THE LIBERTINES AT L'OLYMPIA IN PARIS

The Libertines are at the beginning of a new European tour, which started in France. Road to Wasteland will visit mainly towns in the UK at the end of 2019. The band is also preparing a new album (the fourth one!) in their HQ of Margate. They stopped at L’ Olympia to deliver a show fully compliant to their crazy reputation of Pete Doherty and his friends.

What a surprise it was, indeed, this performance. I was not around in Europe when The Libertines got back together in 2015 after more than 10 years of silence. I was not around when their career peaked around 2003 either. I went to this show with the solid belief that they would play an amazing concert in a fully packed Olympia with impatient fans. I was not disappointed.

A Libertines concert is a funny thing to witness. At a time of very structured productions and tidy (boring?) shows, these four are part of some very few survivors from the messy rock’n’roll era. Everything started with a spectacular entrance of the band, at the sound of singer Gainsbourg, followed by one of the dogs of Pete Doherty. Half of the time, Pete Doherty and Carl Barât don’t seem to be very aware of what the next song was, sometimes throwing non-related guitar riffs to their stage comrades with daring stares (“Are you following this one, ey?”). Hence, “You’re my Waterloo” needed 3 starts to be properly launched at the piano, each time strongly followed by the voices from the public. The Olympia was delighted to host the two English lads for the first time since 2016 and was determined to let its voice be heard. The setlist was balanced, with all the anthems of the band present. Some rarities were also played, following the duo’s impulsions as well as the crowds wishes. The four guys were there to enjoy being together on stage again and to give pleasure to the public. 

The end of the show was a bit less disciplined, as Gary and John were already thanking the crowd while Pete and Carl were together singing the rarely sang “France”. Pete finally left the stage on the back of Carl, with a big smile on his face. Us, too.

Some very motivated spectators went to the Supersonic (best place in Paris for rock concerts and a drink) for a crazy aftershow curated by Carl and Gary! The Libertines are certainly not an act you’d want to miss.