The Libertines Announce Reading and Leeds Warm-Up Date

Despite a well-documented reticence for something as professional as a rehearsal, reformed urchin-rockers the Libertines have announced a one-off warm show ahead of their official reunion gigs at the Reading and Leeds festivals at the end of August.

The band is set to play the HMV Forum in London on Aug. 25 and tickets will only be available via a lottery system. Fans have until 6PM BST on Friday Aug. 13 to register at the band's official website to be in with a chance of being selected the following Monday to be able to buy tickets for the gig. The warm-up date will mark the first time the group has played a concert before a paying crowd since 2004.

The Libertines are said to be commanding a fee of £1.2 million ($1.8 million) for the two festival performances. Notoriously shambolic and barely on nodding terms with time-keeping, the Libertines will have a lot to prove at their two festival dates.

Despite the reunion, the Libertines have announced no further plans to play together after the festival and frontmen Pete Doherty and Carl Barat will be focusing on solo activity for the rest of the year.