The Libertines returned to the stage at the O2 Academy Bournemouth for a raucous night of guitars, anthems, and unbridled energy. As the iconic indie rock band took the stage, the crowd was ready for a wild ride — and they got exactly that.
The Libertines have always thrived on chaos and spontaneity, and tonight was no exception. The chemistry between Doherty and Barât was as electric as ever, with the two trading lyrics, bantering, and sharing the occasional wry smile, as if the years apart hadn’t dulled their onstage magic.
The setlist was a celebration of their storied career, pulling hits from both their debut Up the Bracket and later albums The Libertines, Anthems for Doomed Youth and this years release, All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade. Crowd favourites like “Time for Heroes,” “Don’t Look Back into the Sun,” and “What Became of the Likely Lads” were delivered with a mix of rawness and intensity that only The Libertines can muster. The crowd, largely a sea of nostalgic 2000s indie kids, ate it all up. They sang every word, creating a collective sense of joy and rebellion in the air.
The Libertines at O2 Academy Bournemouth was a visceral, chaotic, and deeply nostalgic celebration of a band that has always defied convention. For fans, it was a reminder of why they fell in love with The Libertines in the first place: they’re not just a band, they’re an experience. And this gig was a perfect reflection of that wild, wonderful energy.