The Libertines

For their last gig of the year, The Libertines came back to their adopted hometown of Margate to finish off their latest tour. For a band that have had many ups and downs, an extended hiatus and produced just three studio albums to date, it seems slightly odd that as we approach a new decade The Libertines will, in 2020, look forward to playing together in their fourth. As the dysfunctional bad-boys of post-punk indie rock cling together through an ever closer bond rather than a thin thread these days it seems only fitting that the London foursome bring their sharabang of a show to the seaside town that, for Pete at least, seems to have calmed the troubled spirit.

On the shortest day and therefore longest night of the year, Pete, Carl, Gary and John braved the gales and made the trip to once again take to the stage of The Winter Gardens in Margate. All four looked like they were happy and healthy with Pete sporting a new shorter haircut and embracing his ever greyer 'highlights'. Before the headliners took to the stage we had a surprise slot from Pynch, a band fronted by former Winter Gardens pot-wash Spencer Enock and another from a rejuvenated Towers of London. The former may have been slightly timid and apologetic during their set but played some great songs that should have at the very least generated some curiosity from the sold-out crowd. 'Twenties Haze', a song about having no money, 'The City', and latest single 'Disco Lights' entertained the gathering crowd before Towers of London tried their best to wind them up!

Towers, themselves familiar with the extended hiatus having broken up acrimoniously in 2009, took to the stage in a fired up rage, ready to do their worst. The boiler suited quintet, fronted by reality TV star Donny Tourette in his faux fur coat, set about their set like men who'd just read the 'How To' guide to being a cliched rock star. The band snarled and spat their way through their songs, including 'I'm A Rat' and 'F**k It Up'; at one point taking exception to having a pint thrown over the bassist mid-song! It was comical stuff that provided a degree of entertainment if not for all the intended reasons. 

Continue reading: The Libertines - The Winter Gardens, Margate, Kent 22.12.2019 Live Review

On a clifftop above a beautiful sandy beach, a mere stone's throw from where Charles Dickens used to spend his summer holidays, Wheels And Fins Festival sprang into life over the weekend. In the shadow of the North Foreland lighthouse, the surfers' paradise of Joss Bay played host to an eclectic line-up of DJs and bands as well as providing an outlet for the thrill-seekers with its Skate U.K. Mini-Ramps Champs events.

Aside a mammoth field of cabbages bordering a golf club and affording stunning views of the English Channel, the Wheels And Fins site is one of the more unusual on the festival calendar. The mix of music, skateboarding, bike battles, beach yoga and alternative Punch & Judy among many other things saw to it that variety was in abundance. Tim Peaks Diner showcased up and coming talent, the sizable dance tent threw down some seriously dirty beats courtesy of the plethora of DJs and the main stage played host to some great acts, including The Libertines-headlined and curated Sunday Sharrabang.     

Friday's highlights included some fantastic bluesy rock from Broken Witt Rebels. Having just returned from America, following completion of their second album, the band were in fine form. They belted out some soulful renditions of 'Loose Change', 'Snake Eyes' and finally a rousing run through of 'Shake Me Down'. Danny Core's rasping vocal was in full flight coming across like a mixture of Bon Scott and Paolo Nutini. In the dance tent, Philip George blew a fuse, literally (lights out, the lot), with his seismic bass beats before getting back on track, rather perfectly, with Au/Ra's 'Panic Room'. 

Continue reading: Wheels & Fins 2018 - Live Review

Meltdown Festival is twenty-five this year and to celebrate its silver anniversary it is down to the one and only Robert Smith, of The Cure, to curate this year's event. Smith has hand picked this year's guests for his real-life fantasy festival and sent a hand written letter to each of the acts to invite them to perform. One such letter found its way to The Libertines and they duly responded positively, accepting Robert's request to play in the sixty-six-year-old modernist masterpiece that is The Royal Festival Hall.

Before the boys in the band took to the stage, it was the turn of the excitable and exuberant Brighton based band Yonaka to tread the prestigious boards. During their lively set, potty-mouthed Theresa Jarvis strutted her stuff with a lead singer's swagger as she enthusiastically belted out tunes from the band's nine track set. Starting out with an electrifying take on 'Teach Me To Fight', then an intense 'Run', and finally closing out the animated and highly spirited setlist with 'Rockstar' and an impassioned 'F**k With The Boss.'

The Libertines took their time to follow Yonaka and wandered onto the stage as they do with their calm and nonchalant demeanour. "Are we all ready?" Pete asked of the band before striking the first notes of 'The Delaney'. A fired-up version of 'Heart Of The Matter', impassioned 'Boys In The Band' and meandering 'What Katie Did' were all early set highlights as the band got into their stride. Pete lost his trench coat and shortly after shed his jacket too as the night heated up and the crowd got behind the band with a great deal of enthusiasm.

Continue reading: The Libertines - Meltdown Festival 2018 Live Review

Now in its third year, and most definitely at home, By The Sea festival returned to Margate in glorious style. Having surely established itself as Kent's premier music festival, By The Sea once again upped its game with an inspired roll call of artists. Across the last weekend in September, and in some iconic venues that included Dreamland heritage theme park and the Margate Winter Gardens, East Kent was treated to a spectacular musical menu.

If the thrill of riding the U.K.'s oldest wooden roller coaster, The Scenic Railway, taking a stroll along the golden sands or even seeing Steve Davis DJ in Olby's Soul Café were not enough to tempt you down to the coast on Friday night then surely huge dancing bears and the Hall By The Sea's headline acts were. As the dodgem DJs began to spin their last few tunes, the theme park took on a new guise under the bright lights and neon kitsch. As the yearning for Candy Floss subsided and the need for an Acapulco Taco took over Dreamland came to life.

Dutch Uncles were in great spirits in The Hall By The Sea kicking off their set with 'Oh Yeah' off of their most recent and most successful album to date, 'Big Balloon'. Singer Duncan Wallis was in fine form, excited to 'finally be there' and even inviting the crowd to come and 'ram us later' on the dodgems. With some very funky slap bass, a playful exuberance and a tight, polished set, Dutch Uncles proved a delight. After delivering crowd favourites, 'Face In' and 'Fester', Duncan declared, 'That's enough dancing around like p***ks, we're 30 for God's sake! If we wanted to be sick we'd have gone on the waltzers!' 'Steetlight' and a pulsating, percussively excellent 'Big Balloon' followed before the first of the evening's crowd participation, the harder hitting 'Dressage', closed out their set.

Continue reading: By The Sea Festival 2017 - Festival Review