Carl Barat was never going to have any easy weekend. The more distinguish Libertine has been considerably overshadowed by the exploits of his former band-mate in recent years, despite producing an album ten times better than Babyshambles debut effort.

 

But the good thing is, it really doesn’t seem to bother him at all. Dirty Pretty Things’ last major UK appearance was at Reading and Leeds last year where he performed only as singer due a broken arm and said afterwards that he felt naked on stage without a guitar. Now he is back, and fully plugged in. Dirty Pretty Things are not The Libertines and have never tried to be. Whereas Babyshambles is a vehicle for Doherty, DPT are a tight-knit unit, who really feel and perform like a cohesive band.

 

New tracks litter the opening half of the set, including the remarkably cute Come Closer. But it’s Blood Thirsty Bastards and a raging You Fucking Love It that really get things going. Soon The Enemy with its ever crazy ending has everyone rocking, only to be conquered by the charming Libertine-esque Gin and Milk.

 

But this is no trip down memory lane for anyone. Usual set-closer I Get Along is dropped in favour of the Doherty slating Bang Bang You’re Dead, which is lead by the second best trumpet solo of the weekend on the Pyramid Stage at least (only beaten by Kasabian’s incredible The Doberman). It seems Carl has made all the noise he needs to without saying a word. Dirty Pretty Things are a band with a long future ahead of them.