Cardiff, Wales — The Great Hall was a whirlwind of energy last night as The Libertines returned to the city for an electrifying show. The iconic indie rock band, fronted by Pete Doherty and Carl Barat, delivered a setlist packed to the brim with their greatest hits and fan favourites, as well as newer tunes from their newest album All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade.
The support acts Peter Xan & The Dead Freights came with a vengeance, filling up The Great Hall with sneaky guitar riffs and drums that you felt deep down in your bones. After a girl got pulled out of the crowd for climbing over the barrier during the first support act Peter Xan, I knew I was in for it. I hadn’t really been privy to this kind of passion before from the crowd, as they sang back every lyric to the musicians on stage louder than they were singing it into the mics — completely shutting down the venue and taking over every corner of it with … noise.
While the support brought the energy to The Great Hall, The Libertines had a steady climb until they reached their peak. From the opening chords of “The Delaney” which kicked off the expansive set to the final shouts of “Don’t Look Back into the Sun”, the crowd was immediately swept up in a wave of nostalgia and excitement. I had not been privy to that kind of passion before, but every lyric that was sung, was sang back even louder by the crowd at The Great Hall.
Highlights of the set included classic tracks like “Can’t Stand Me Now”, before venturing into tracks like “Run Run Run” off of their newest album. The Great Hall was packed with adoring fans, the band seeming to warm up when they heard everyone singing along back with them. The fans’ enthusiasm was infectious, and for someone who didn’t know that many songs by The Libertines, I definitely left that gig more inclined to listen to them, just from seeing how happy everyone was. The band’s performance was a reminder of why they are one of the most beloved indie rock bands in British music.
The Libertines’ show at The Great Hall will be a night that fans who were lucky enough to fill up the venue will be talking about for years to come.
Written & Photographed by Meg Ivy Brunning
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