PETER DOHERTY:

Peter Doherty needs no introduction, but here’s one anyway – as a
songwriter, a poet, actor, writer, artist and role model to Middle
England, he has toured the world as a solo artist and with his bands The
Libertines, Babyshambles and The Puta Madres. Always happiest when
holding a guitar or a pen, he remains a constantly challenging and
endlessly fascinating artist.
Pete Doherty was born in Hexham, Northumberland and formed The
Libertines in 1997 after a chance meeting with Carl Barât. The chemistry
between them created all manner of music, poetry and mayhem.
The Libertines signed to legendary independent label Rough Trade in
2001. After signing they moved to a flat in Bethnal Green, East London,
which they dubbed “The Albion Rooms” (a venue that became a location for
many of their early gigs).
The Libertines’ debut album, Up The Bracket, preceded by era-defining
singles What a Waster b/w Time For Heroes and title track Up The
Bracket, came in the autumn of 2002 and was produced by Mick Jones of
the band’s spiritual forebears The Clash.
As a touring outfit the band became one of the hardest working groups on
the planet playing hundreds of shows not just in the UK and Europe, but
also in Japan and the US.
The eponymous second album The Libertines, featuring two of the band’s
signature songs Can’t Stand Me Now and What Became of the Likely Lads,
went straight to No 1 on its release in 2004. Doherty also had time to
collaborate with local poet Wolfman on the single For Lovers, which
entered the UK Top 10 and was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award.
Doherty founded a new band Babyshambles in 2005, releasing their debut
album Down in Albion, the same year. The album featured three UK Top 10
singles – Killamangiro, Fuck Forever and Albion. In August 2006 Doherty
collaborated with Mike Skinner, of The Streets, to record a new version,
for single release, of “Prangin’ Out”.
In 2007 Babyshambles signed to Parlophone and released their second
album Shotter’s Nation which included the singles Delivery, You Talk and
Side of The Road. They went on to play their first arena tour, with
shows in Manchester, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Birmingham and London’s
Wembley Arena.
2007, Doherty published his journals, titled “The Books of Albion: The
Collected Writings of Peter Doherty.” Doherty also exhibited his art for
the first time at London’s “Bankrobber Gallery” and at the “Galerie
Chappe in Paris” (2008).
In July 2008, Doherty played a sold-out solo show at the prestigious
Royal Albert Hall, his biggest solo show to date, which was brought to
an abrupt end during the encore due to a stage invasion by fans.
2009 saw the release of Doherty’s first solo album Grace/Wastelands,
produced by Stephen Street (Morrissey/Blur – who also goes on to produce
Babyshambles 2nd and 3rd albums). The same year Doherty was made an
honorary patron of the University Philosophical Society at Trinity
College, Dublin.
August 2010 and the four members of The Libertines reunited to play a
series of shows, including Reading & Leeds Festivals.
2012 saw Doherty take on his first major acting role playing Octave, the
lead role alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg’s Brigitte in “Confession of a
Child of the Century.”
Babyshambles released their third studio album Sequel to the Prequel in
2013, with cover artwork by Damien Hirst.
In April 2014, The Libertines re-formed once again to headline a huge
show in London’s Hyde Park; the success of this event lead to more
shows, which sold out in record time.
In 2015 The Libertines signed a major record deal with Virgin/EMI. They
released their third studio album Anthems For Doomed Youth, which
entered the UK album chart at No.3 and the band toured the world playing
venues large and small and headlining festivals.
In March 2015, Doherty released a new solo single Flags of the Old
Regime with all proceeds going to The Amy Winehouse Foundation. In
December the following year he released his second solo album Hamburg
Demonstrations.
In 2019 Peter Doherty formed his new band The Puta Madres who released
their debut album Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres. During 2018/2019 they
play festivals and headline shows in the UK, South America and Europe
including two nights for the reopening of the Bataclan venue in Paris.
In 2020 Doherty and The Libertines branched out into the world of
hospitality when they opened “The Albion Rooms,” a beautiful new
hotel/studio, in Margate. Peter also sets up his own record label “Strap
Originals,” signing and releasing music from Trampolene, Vona Vella,
Andrew Cushin and Pregoblin so far.
2022, Doherty teamed up with French musician Frédéric Lo to release the
album The Fantasy Life Of Poetry & Crime, recorded in Étretat and Paris.
He also published his biography “A Likely Lad,” and ends the year with
shows with Frédéric Lo and The Libertines in Europe. A hugely successful
exhibition of his art, entitled “Contain Yourself (seriously),” is held
at the Janine Bean Gallery in Berlin.
During 2023 Doherty toured Europe solo and with The Libertines and
featured on the acclaimed BBC TV series ‘Louis Theroux Interviews…’ The
intimate biographical film ‘Stranger In My Own Skin’ directed by his
wife Katia deVidas opened across Europe and garnering many plaudits.
Peter also reconvened with The Libertines at the Albion Rooms Studio in
Margate to record their new album.
2024 The Libertines release their fourth album All Quiet On The Eastern
Esplanade which garnered great critical applause on its release and
entered the UK album charts at No. 1. Doherty continues to tour this
summer both solo and with the Libertines, before embarking on a sold out
26 date UK tour with The Libertines commencing September 22nd, which
includes three nights at the legendary Roundhouse in London (November
30/31 & December 1st).