Babyshambles' First UK Arena Show Comes Under Fire

It's described as 'lacklustre'...

by Scott Colothan
Friday, November 23, 2007
Photo by: Shirlaine Forrest
filed in: Punk

Babyshambles' First UK Arena Show Comes Under Fire

More Babyshambles

The opening night of Babyshambles’ arena tour in Manchester last night has received a lacklustre response from critics.

Pete Doherty and co. arrived onstage at the MEN Arena to the theme of the Steptoe & Son TV show only to be greeted with a sparsely packed venue. Tickets sales for the arena tour have been slow across the land and this seemingly confirms it.

CLICK HERE to see an exclusive gallery from the show.

The band balanced the set with songs from both of their albums – ‘Down In Albion’ and ‘Shotter’s Nation’ - but opted not to play any re-workings of Libertines songs.

Despite a fervent response from those in attendance, the enthusiasm of the band has been criticised.

The Manchester Evening News Arena’s own website described it as “lacklustre” and summed up the gig by saying: “He (Pete Doherty) may be good value for Fleet Street hacks but he doesn’t certainly doesn’t give good value for money.”

Were you at the show last night? If you agree or disagree with this view, then post your comments below.

« Prev

Jay-Z: Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' Is Genius... Next »

(10)

It was very average. I thought they were meant to be a big band too, but there were loads of empty seats
~ by mark 11/23/2007
He was probably smacked up to his eyeballs too
~ by Shells 11/23/2007
believe you me he was not on smack. Shells I take it you haven’t seen gigs where he really is off his face. big difference.
~ by tineldi 11/23/2007
Actually Pete seemed very sober last night and I thought Babyshambles were a hundred times better than I’ve seen them before. The only thing that lets them down is the army of idiots who claim to be ’fans’ but really just think its’s ’cool’ to idolise a drug addict. Pete needs to stay clean and hopefully the prats who just go to gigs to cause trouble can make way for real music fans!
~ by Tilly 11/23/2007
the media interest in pete doherty far outshines the real reason why he should be famous ....british press love to build someone up and knock them down they should concentrate on the music from babyshambles he is a genius with an addiction bring on the third album
~ by huddo 11/23/2007
I Watched them in the apollo in febuary and again last night and ive got to say WOW! of course every critic will continue to say nothing but bad things about pete and the band but from a fan point of view it was amazing. Reviews ain’t really going to stop us going are they?
~ by Danny 11/23/2007
It was an amazing night. And Pete *was* sober. I think it’s unfair to say critics have responded in a lackluster way when there has only been one review... It was darn great.
~ by Jack 11/23/2007
I strongly disagree - Babyshambles were fantastic last night. I’m sure your going to try and balls pete up again aren’t you? Bad reviews for every night of the tour - call yourself a reviewer? Your just a biased, typical English reporter.
~ by Hayes 11/23/2007
seeing them sunday cant wait at brighton...seen them before and im sure it will be a good night the less people the better!!
~ by caroline 11/23/2007
who supported them
~ by Jay 11/24/2007

Most Viewed
Most Comments
Just Added

Buy This...

BuyBabyshambles T Shirts now!All the latest designs available!
More Babyshambles articles »

Am I the only one that remembers that Beyonce was in Destiny's Child? And that she was never cool? @Gigwise & @NMEMagazine
VenusInfers on Wed Nov 25 20:46:05 via TwitterRide
Awful news RT @Gigwise: Reef To Reunite In 2010 For UK Tour: The band behind 'It's Your Letters'... http://bit.ly/6dXqoo
thejonford on Wed Nov 25 17:42:14 via Seesmic
RT @Gigwise: via @melissacarissa YAY! Reef To Reunite In 2010 For UK Tour: http://bit.ly/6dXqoo <-- Used to be great live..l'm there.
needlegroove on Wed Nov 25 17:23:03 via HootSuite
@achrisevans YAY! RT @gigwise Reef To Reunite In 2010 For UK Tour: The band behind 'It's Your Letters'... http://bit.ly/6dXqoo
melissacarissa on Wed Nov 25 17:11:18 via web
Paul Weller Announces Two Royal Albert Hall Shows For May 2010: Get your tickets through @Gigwise... http://bit.ly/51tCVf
icklepickle on Wed Nov 25 13:40:03 via web