Updates here:
18.24 – We’re about to kick off. Turns our there’s a liberties raffle. A chance to one win some “special limited edition” prizes. Exciting. I hope one of the prizes is time travel. Doubt it.
18.49 – Smiths roaring from the speakers. Rare libertines photos on the projector. The troxy is slowly filling up. May not be full tonight, but what a night it’s going to be. Wispers going around that they will play. Stay tuned.
18.56 – “you get under my skin but I don’t find it irritating” Another Girl Another Planet. Great music. Of course
19.10 – any min now we’ll be kicking off with speeches from the director, Roger Sargent then a word from the boys in the band, then the first screening of “The Libertines: There are no innocent bystanders”. The title comes from an iconic snap from the early days, the phrase was found graffitied on a wall. Of course Sargent being the Sargent decided this would be the perfect back-drop for the band and a very, very, apt title.
19.20 – venue just about full. From what I can see from near the front anyway. I feel a tiny bit like a thirteen year old waiting for Justin Biber.
19.22 – Did I actually just say that. God. C’mon
19.26 – just spotted Nikki? From big brother. The one little blonde one who infamously shouted “who is she”. Didn’t have her down as a libertines fan. Though. She doesn’t look pleased. When does she ever.
19.34 – still no sign of the band.
19.56 – 20minute wait at the bar, and when you’re finally there you have to quickly accept that fact bottles of bud are £4.00. Perhaps the money from tonight is to fund their next album? Ha. No. Apparently the band have been spotted outside. Must be an 8pm kick off, almost like the el clasico. Except that was 7.45pm and features football.
20.19 – and we’re off. Apparently just Gary libertine is here. Crowd is not happy. More to follow.
20.29 – “say what you like about the libertines and a lot of people fucking do” gary’s onstage and got great response
21.57 – “strictly no photography and all phones off”
The film was amazing. Every crook, every stone over-turned. Amazing to hear just how the band actually affected each and every member. As moving as it was informative.
22.15 – strange atmosphere here now, apparently both Carl Barat and John Hassel(?) have been spotted. There is a stage, but seemingly, no equipment. None that we can see anyway. Unlikely that they’ll play.
Highlights of the film:
Carl Barat visiting iconic libertines haunts. Such as their flat in Bethnal Green, “up the bracket alley” and a certain east end bagel shop. Peter appeared very rough and un-tidy during his interviews. A very 2005/6 kind of Peter who cut a lost figure on the enormous troxy screen. John seemed very happy and blessed. As did Gary. Carl seemed very moved, especially when he noticed the poem “suicide in the trenches” scribbled on the walls of “up the bracket alley”. It’s a poem that means a lot to band, as they famously recited it at the NME awards as they collected their “best British band” gong.
Hopefully we will see more, Roger Sargent is still expected to make an appearance. Apparently to answer questions. So. Hopefully more to follow.
Yet having been a keen follower of the tunic-tearaways, I’m used to saying hopefully…but often to no avail…
