----Liverpool Academy Feb 24 2003
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Liverpool Academy Feb 24 2003
Live Review – The Libertines
24th February 2003 – Liverpool Academy 2
This band has, over the past year, gone from playing the back of sweaty
pubs
in London, to playing venues of a more than modest size. Releasing
three
singles, one album, and doing three comprehensive tours, it is clear
that
the band has worked for the recognition that they have received.
However,
the Liverpool Academy 2 is very sizeable, and doubts flew around my
head as
to the ability of the band to fill such a large venue. A small turnout
could have been disastrous. Could they pull off a show that could so
easily
fail?
Support came from Kill City, essentially a poor man’s Republica, but
with a
vocalist less talented and with a tendency to confuse dancing with
air-stewardess impressions. You could almost here her slowly
announcing
that “exits can be located here, here, etc”. Shocking stuff and it was
a
pleasure to see them leave the stage.
The venue had filled little throughout this act, and it was only a
short
time until The Libertines were to grace the stage. However, a sudden
surge
of bar-proper fans minutes before the set ensured that the venue was
filled
to a moderate proportion. Large gaps still remained at the back of the
incredibly high ceiling venue, and I could foresee sound problems
galore.
As the band graced the stage, a half-hearted roar of approval came from
the
crowd. This was puzzling. The last tour took place over very small
and
intimate venues full of fanatical fans of the band, and here were many
people simply waiting in expectation for the music to start. It soon
became
clear that a large proportion of the crowd were simply here to check
out the
‘next big thing’. This could prove even more problematic.
The Libertines, you see, are a highly-strung mess of a band. In fact,
the
genius of their material is their complete inability to maintain a
pace,
with each track escalating out of control, into heady climaxes of
guitar
noise and drum psychosis. This level of unpredictability, coupled with
my
other doubts, left me in apprehension of their first song.
I was soon assured that I should not have doubted The Libertines’
ability.
Seconds after arriving on stage the band blasted into ‘Horrorshow’,
getting
the whole place jumping in frenzy.
The hits and more obscure tracks were belted out with intimidating
force in
quick succession. There is little slow material played tonight, and
even
the more sedate ‘Death On The Stairs’ is speeded into a punk whirlwind.
However, the venue is too large. The sound echoes across the back,
causing
the sound to muffle. Also, certain portions of the crowd show no
enthusiasm, clearly not impressed with the high-octane nature of the
live
show. Admittedly, the sound is far more suited to smaller venues, but
for a
band new to larger halls, the display is a huge success.
Highlights of the show included a surprising version of ‘Mayday’, one
of my
personal favourite b-sides from the first single, and the Sex
Pistols-esque
‘Boy Looked At Johnny’. The closing song of the show caused more
hilarity,
a seaside shanty called ‘Sally Brown’ performed live by Rabbi John
Connor, a
vertically challenged man with exaggerated facial hair.
Even though the show could have failed miserably, The Libertines fought
against all odds and delivered a good, energetic live performance.
Although
far more suited to small venues, the plague of ‘trendy’ music press
praise
has damned this band to larger capacity venues than they are suited.
So if
you can catch them at a small show, then you are in for a real treat.
If
not, you won’t be disappointed, but I’m afraid you’ll have missed them
at
their live best.
Performance 5/5
Other circumstances 3/5
Brum x
