The Libertines

As The Strokes ushered in a new generation of garage rock-inspired bands in the early Noughties, The Libertines offered a distinctly British blast of ramshackle rock'n'roll in response. Quickly building up a reputation for anarchic guerrilla gigs and chaotic live shows, the fraught relationship between joint front men Pete Doherty and Carl Barat soon sparked a devoted fan base. Produced by The Clash guitarist Mick Jones, debut album Up The Bracket (2003) turned them into the darlings of the UK indie scene; with singles What A Waster, Up The Bracket and Time For Heroes establishing a sound that drew on the spirit of punk, the melodies of Sixties' guitar bands and the poetic romance of olde time England. Doherty's spiralling drug problems brought prison sentences, rehab and a high profile relationship with Kate Moss, with the increased tensions forcing the band to employ security guards during the recording of second album The Libertines (2004). Can't Stand Me Now became a Number 2 hit single in the UK but, after Doherty was ejected from the band (going on to form Babyshambles), they split in December, 2004. In 2010 they reformed with Doherty to play the Reading and Leeds festivals.

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