(Written by Laura on behalf of Peter)
Attending The Libertines with my Dad at Newcastle’s NX felt somewhat like stepping into a time machine. Ten years ago, we’d seen their much-anticipated reunion gig at Alexandra Palace, a chaotic, electrifying affair that reignited my teenage obsession with their music. Now, a decade later, it felt fitting to revisit the band whose lyrics and mythology had so deeply resonated with my younger self.
In my teens, I’d spent countless evenings after school poring over Pete Doherty and Carl Barât’s lyrics, piecing together their tales of Arcadia and the Albion, a romanticised, whimsical world they’d created. Their friendship, brimming with both camaraderie and infamously tempestuous moments, added layers to their songs that always felt personal. Seeing them live again, I wondered if their chemistry would still hold the same magic.
The NX crowd was buzzing long before the band took to the stage. A lively local band opened the evening, followed by a wonderfully eccentric woman armed with an acoustic guitar. Her quirky short set featured a song about aging, as well as a spirited cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” which had everyone singing along. Between acts, a compère kept the energy up, hyping us for the main event.
Eventually, the lights dimmed and Lindisfarne’s “Fog on the Tyne” began to play. The crowd sang along, the volume reaching a peak as the Libertines burst onto the stage. When The Libertines finally emerged, the room exploded with cheers. Pete and Carl, trading sly grins and familiar banter, launched into an energetic set that sent waves of nostalgia through the crowd. From the first notes of “The Delaney” to the closing encore of “Don’t Look Back Into the Sun, their performance was a whirlwind of raw energy and emotion.
For me, tracks like “What Became of the Likely Lads and “Time for Heroes” were the highlights, songs that had soundtracked so many moments of my teenage years. Even now, their lyrics carried the same power, blending wit, melancholy, and rebellion in a way that felt timeless. The audience sang every word back at the band, the collective voice of fans who’d grown up with these songs and still held them close.
To my shame, I didn’t recognise much of their newer material, but their delivery made even the unfamiliar tracks feel compelling. Watching Pete and Carl interact, sharing their mike and personal space, reminded me of why I’d loved them in the first place. Their bond, for all its ups and downs, remains the beating heart of The Libertines.
As we walked out into the crisp November air, Dad and I couldn’t stop talking about the gig, comparing it to 2014 and reminiscing about the band’s enduring charm. A night with The Libertines is never just a concert—it’s a celebration of music, friendship, and the stories we carry with us.
Setlist Fog on the Tyne (intro music), The Delaney, That Became of the Likely Lads, Up the Bracket, Boys in the Band, Night of the Hunter, What Katie Did, The Good Old Days, Baron’s Claw, Vertigo, Shiver, Merry Old England, Death on the Stairs, You’re My Waterloo, Music When the Lights Go Out, Horrorshow, Run Run Run, Can’t Stand Me Now
Encore Man With the Melody, What a Waster, Gunga Din, Last Post on the Bugle,
Songs They Never Play on the Radio, Time for Heroes, Don’t Look Back Into the Sun
This was a Mini festival of music which started at 4:30 PM! As I had other commitments on the afternoon I could not make the start of the show. I went along at around 7:30 PM just in time to catch the end of 
A massive singalong and a great introduction to our evening. Sadly, we had already missed 
Next up was the Wedding Present who were one of my main reasons for attending, the other being to see 
They were very loud, fast; reminiscent of the noise of The Birthday Party (Nick Cave’s first band); and David’s favourite band at the time of their formation. David is a very charismatic front man. The songs were unfamiliar to me but I greatly enjoyed each of them. Shades of punk and the Clash ran through my mind. They played a lovely loud, fast version of “Make Me Smile (Come up and See Me)” as a tribute to the late, great, sadly missed Steve Harley. Thanks Ciaran for the recommendation. I must see them again.
I have seen Peter Hook several times over the years. Firstly, with the pre-Joy Division band Warsaw, then the legendary Joy Division themselves and several times with New Order. I also saw him in an intimate book launch show where he talked about his career, demonstrated his different bass guitars and signed copies of his book (which I purchased and stored away upstairs in my hoarder’s vault):. As expected, Peter was centre-stage, bass low down almost on his knee (although not quite as low down as it used to be, perhaps) and delivered an excellent set including many Joy Division classics.
One welcome surprise came a few songs into the set. Peter declared (something like this): “I played my second ever gig in this hall. Our first gig, when we were called Warsaw, before we transformed into Joy Division, was in Manchester and we were playing with north-east band Penetration. They kindly offered to let us play with them the following night here so we came up and supported Penetration and the Adverts in this very hall”. Well, you were almost right, Peter, but I was at that concert and I am 100% certain that it was not in the City Hall but it was in the old Guildhall down by the Quayside.
I remember this particular concert very well. I followed Penetration, and many other punk bands at the time, and met Gary, from Penetration by chance outside the Guildhall. He said something like “We were playing in Manchester last night and met this new great band Warsaw. We invited them up to play here tonight”. The lineup was (in order of appearance): Warsaw, Harry Hack and the Big G (local Newcastle punk band), Penetration and headliners the Adverts, featuring Gaye) Advert on base and vocalist and bandleader TV Smith, had just had a hit with “Gary Gilmore’s eyes” (Gary Gilmore was an American killer who was executed in 1976 and the song is about a guy who wakes up in hospital having had an eye transplant and realises he has been given Gilmore’s eyes!) Crazy or what?.
My recollection of Warsaw is very sketchy but I did watch them and thought they were a reasonable new fast punk band. I almost shouted from my vantage point on the wheelchair platform “No Peter it was the Guildhall” but I was too reserved to do so and anyway I don’t think he would have heard me. I have a flyer for the gig somewhere but it doesn’t mention Warsaw at all as they were a late addition to the bill. Peter Hook then proceeded to play a Warsaw song which I’m afraid I did not recognise but sound quite good. Peter also dedicated a song to Steve Harley; the guy is much missed they ended their set with a brilliant rendition of “Love Will Tear us Apart”. Another fantastic singalong.
Peter Hook & the Light Setlist: No Love Lost; Exercise One; Digital; Warsaw; Reaction; Inside the Line; Ice Age; Novelty; Disorder; New Dawn Fades; She’s Lost Control; Shadowplay; Isolation; Twenty Four Hours; Atmosphere; Ceremony; Transmission; Love Will Tear Us Apart
support to Robin Williamson, formerly of the wonderful Incredible String Band, some time ago. Since then, they have clearly built up their own following and this was clearly evident by the number of people who turned out to see them in the large hall of the Glasshouse. In fact, it was very full for their performance.
For some reason I always try and compare bands I witness to other artists. In the case of Lanterns on the Lake I found this quite difficult to do. This band perform exquisite music which crosses many genres: folk rock, progressive rock and indie rock. They are all of these, and more. Do they remind me of Any other bands? Fairport Convention perhaps? Curved Air? Neither of these really. Lanterns on the Lake have their own sound, and have built up a very strong fan base. They are, of course, a local band who hail from Newcastle.
In their own words: ‘Of course we enjoy every gig we play on tour but it always leads up to the most special night of them all – our hometown show. The Glasshouse has been a big part of our journey as a band. We’ll be looking forward to that Friday night in December, playing songs new and old and sharing it with the people who have been on this journey with us since the very beginning’
Lanterns on the Lake have just released a new album Versions of Us. About the album: “The nine songs on Versions of Us are existential meditations examining life’s possibilities, facing the hand we’ve been dealt and the question of whether we can change our individual and collective destinies. Each song’s journey is matched beautifully by the band’s performances. The grumbling, staticky synths of “Rich Girls” cede to an ascending, spine-tingling bridge of sinuous guitar and bass.
“Vatican” pivots on a bluesy, midnight-black riff from ever-inventive Paul Gregory and a muted bassline from Bob Allan on a song about love’s quiet reliability. “Real Life” hares down from the traps, aquaplaning on the surface tension of its fuzzing guitars and chiming central hook – a blast of indie rock on an album full of musical high-watermarks for the band.”
Front person Hazel Wilde is lead singer, guitarist and keyboard player. She provides wonderful meandering vocals soaring upward at times and searing across the loud chords and solos of her electric guitar. For this tour the band feature two drummers, one being none other than Radiohead’s Philip Selway. The remainder of the band are bass player Bob Allen who thrashes and bashes away at his instrument throwing it to the ground at the end of the concert, guitarist Paul Gregory and Angela Chan who plays electric violin reminiscent of Darryl Way from Curved Air (at least in my prog rock mind).
An excellent introduction to a new band that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing. Do check about if you get the chance. Thanks to Elaine for the photographs and Chris for manipulating the site.
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His music is I suppose (and how would I know at my age?) Indie Rock. He has catchy pop songs, a full backing band who gave him a rocky edge and a rapidly growing Sunderland following. He is also very ambitious. “Thank you for having me at the Fire Station for two nights, how about next time I come to Sunderland Empire and we try and sell that out? And how about the Stadium of Light? No I could not sell that out yet but maybe in the future?” Tom says to the audience. He clearly has these venues in his sight. And why not? Newcastle has Sam Fender, Middlesbrough has James Arthur and maybe the time is right for this guy to be the Sunderland equivalent. You get the feeling the crowd is willing this to happen.
From the Fire Station site: “Fresh off the back of a wave of support for his latest single “Little Bits”, which found airtime on BBC Radio 1, Radio X, and Absolute Radio, as well as on air support on Sunday Brunch, MTV Gonzo, and MOTD X, Sunderland’s Tom A. Smith has now returned to announce the details behind his latest collection ‘EP3’, alongside the euphoric new single “Weirdo”.
‘EP3’ will follow an incredible whirlwind of live performances throughout the last year, including being selected by Elton John to join him at his British Summer Time show at Hyde Park, appearances at Glastonbury, Barn On The Farm, F1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and opening Leeds Festival to more than 6000 music fans. He was also announced as Apple Music’s Up Next artist for September and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist of the month. Having already played a ton of gigs throughout the last two years, including supporting Courteeners, Miles Kane, Martha Hill, Vistas, Blondes, The Pale White, Eliza and The Bear, Gang of Youths, whenyoung, Cat Empire, and Sunset Sons, as well as shows at The Great Escape, Stockton Calling, Sound City and Neighbourhood Weekender, Tom A. Smith looks set to continue his busy live schedule throughout 2023 as well.”
“There’s an age-old rule about working for 10,000 hours before you truly master something. Now, we can’t verify if that’s true or not, but prodigal songwriter Tom A. Smith must surely have clocked up 10,000 hours before he was even in his teens.” – CLASH
The crowd was a mixture of (mainly) young people, and a smattering of older fans and (I assume) members of his family. I bought his tour T-shirt which was sold to me by a couple of lovely friendly ladies who could be family members? Jan and I both really enjoyed it and we are now official Tom A Smith fans. Thanks to Jan for the photos and to Chris for helping me with the entry. This guy seems to be on an up and coming trajectory. And all credit to him.
So 
For me, the preshow videos which Morrissey projects onto the stage screen before the concert, are always very interesting and they give an insight into Morrissey’s beliefs, interests and values. This night we were treated to some great film clips including “Loudmouth” by the Ramones; a wonderful nostalgia trip (at least for me) of “
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