History

(1997-2002) Early history

(2002-2003) Up the Bracket

Now with a firm line-up, they began to play more gigs and supported The Strokes and The Vines in quick succession. This succeeded in spreading their name around the music press, with the NME taking a particular interest in them (an interest which continued throughout their career).

(2003) Problems

During the recording of Up the Bracket and in the subsequent touring, Doherty's drug use had increased greatly (he was using both crack cocaine and heroin) and he began growing distant from the rest of the band. This became more apparent during a tour of Japan. The band had become fractious, and some of this tension was visible in their performances. Doherty expressed himself in "The Books of Albion", his personal collection of notes, thoughts and poems, and also more and more frequently on the libertines.org fan forums. His posts and writings at this time were unpredictable: at times, he seemed distressed and angry; at others, he came across as calm and happy.

(2003-2004) Second album and the end of The Libertines

Barât was waiting for Doherty outside the prison when he was released. After an emotional reunion they played a gig the same day at the Tap'n'Tin pub^[3], surprisingly with both Hassall and Powell who hadn't been expected to come. The show became NME's Gig Of The Year. The Libertines were going to try to put their problems behind them and went on to play three consecutive sold-out dates at the London Forum in mid-December 2003 (these gigs being named amongst the top 100 gigs of all time by Q Magazine) ending in stage invasions from the fans^[4]. They also went on a widely-acclaimed UK tour in March 2004, including three more consecutive sold-out dates in London, this time at Brixton Academy.

(2005-present) Post break up careers

Pete Doherty

Reunions

Doherty and Barât remained out of contact for several months after The Libertines had ended. However, on 18 April 2005, at around 11:30pm, Pete Doherty and Carl Barât reunited at the Boogaloo Bar in Highgate, North London. This was said to be a friendly meeting and was the first time the pair had met since 8 June 2004, just before Doherty went to Thailand. The reunion took place when Barât arrived at the bar at 10pm and was told there was a strong possibility that his former bandmate would also be visiting the pub that evening. Upon learning a reunion was possible, Barât told journalist Anthony Thornton that "it might as well happen now, because it’s going to happen sometime". The pair were said to have seemed nervous at first, but greeted each other with a hug, before talking together on a leather sofa.^[11] Barât has also said that The Libertines are only "on ice" and that he is in "intermittent contact" with Doherty.^[12]

Musical style and legacy

Doherty and Barât had different influences musically. Doherty was inspired by bands such as The Smiths, Suede and Chas and Dave. Barât admired The Velvet Underground, The Jam, The Doors and Django Reinhardt. Doherty liked the written works of William Blake, Emily Dickinson and Thomas Chatterton, whereas Barât preferred Saki and the Edwardian idea of wit. An idol common to both of them was Oscar Wilde.

Speculation and rumours

Audio sample

Notes

Additional references

Discography

Albums

Singles, Promos, & EPs