A local venue that is rapidly becoming a superpub to rival those of London last night played host to four bona fide superstars, and music history was made in the heart of Chatham.

Pete Doherty, estranged Libertines frontman, chose the Tap 'n' Tin, Railway St, Chatham, as the venue to host his "freedom gig" on the day that he was released from Sheppey prison after a short sentence for burglary. Having battled heroin addiction and plumbing the inevitable depths such an affliction brings with it, Pete was found in upbeat mood, eager to prove his doubters wrong and put his career, and his band, firmly back on track.

Originally scheduled to perform a solo acoustic set, the 200 strong crowd packed into the top floor of the pub were treated to witnessing the reunion of The Libertines, right on the tiny stage! What followed was nothing short of awe-inspiring. An hour long set reprised all the great songs that have elevated this band to become one of the biggest and most well respected acts in the country.

Supported by Cherubs and The Bandits, the night started relatively restrained, the crowd obviously here for one reason only. But each band quickly overcame this by performing two great sets, fully justifying why they are playing on the same bill as Pete Doherty. By the time they’d finished, the crowd was pumped for more, no doubt helped by seeing Carl, Gary and John of The Libertines mingling and enjoying the show, fuelling rumours that the whole band were to perform.

Indeed that was the case! Stepping on stage were The Libertines, united and as one again. Opening their set with “Seven Deadly Sins”, the band were on fine form and that they haven’t performed together since an appearance on the David Letterman show in America five months ago was belied by the ease and confidence with which they blazed through their songs. Most worthy of note was “Don’t Look Back Into The Sun”, their excellent and most recent single, produced by Bernard Butler, formerly of Suede and who was present in the crowd tonight. Crammed in at the front of the stage, it was an amazing feeling to be bodily lifted by the surging mass of people, all singing word perfectly, caught up in the bliss of this perfect little song.

With a feeling of barely contained chaos, and with Pete and co-frontman Carl Barat sharing vocal duties and often microphones, the show continued in semi shambolic fashion, complete with a mid song stage invasion by about 40 of the audience. But it’s this very attitude that marks The Libertines out from the crowd of grumpy shoe gazing guitar bands. Witty, vibrant and completely lacking of any pretentiousness, there is no wall between artist and audience. Quite literally, the fans were able to reach out and touch their heroes and be touched back, no heavy handed security hauling people back.

As the set drew to a close with the fantastic “Up The Bracket”, the mood in the air was jubilant. Those fortunate enough to be here were absolutely elated that their favourite band had seemingly emerged triumphant from the black times. Speaking to the band after the show, that feeling of elation is shared and it appears that whilst there’s a long way to go, tonight was the first big step in getting the show back on the road.

The significance of this gig cannot be underestimated. An event of this calibre has put The Tap 'n' Tin on the map as a serious venue, and the rise in credibilty can only lead to bigger and better things for the Medway towns. Recently topping a Guardian poll as the most important band in Britain currently, relegating the era defining Radiohead into second place, The Libertines are hot property with a devoted following. Debut album “Up The Bracket” is widely lauded as one of the finest albums to be released in recent years, and anticipation of a second studio album is at a fever pitch. Anticipation that may be paid off soon regarding that the band walked off with smiles so wide on their faces that the tops of their heads were in danger of sliding off.

Submitted by Bagpuss

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