News

My Musical Moment

• 23rd Dec 2010

Whilst I was thinking back over this year and trying to decide on my favourite musical moment, my mid kept wandering to the heady days of summer and the bank holiday weekend I spent in a muddy field. Ah bliss. However, rather than talk about the whole festival and bore you to death, here is my major highlight.

When it was confirmed earlier this year that The Libertines were to headline Reading and Leeds, 'Libertines' all over the world let out enthusiastic gusts of ecstasy in return for the hugely awaited announcement. It was not just the self confessed obsessors that took the news well either, general music fans around saw this as a ray of sunshine over British music.

Something memorable about front men Pete Doherty and Carl Barat is the chemistry between them whilst performing live. So the big question asked ahead of the reunion was 'would they still maintain this?' Well there was certainly something special remaining, as they embraced in many lovely hugs and kisses throughout their set, but the true essence was not fully there. There was no banter or inside joking. It was tense. However, if you looked in more depth at them, you'd notice they were incredibly nervous and with mentioning before hand that their future depended on those shows and the reaction by the crowd you can understand why.

Looking back now, they had no need to be. Despite being second from top on the bill, they were the worthy headliners. That's with no disrespect towards Arcade Fire but anyone who stayed on to watch them headline would have noticed the severe difference in numbers compared to them watching The Libertines.

Kicking off with Horrorshow (possibly the band's liveliest track) was a superb idea because it really introduced what was to come: sincere energy, topped with firing determination and passion. Exploding into hit after hit it was emotional and breathtaking with everybody interested and eyes fixed to the stage.

After ending on I Get Along, an ocean of hands and respected chants farewelled the boys in the band offstage.

From the outcome of the two sets they played, the Libertines are sure to be back taking over the tour guides very soon.

The performance of the summer? Undoubtedly, yes!