Photo Credit: Jess Plunkett
Words: Abi Hawes
BABYSHAMBLES took to the stage on Wednesday night, promising a night full of music while celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album ‘Down in Albion’. Having not toured since 2014, they managed to encapsulate a fantastic energy that brought the night alive. It’s not hard to see the incredible presence that Pete Doherty brought to stage even after 25 years.
To open the night full of music, the first band JUNIOR BROTHER came on. Although the venue wasn’t even half full, the three-piece band put on a great show, sat on stools at the front of the stage. They had an original sense, bringing an Irish essence especially with their instrument choice as they used a bouzouki. This is something I have never seen before and I was blown away with how good the band sounded. They began with ‘Week End‘ and ‘This Is My Body‘, then went onto explain the meaning behind their song ‘Welcome to My Mountain‘. The frontman Ronan Kealy explained that he wrote the song in lockdown as he went on long walks, with the idea of fairy forts in his mind. He claimed that the last song was “based off a cult” and went into straight into the song. Before playing the last song, he claimed that live music is the purest form of music, after asking the crowed if it was vinyl’s or CDs that were ‘in’ at the moment. They closed the show was a new song from their latest album.
At this point, the venue still seemed pretty empty. However, I’m sure that anyone there was thankful they came early as Pete came on stage unexpectedly. He thanked everyone for coming early and congratulated Junior Brother after stating about how hard it is to open for a band as the audience is there for the main band. Someone threw a letter on stage as he was talking to which you picked up and put in his pocket, before telling the audience that he was helping the next act, Charlie Bueller, to make an album. Before walking off stage, he said he was hopeful the audience would appreciate what he has to offer.
CHARLIE BUELLER came on stage to play an acoustic set, with just him and his guitar. He played two songs, ‘Tall Handsome James‘ to open with which he explained was someone he was jealous of. Then, he played a song about missing someone, which he admitted that he would only say with an audience looking at him weirdly. These few songs showed raw emotion. Before he left, he told the audience that he’s got QR codes around the room and at the merchandise stalls to sign up to his mailing list for previews of his music before he officially releases it early next year. I think it became clear why Pete Doherty has taken him under his wing, his voice, lyrics and even slightly his mannerisms reflected a younger version of himself. It will be good to see CHARIE BUELLER’s growth of an artist, as it was clear from the gig that he has a lot to offer.
Once again, Pete came back on stage, claiming it was a privilege and an honour for him to introduce Birmingham’s very own band, GANS. Before walking back off stage, he said he hoped we had ear plugs, leaving some of the audience wondering what he meant.
It became clear why Pete said this soon after, the 2-piece band came onto the stage and immediately became playing hard rock music. The skills from both members of GANS was highly impressive, one playing the drums and singing while the other was singing, playing the guitar and electronic equipment. The band had an insane energy, motivating the now almost full audience to put their fists in the air and stating that “It’s an interactive show and in order for it to be interactive you have to move”. Cups of unknown liquids went flying around the room, as many people jumped around. However, it got even busier for the second to last song, as Euan Woodman, the drummer and vocalist for the band encouraged a mosh pit. It’s fair to say that the duo knows how to get a crowd going, warming them up perfectly for BABYSHAMBLES. For the last song, Euan Woodman went into the audience, and the venue became a sea of phones. Though, not even a video or a photo could fully show how incredible the band sounded and interacted or replicate the buzz of energy that was formed.
After they came off stage, it wasn’t long before Pete was back briefly. He reintroduced Charlie Bueller, who did another two unreleased songs. Thankfully, there was more of an audience to appreciate his talent this time. He played a tune called ‘Buellers Blue‘ which highlighted his vocal skills before finishing by saying “let’s have a dance then I will go off”. The audience was in sync, clapping along, mostly living in the moment and enjoying this new talent that had been introduced.
Once again, Pete returned to the stage, this time admitting that he’s been told by the venue that the band can’t sell stuff from the stage, and therefore they were handing out free magazines which you were more likely to get if you gave a £10 donation. As the anticipation arose, people scrambled to find notes in their bags and pockets, rushing to the front to be given their magazine by Pete.
Before anyone knew it, the Simpsons theme filled the venue as the band walked out. The crowd cheered and clapped, excited for BABYSHAMBLES to return and play their selection of amazing songs. They immediately set the tone for the rest of the show by opening with ‘Killimangiro‘. Not only did Pete Doherty sound brilliant, but he also looked it. From this, they went straight into ‘Delivery‘, another crowd pleaser. It was obvious that the majority of people there were living in the moment, enjoying the sound of the band, thrilled for their return. By opening the night like this, it meant the atmosphere was buzzing. They continued with ‘I Wish‘, ‘Seductive and Beg‘, ‘Steal or Borrow‘. Then, they played ‘There She Goes‘, before covering ‘I Wanna Be Adored‘ by The Stone Roses.
The songs all flowed flawlessly. Within this, Pete presented himself as a phenomenal front man, interacting with the audience and dancing along to his tunes. It was clear that the band were passion driven, while looking like they were enjoying the gig as much as everyone else was. Before going into ‘Back from the Dead‘, he asked the crowd if anyone had ever died and come back before, to which he seemed shocked about when so many people shouted that they had.
Soon after, Pete constructed his own survey of where people were from, claiming that about 1/5 of the audience were actually from Birmingham. He said that the band isn’t into social media and so therefore the band has to do its own research through in person demographic research.
The band continued to rattle through the songs with Pete’s verve and energy continuing throughout. Having seen the Libertines twice in the last couple of years, I was stuck by how much healthier he looked as he kept up[ with the band and the crowd that mostly sand every word back to him.
Before the band went into ‘Albion‘, Pete started talking through facts about Birmingham such as Peaky Blinders and the relations with the Welsh during the industrial revolution. They went into their latest song, released earlier this month, ‘Dandy Hooligan‘, which had a great reaction. This has been their first song released in 12 years making it clear that BABYSHAMBLES still have a lot to offer in terms of live music and recorded music.
They closed their main set with ‘Lost Art of Murder‘ from their 2007 album, Shotter’s nation, before they headed off stage.
Shortly after, they came back on to do a 5 song long encore, starting it with ‘Pipedown‘. It seemed to be a crowd pleaser as the majority of the audience began bouncing up and down, with a mosh pit even forming. This was the pinnacle moment of the night, as it became clear this room full of strangers were all joined together through their love for this band. Although they often seem to close with ‘Fuck Forever‘, they played it next, continuing the energy that had formed.
Much to my surprise, they went into ‘What Katie Did‘ by The Libertines, Pete Doherty’s other band. Reflecting on it, it just shows the skill he has, making him a key figure within musical history. He continued dancing around the stage, making it impossible not to smile. They band finished with their hit ‘You Talk‘, bringing the track to life before concluding the show with ‘The Man Who Came To Stay‘.
Ultimately, I spent the night in awe at the band, hopeful that BABYSHAMBLES will hang around for longer, it’s clear that they have so much more to offer. Through their charisma, they showed everyone what makes a good live band. Pete Doherty proved to be such a great frontman, through both his dancing and insane singing.
Taped Magazine 