Buzzards and Crows. There were also shades of The Kinks on the new single Tired of England, a supremely tuneful effort with lyrics about the “Queen of England” and “bingo cards”.
Bassist Didz Hammond and guitarist Anthony Rossomando joined in on vocals throughout and the friendly jostling on stage during another new song, Chinese Dogs, gave the impression of a close-knit gang.
The crowd responded noisily, especially during old favourites such as Deadwood, and Barat had to dodge an excitable fan’s white trainer whose flight narrowly missed his head.
Dirty Pretty Things’ debut album was a top three success but, crucially, at the Astoria they sounded like themselves rather than merely an alternative Libertines. The combination of growling, sweaty rock and cooing harmonies on Hippy Son was compelling, while Plastic Hearts had a simple, singalong chorus worthy of Chas & Dave.
Of course, Dirty Pretty Things are still a noisy indie-rock band, so the appearance of a keyboard in the encore was about as experimental as it got.
Nevertheless, this was a convincing return with an emphatic finale: Barat diving into the crowd during a frantic, raucous version of their signature anthem Bang Bang You’re Dead.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Brilliant review.
I was there at the gig: on the brink of death with illness, but it was well worth treking up to London in the rain to see the return of DPT.
I agree that the songs from the second album sound less like The Libertines and more like themselves, with elements of The Kinks and The Clash etc (especially on 'Buzzards and Crows', which sounded extremely similar to The Clash's 'London Calling').
Songs like 'Bang Bang, You're Dead' and 'Deadwood' really left me buzzing and the song 'Chinese Dogs' really surprised me. I had an old copy of the Demo version of this song, which came with one of the singles off of the 'Waterloo to Anywhere' album, and was never really that keen on it. However, the band's energy throughout this song (and the whole set) changed my view on it completely.
Overall, a brilliant gig.
The downside is that I have to wait for what will seem like forever, for the new album to come out!
- Jamie Thorn, Sunbury-on-Thames
