An indie icon is coming to Bristol as part of his first solo acoustic tour in a decade

An indie icon is coming to Bristol as part of his first solo acoustic tour in a decade

Posted on: 20 Feb 2023

Peter Doherty is gearing up for a string of solo acoustic shows, playing classics from The Libertines, Babyshambles and his various solo projects.

 

Peter Doherty’s ‘The Battered Songbook’ tour will drop by O2 Academy Bristol on Saturday 29 April.

 

Known for his rebellious spirit, sharp wit, deep poeticism and his notion of Albion (an idyllic vision of ancient England), Doherty is a rock and roll romantic synonymous with the British music scene in the 2000s.

 

Pre-sale become available on Wednesday 22 and general sale begins on Friday 24 February.

 

BUY TICKETS HERE

 

 

Doherty was born into a military family and was a high achiever at a young age. After moving to London as a teenager, he met guitarist and singer Carl Barat. The pair immediately formed a unique kinship and musical connection.

 

The duo began writing songs together and formed The Libertines, originally with a patchwork assortment of local characters and then with bassist John Hassall and drummer Gary Powell.

 

The Libertines quickly became one of the leading lights in UK indie following the release of the 2001 debut single ‘What a Water’ and a string of raucous DIY shows known as guerrilla gigs. 

 

Debut album Up The Bracket was released the following year, garnering widespread critical acclaim. Produced by The Clash’s Mick Jones, the record’s rough, visceral sound blended perfectly with the punk and garage influences. Up The Bracket went against the musical zeitgeist, displaying a playful chaos that had been missing from music at the time.

However, Doherty’s drug problems and tempestuous relationship with Barat worsened and, in 2003, the former spent time in prison for breaking into latter’s apartment. The Libertines released their self-titled sophomore album the following year. It once more proved a critical success, but it was not enough to keep the band together.

 

Following The Libertine’s break-up, Doherty turned his attention towards Babyshambles, a project he had formed during a band hiatus. They released four albums between 2005 and 2013 as well as a debut solo record, Grace/Wastelands in 2009.

 

The Libertines reformed in 2010 and have toured regularly since then, releasing their third album Anthems for Doomed Youth in 2015. Doherty has also played with his band The Puta Madres in recent years and married bandmate Katia de Vidas in 2019.

 

Now, as The Libertines begin work on a fourth record, the singer-songwriter is heading out on an acoustic tour dubbed ‘The Battered Songbook’.

Peter Doherty plays O2 Academy Bristol on Saturday 29 April with general sale tickets available from Friday 24 February – secure yours HERE.

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Article by:

Stanley Gray

Stan is a born and bred Bristolian, recently graduated from studying English Literature in Sheffield. His passions are music and literature and he spends the majority of his time in venues all over the city, immersing himself in Bristol’s alternative music scene. A lifelong Bristol City fan, Stan’s Saturdays are spent watching his team both home and away.