The Libertines Fail to Meet Expectations at Leeds Festival

The first of the Libertines' two highly anticipated reunion shows at Leeds and Reading festivals respectively was brought to a dramatic halt after just three songs on the Main Stage when the antics of over-excited fans caused a dangerous crush at the front of the crash barriers. Having left the stage momentarily, singer-guitarist Pete Doherty pleaded with fans to look out for each other before resuming the show.

Much like their brief and tumultuous career and recorded output, the Libertines' first official gig since 2004 (and discounting Wednesday's warm-up performance and Tuesday's public rehearsal) failed to deliver on its promise. With much of the band's reputation resting on their extra-curricular activities, their music -- when left alone in the spotlight -- stood revealed as largely tuneless and hideously shambolic.

When hitting their rare peaks -- 'Don't Look Back Into the Sun', 'Time for Heroes' and 'Can't Stand Me Now' -- the Libertines tantalisingly displayed the chops of a band that could have lived up to the hyperbole, but for the most part they sounded like an under-rehearsed amateur garage band.

Despite drawing a core of slavish supporters, the crowd for the Libertines had noticeably thinned in the time between Dizzee Rascal's earlier slot and their appearance. "Hardly surprising," one wag was overheard to say. "Dizzee's had hit singles!"