The Libertines themselves had their many highs and lows. The bands constant shows were what made them so popular in the first place. Their constant interaction with the fans broke a boundary between bands and audiences that hadn’t been broken in a long while; Pete Doherty himself posed under a fake name in the chat room from the Libertines website and talked to fans himself. Not only were the shows about closeness, they were often chaotic with Pete usually shouting “stage invasion” before a barrage of fans invaded the stage.
It was not only the relationship between the band and the fans that made them so popular, it was also the connection between the members, especially Pete Doherty and Carl Barat themselves. Their relationship between the two in particular echoed many partnerships of the past, McCartney and Lennon, Strummer and Jones and Morrissey and Marr. Often they would write songs together and would get so close on stage that rumours of homosexual relationships would arise. It would get so close that Barat and Doherty flew away to Thailand together in order to write songs for the second and final album, The Libertines. There would also be massive tensions in the band usually brought about by Doherty’s drug problems. These tensions would grow so high that the band eventually split.
Doherty’s bad boy image and constant media attention echoed the rock star stereotype. The sort of Byronistic image that is associated with the musical greats of the past from Jagger, the Gallaghers and Bowie.
The commitment to music however is another aspect of the bands greatness. Doherty continued on to form Babyshambles and his own solo career, both being successful in their own right. Barat and Powell went onto form Dirty Pretty Things who are now defunct but gained popularity nonetheless.
It was the Doherty’s song writing ability that added to the popularity. Doherty often took influence from not only musicians such as Morrissey or Strummer but also poets such as Lord Byron or Tennyson. Mixing these together, Doherty created poetic lyrics that not only added beauty but also social commentary that many of the bands fans could relate to.
The band paved the wave for many indie bands after them from Razorlight, the Paddingtons and the View. The Kooks were described as a poppy Libertines themselves and bands such as the Holloways admit to taking great influence from them. It is with these bands that the influence can be heard clearly from the social commentary to the intense guitars that they play. The Libertines had an energy to them that was amazing. The songs weren’t sloppy in the musical and the lyrical department. America has the Strokes but Britain has got the Libertines.
We are constantly looking for passionate writers to volunteer their work. Do you think you have what it takes? Why not get in touch by emailing us at news@citylifelive.co.uk
It was not only the relationship between the band and the fans that made them so popular, it was also the connection between the members, especially Pete Doherty and Carl Barat themselves. Their relationship between the two in particular echoed many partnerships of the past, McCartney and Lennon, Strummer and Jones and Morrissey and Marr. Often they would write songs together and would get so close on stage that rumours of homosexual relationships would arise. It would get so close that Barat and Doherty flew away to Thailand together in order to write songs for the second and final album, The Libertines. There would also be massive tensions in the band usually brought about by Doherty’s drug problems. These tensions would grow so high that the band eventually split.
Doherty’s bad boy image and constant media attention echoed the rock star stereotype. The sort of Byronistic image that is associated with the musical greats of the past from Jagger, the Gallaghers and Bowie.
The commitment to music however is another aspect of the bands greatness. Doherty continued on to form Babyshambles and his own solo career, both being successful in their own right. Barat and Powell went onto form Dirty Pretty Things who are now defunct but gained popularity nonetheless.
It was the Doherty’s song writing ability that added to the popularity. Doherty often took influence from not only musicians such as Morrissey or Strummer but also poets such as Lord Byron or Tennyson. Mixing these together, Doherty created poetic lyrics that not only added beauty but also social commentary that many of the bands fans could relate to.
The band paved the wave for many indie bands after them from Razorlight, the Paddingtons and the View. The Kooks were described as a poppy Libertines themselves and bands such as the Holloways admit to taking great influence from them. It is with these bands that the influence can be heard clearly from the social commentary to the intense guitars that they play. The Libertines had an energy to them that was amazing. The songs weren’t sloppy in the musical and the lyrical department. America has the Strokes but Britain has got the Libertines.
We are constantly looking for passionate writers to volunteer their work. Do you think you have what it takes? Why not get in touch by emailing us at news@citylifelive.co.uk
Libertines - Best British Band of the Noughties - By Alex Yau
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By reading the title, some of you may already be thinking of ways to slate me but before you do that, read this blog first and you’ll see some of the many reasons why this statement could be true.
For those who don’t know who the Libertines are, the band is comprised of four members, Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, John Hassall and Gary Powell. Formed in the early 2000’s in London, the band gained huge amounts of popularity in the indie scene before splitting up due to problems within the band. The Libertines created raw music that had an energy that hadn’t been heard in a very long time. Some songs were brilliantly simple proving that you don’t need to make hugely complicated music in order to make good music.
For those who don’t know who the Libertines are, the band is comprised of four members, Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, John Hassall and Gary Powell. Formed in the early 2000’s in London, the band gained huge amounts of popularity in the indie scene before splitting up due to problems within the band. The Libertines created raw music that had an energy that hadn’t been heard in a very long time. Some songs were brilliantly simple proving that you don’t need to make hugely complicated music in order to make good music.