ANYWHERE IN ALBION LIVE: PETE DOHERTY GOES DOWN THE GRASS-ROUTE

LIVE REVIEW | PETER DOHERTY | SOUTH LONDON NEW CROSS INN – 17th March 2025 by Miles Humphreys

Pete Doherty’s Anywhere In Albion Tour has been about getting back to his roots and nowhere felt more fitting than the New Cross Inn last night (March 17, 2025). The venue, one of South London’s best-loved grassroots spaces, was absolutely heaving—fans crammed wall to wall, spilling out the doors, with every inch of space taken up by eager faces hoping to catch a glimpse of The Libertines frontman in one of the most intimate settings he’s played in years.

Doherty’s decision to perform in smaller, independent venues is no accident. The Anywhere in Albion tour feels like a statement—a love letter to the places that nurtured his early career and a rallying cry for their survival. These are the same kinds of pubs and clubs where The Libertines first found their feet, and in a time when rising costs and venue closures threaten live music culture, Doherty’s presence in these spaces is as much an act of support as it is a trip down memory lane.

In a 2024 interview, he spoke about the importance of grassroots venues, saying, “Small venues… they are the lifeblood of music. It’s where we started, playing pubs, playing working men’s clubs. It’s where bands find their soul.” That sentiment was fully on display last night—sweat dripping from the walls, a crowd so tightly packed you could barely move, and an energy that felt closer to the early 2000s chaos of The Libertines than anything you’d expect from a man now in his mid-40s.

From the moment Doherty took the stage, in his classic trilby hat, there was an undeniable electricity in the room. Armed with an acoustic guitar and his signature raw, unfiltered vocals, he weaved between solo tracks and Libertines classics, each one met with raucous cheers and heartfelt singalongs.

Songs like For Lovers and Arcady showcased the more reflective side of his songwriting, while Libertines staples such as Time for Heroes and Don’t Look Back Into the Sun had the entire room screaming every word, pint glasses raised high in the air. The latter felt euphoric—Doherty, clearly feeding off the crowd’s energy, drawing out the song’s final chords as the voices of a packed-out New Cross Inn drowned him out.

For all the chaos that has surrounded his career, Doherty’s ability to command a room remains unchanged. His between-song chatter was as loose and meandering as ever, slipping between self-deprecating jokes, surreal observations, and heartfelt gratitude for the fans who had packed out the venue. At one point, he reminisced about the early days of The Libertines, recalling how they used to play venues just like this, often to half-empty rooms—last night was a reminder of how far he’s come, and how much his music still means to people.

There were moments of unpredictability, as you’d expect from a Pete Doherty gig. Strings broke, lyrics were occasionally forgotten, and at one point, he playfully teased the crowd about an encore before launching into Music When the Lights Go Out—one of the night’s many highlights.

By the time the final song rang out, there was a collective sense that this had been something special. These small, sweat-drenched gigs are where Doherty thrives, and the Anywhere in Albion tour is proving to be a triumphant return to the kind of spaces that first made him a star.

In an era where stadium gigs and polished, corporate festivals dominate, Pete Doherty’s decision to play in these venues feels refreshing—a reminder of what live music is supposed to feel like. And for those who squeezed into the New Cross Inn last night, it was an unforgettable experience.

The remaining dates of Anywhere In Albion Tour are completely sold out, but you can still see Pete throughout the years on his own and with The Libertines – FULL DATES

Pre-order ‘FELT BETTER ALIVE’ out 16th May via Strap Originals HERE

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Miles

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