The Libertines performed publically for the first time in six years in London last night (August 25).

The band, who have reunited for this weekend’s Reading and Leeds festivals, thrilled fans at The Forum in Kentish Town.

Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, Gary Powell and John Hassall played a 22-song career-spanning set.

The crowd included former Supergrass drummer Danny Goffey and Amy Winehouse, who was jeered by fans before the band came on.

Arriving on stage 15 minutes late, The Libertines kicked off their set with ‘Horrorshow’, which triggered a huge crowd surge.

The song established a relentless pace, and was followed by a succession of hits, including ‘The Delaney’ and ‘Last Post On The Bugle’.

As with their private show on Tuesday (August 24), the band, who played in front of a huge Libertines backdrop, kept crowd interaction to a minimum, choosing instead to focus on the music.

Barat and Doherty shared vocals on an affectionate rendition of ‘Music When The Lights Go Out’, and came together again later in the set during ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ and ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’.

Following a raucous performance of ‘Time For Heroes’, the band left the stage before returning to play nine more songs.

These included the crowd-pleasing hits ‘What Became Of The Likely Lads’, b-side ‘Lust Of The Libertines’ and ‘Up The Bracket’.

They then performed first single ‘What A Waster’, after which Doherty told the crowd: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are The Libertines.”

Following traditional closer ‘I Got Along’, Doherty and Barat shared a poignant hug, which attracted a huge roar from the crowd, before all four band members took their bow.

(by Jason Gregory)