The Libertines: 'Likely Lads' on the Pyramid

The Libertines took the mid-afternoon Pyramid Stage slot on Sunday, bringing a touch of home with them as they performed in front of a projection of the Albion Rooms, the band’s hotel, studio, and bar in Margate. One of the best bands to emerge from the noughties, they’re still riding high on the success of 2024’s 'All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade', drawing a sizable crowd to the stage.

In a set that saw the band play 15 songs, spanning the band's whole career. Opening the show with the title track from their debut album, 'Up the Bracket' the band wasted no time, quickly going into 'The Delaney' and 'What Became of the Likely Lads.' 

'Boys in the Band' slowed things down a little, before a relatively new one, 'Night of the Hunter' from the band's last album, one of four songs performed from this record, and a real late-career highlight from the band. A dark and foreboding acoustic effort with musical nods to everyone from Blur to Tchaikovsky. Joined by a string quartent, it made the rendition of 'Night of the Hunter' and 'Merry Old England' extra poignant. 

'Music When the Lights Go Out' provides the sing-along moment, of the afternoon with Doherty and Barat sharing vocal duties, like it's 2004 all over again. 'Run Run Run' sits alongside the very best songs the bands have ever done and starts a four-song run that rivals any other act of the weekend.

'Time for Heroes' follows it, and even 23 years on it's still as timeless and if push comes to shove, they may be the best lyrics that the band have ever written. 'Can't Stand Me Now' is the penultimate track and there's something quite cathartic watching Barat and Doherty exchange blows in 2025, knowing that the band are in a better place than they've probably ever been, they're playing it now because it's a brilliant song not because they hate each other. 

'Don't Look Back into the Sun' brings the afternoon set to a close. Shoulders are climbed on, flares are lit, and even the biggest Rod Stewart fans down the front whom Doherty had earlier called out with a laugh and a cheeky, impromptu chorus of 'Do Ya Think I’m Sexy' during The Libertines’ 2002 classic 'The Good Old Days' can’t help but sing and dance along.

After the set wrapped, the band hugged and bowed, before Powell held a Palestine flag in front of the cheering crowd.

It's good to see The Libertines back performing, and on fine form again.