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The Libertines announce gig at The Oval bandstand in Cliftonville and after-party at the Albion Rooms

The Libertines will perform a small-scale outdoor gig in Thanet this week.

Tickets for the show at The Oval bandstand in Cliftonville went on sale after the event was announced earlier today.

Pete Doherty and Carl Barat of The Libertines performing at Rochester Castle. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Pete Doherty and Carl Barat of The Libertines performing at Rochester Castle. Picture: Barry Goodwin

The band, who own the Albion Rooms hotel overlooking the bandstand and sponsor local football club Margate, will play at 4pm on Wednesday before an exclusive after-party at the hotel.

Stephen Darrer, director at the Gordon Road Area Street Scheme (Grass) in Cliftonville, said: "We are delighted to host our friends The Libertines for this exclusive performance at The Oval Bandstand and Lawns.

"The Libertines have been great supporters of our projects here at The Oval from day one and we are delighted that they continue to support us with this fantastic event."

Grass took over the freehold of the bandstand site from Thanet District Council last year, with the aim of using the space for live music and other community events.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Libertines' breakthrough album, Up the Bracket, which propelled the four-piece to fame at the forefront of an indie revival centred on a chaotic scene in East London.

Pete Doherty doffed his hat outside court after being banned from driving
Pete Doherty doffed his hat outside court after being banned from driving

Pete Doherty, who along with bandmate Carl Barât formed the creative fulcrum of the band, has documented his turbulent rock 'n' roll years - including much time spent in Thanet - in a recent autobiography.

At one stage he was forced to live in a storage container in Ramsgate after being booted out of the Albion Rooms, compensating the owner with pricey pieces of art.

One of his brushes with the law saw him banned from driving for riding an e-scooter in Margate - a place he says will "never be gentrified".

In the book he also tells of "desperate times" in the seaside town, and shares with readers some more light-hearted anecdotes, including the time he famously conquered a gut-busting breakfast challenge at a Cliftonville cafe.

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