Rock god or just a shambles?

(Morning Star, Saturday 22 April 2006)

LIVE: Babyshambles, Spring and Airbrake, Belfast

SINCE the inception of the rock'n'roll star, few candidates have so embodied the live fast, die young template as Pete Doherty.

The idea that all his waywardness could be close to an end is enough of a catalyst for the ambulance-chasing media to follow his every public utterance.

And the added intrigue of the off-on relationship with one of the world's most famous supermodels throws any music actually produced into stark relief for the former army brat.

On record, the Babyshambles sound lives right up to its name - as such, a live crowd cannot approach their shows with high expectations.

And yet, the clean, lean and healthy Doherty that bounds onstage this evening is a far cry from the tabloid whipping boy pissing his talent up the wall.

The form of Babyshambles gigs seems to be at the discretion of Albion's favourite son, but, after dodging last night's show in Dublin, Doherty seems in a positive mood, showing up on time, running through the hits and fucking off without incident.

The crowd, resplendent in tracksuits and hollering football chants between songs, are all well versed in the lyrics, singing along to Killamangiro and 32nd of December.

But even Doherty wanes sometimes. The promised anthemic Fuck Forever doesn't materialise in the encore and the assembled kids drift home despondent, let down by their hero. Rock'n'roll indeed.