The Libertines - New York CBGB's / Bowery Ballroom - 30/4 & 5/5/03
4/5
By: Joshua K
Two months after their original American debut was postponed, here finally come the Albion boys on a whistle-stop tour of the States - including an impressive three gigs in and around Manhattan.
Given rockfeedback's long-time support of the band, it's no surprise that we were there for two of the NYC shows: the first, at legendary rock nightspot CBGB; and the last, at small venue du jour Bowery Ballroom. (For trainspotters, the other show was at a club called Luxx, but... trek to Brooklyn?!? Nein, danke.)
Anyone curious whether the Libertines have U.S. buzz need only consider that this run began with a headline set at California's Coachella Festival and ended with a slot on the prestigious 'Late Night with David Letterman' talk-show. But, did they live up to the hype? Verily. And despite similar set-lists, repeat attendees were able to witness two different sides of the Libertines.
Fitting with the lore of CBs, spiritual home to the Ramones and other punk gods, those packing into the first night were treated to a rough n' tumble set marked by false starts, fuzzed-out guitar parts, flying bodies (that would be singers/guitarists Pete and Carl), and manic pogoing (that would be the audience). Much of debut album 'Up The Bracket' gets aired - from the frothy 'Boys in the Band' to 'Horror Show' to pub-rock standard 'The Boy Looked at Johnny', all marked by ragged yet rhythmic energy. Watching Pete and Carl flail about the stage with wild abandon, banging into each other and butting heads during duets, one can only think back to their earliest gigs. No bad thing, mind, when your tunes are good enough that you can toss off spitfire versions of 'What A Waster' and 'Mayday' only fifteen minutes in.
By the middle of the set, Carl has one-upped Avril Lavigne, striding across the stage in skinny black tie and no top. And the evening ends past midnight in the only way it could: with a furious run-through of 'I Get Along', marked by strobe lights and a massive, dancing stage-invasion urged by the band.
The Bowery show, on the other hand, is a chance for Peter, Carlos, John and Gary to funnel their repertoire through a filter labeled 'tight musicianship'. Anyone who ever questioned the boys' skills would quickly be silenced by inspiring displays such as a locked-in rendition of 'Vertigo', the passionate gallivant of 'The Good Old Days' and other deserved hits. It's a gig that heigtens the quality a hundred-fold while losing none of the intensity. In fact, 'What A Waster', again dispensed early on, even manages to shut up a determined heckler who spent the breaks between the first few songs taunting, 'Go on then!'
Go on, indeed. Proving their initial, unrestrained media-support to be wildly justified, and winning over traditionally sceptical New York crowds several times over, we can only, eagerly await the Libertines' next trick.
Artists in this article: The Libertines
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