More about: The Libertines
Libertines star talks exclusively about plans for the future at the Ivor Novellos
Carl Barat has spoken out about what to expect at the Libertines' upcoming reunion show at London's Hyde Park - but said that he has made few plans for new material in case they 'go disastrously wrong'.
Watch our video interview with Carl Barat above
The band had previously suggested that they were hoping to have new songs to play to fans at the huge reunion gig at British Summer Time, but speaking to Gigwise backstage at the Ivor Novello Awards in London today (Thursday 22 May, 2014), Barat said they were very much playing it by ear.
"Well, we'll see," he replied. "I try not to make plans where The Libertines are concerned because usually it goes disastrously wrong, but we're meeting up to get together and whatever happens, happens.
"I don't really want to lay a bunch of new songs on people at that kind of event anyway, people wanna' sing along so maybe a few old ones - we'll see."
When asked if he had a separate process from writing new material for Libertines to that of his new solo project The Jackals, Barat said that he writes "just what I feel at the time, when I'm writing it."
The Libertines will be performing a headline set at British Summertime Hyde Park, London on 5 July, where they'll be joined by Graham Coxon, The Pogues, Spiritualized, Maximo Park, Wolf Alice, and Swim Deep. There'll also be appearances from The Enemy, Reverend and the Makers, I Am Kloot, The Twang, Darlia, Cuckoolander, The View, Brownbear, Raglans and The Rifles.
For more information and tickets, visit Gigwise Tickets.
Below - The many highs and lows of The Libertines' career:
1997: Pete Doherty and Carl Barat meet through Pete's older sister, Amy-Jo, who Barat shares a flat with in Richmond. The pair bond over their passion for songwriting, move to Camden, and form a band. Initially calling themselves The Strand, they rename themselves The Libertines.
December 2001: Doherty and Barat, alongside drummer Gary Powell and bassist John Hassall, are signed to Rough Trade Records. Barat and Doherty move into a flat in Bethnal Green, which hosts many of their infamous guerrilla gigs.
June 2002: The Libertines release their first single, double A side 'What A Waster'/'I Get Along'. The controversial 'What A Waster', packed full of swear words, receives barely any radio play, but a censored version is chosen by Radio 1's Mark and Lard as single of the week. 'What A Waster' charts at No 37.
October 2002: The band's popularity rises, and they release their debut album Up the Bracket - which receives widespread critical acclaim. It charts at No 35. They win Best New Band at the NME Awards.
May 2003: Barat and Doherty's relationship deteriorates as Doherty spirals into drug addiction. The pair travel to New York, where they record songs that later would become known as The Babyshambles Sessions, but Barat quits the sessions early, sick of the people Doherty is surrounding himself with and the extent of his drug abuse.
August 2003: The rising tensions between Doherty and Barat, detailed in their hit single 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun', come to a fever pitch when Doherty organises a special birthday gig for Barat. Barat fails to turn up, Doherty feels betrayed, and burgles Barat's flat. He later pleads guilty and is sentenced to six months in prison (later reduced to two). Meanwhile, 'Don't Look Back In The Sun' charts at No 11 - their biggest hit yet.
October 2003: Barat meets Doherty at the prison gates as soon as he's released, and the pair perform an emotional reunion gig at a pub in Kent, joined by Hassall and Powell. It's later named NME's Gig of the Year. The end of 2003 is filled with successful shows, including a sold-out run at London's Forum. The band continue to tour until May 2004, and everything seems relatively back on track.
April 2004: Pete releases his first solo single, 'For Lovers', a collaboration with his friend and poet Wolfman. It charts at No 7, four places higher than The Libertines' most successful release. Barat plays guitar for the B-side, 'Back From The Dead', despite his disapproval of Wolfman, who is also a heavy drug user.
May 2004: Tensions escalate again during the recording of The Libertines' second album, with security hired during studio sessions to keep Barat and Doherty from fighting. Doherty's battle with drug abuse continues. He quits the studio sessions early and admits himself into rehab. He leaves early, then returns a week later.
August 2004: With Doherty out of the band until he's clean, The Libertines release 'Can't Stand Me Now' which chronicles the breakdown of Barat and Doherty's friendship. It charts at No 2. Their second, self-titled album follows, and tops the album charts. The now-iconic cover features Barat and Doherty showing off their matching 'Libertine' tattoos.
December 2004: The Libertines play what will be their final show, in Paris - without Doherty. Barat decides to bring the band to an end, reluctant to continue performing under the name The Libertines without Doherty.
November 2005: No longer in contact with Barat, Doherty releases his first album with his project Babyshambles. Down in Albion charts at No 10, receiving lukewarm reviews from critics. It causes controversy for the inclusion of The Libertines fan favourite 'Albion'. On 'La Belle et La Bete', Doherty collaborates with his then-girlfriend Kate Moss. Their high-profile relationship made Doherty tabloid fodder.
May 2006: Alongside his new band Dirty Pretty Things, which features former Libertines drummer Gary Powell, Barat releases Waterloo To Anywhere. It receives critical acclaim, and charts at No 3.
October 2007: After signing a deal with Parlophone, Babyshambles release their second album Shotter's Nation. It charts at No 5 and spawns singles 'Delivery' and 'You Talk'. The band embark on their first arena tour in November. Meanwhile, Doherty's drug abuse continues very publicly, with several newspapers publishing photos of him appearing to make his cat smoke from a crack pipe.
October 2008: Dirty Pretty Things announce their split after the poor performance of their second album Romance at Short Notice, which spends just one week in the album chart. They play their last gig in December.
March 2009: Pete (now Peter) Doherty releases his debut solo album, Grace/Wastelands. It receives critical acclaim, although it only charts at No 17. Three months later, Doherty is arrested for driving under the influence and heroin possession. He is released on a £50,000 bail.
March 2010: The Libertines announce they will be reuniting to perform at Reading and Leeds festivals at a press conference, which turns into a guerrilla gig. The band perform 2 shows at the HMV Forum before taking to the stage at Reading's Little John Farm and Leeds' Bramham Park.
April 2014: After four years of contradictory statements, Barat and Doherty both indicate they will play a reunion show at Hyde Park on July 5 2014. It's yet to be officially confirmed, but watch this space.
More about: The Libertines
