LIVE FROM THE HAIRY DOG DERBY

Ahead of the release of their first album in eight years “All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade” (due for release 8th March); four piece rockers The Libertines set sail on their intimate “Albionay” tour.

The idea of the small venues “Albionay” tour by the band was to reconnect and reacquaint themselves with their fans in the sort of clubs they started out in. Carl Barat commented that he wanted to be able to see the whites of the fan’s eyes in the crowd.

When they went on sale, tickets to the small venues tour sold out across the country in mere seconds.

Last Sunday night saw legendary four-piece band, consisting of Peter Doherty, Carl Barat, John Hassell and Gary Powell, call in at ‘The Hairy Dog’ in Derby as part of the ongoing tour.

The Libertines were supported on the night by Peter’s Strap Originals Label signees, Vona Vella and young Derby based band, The 76 Club.

The 76 Club are a five-piece alternative rock band formed in 2022. They combine ethereal guitar tones with punchy, bass-ridden choruses and the group are certainly not afraid to demonstrate their various individual influences. Named ‘The 76 Club’, the group pay homage to the infamous club in their hometown, that was a prominent point of inspiration for the band in its formative stages.

Follow The 76 Club  Facebook // Instagram

Vona Vella were on next on the bill and base their sound on the dual vocals of Izzy Davis and Dan Cunningham.

The band were formed in Autumn 2020 and released their first single, ‘Sun’ (mixed by Ross Godfrey from Morcheeba). Once released it proved an instant viral hit, racking up over 1 million streams worldwide. Vona Vella released their debut EP ‘Go Outside Forever,’ in early 2022, which caught the adoration of Paul Heaton and in January of this year a remix of the title track from the EP, ’Go Outside Forever,’ was featured in the hugely successful NBA2K23 video game. The single came to the attention of Peter Doherty who immediately fell in love with their glorious harmonising vocals and signed them up to his Strap Originals record label.

Following a string of live dates across the UK including headline shows at the Windmill, The Great Escape and a support tour with Peter Doherty, the band have impressed audiences and industry alike, picking up support from 6Music, Matt Wilkinson and Radio X, who added their track “Divine” to their new music playlist. Bringing a young band living their dream to the forefront of their sound.

Follow Vona Vella Facebook // X // Instagram

Finally it’s time for the main event and The Libertines take to the stage and launch straight into ‘Up The Bracket’ followed immediately there after by ‘Vertigo’.

Next up and new single ‘Run Run Run’ proves a hit showing that the lads have still got what it takes to produce relevant music to adoring fans.

Other new releases ‘Night of the Hunter’ and ‘Shiver’ are as welcomed and gratefully received as any of the old classics.

The lads haven’t forgotten what made them however and give passionate and lively renditions of their classic hits ‘Music When The Lights Go Out’ ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ ‘Time for Heroes’, ‘Gunga Din’, ‘The Good Old Days’ and ‘Don’t Look Back into the Sun’ – the last of which evokes an exuberant fan stage invasion!

Once matters are contained and calmed down, the band exit the stage to rapturous and rousing applause and it’s clear proof that these intimate tour shows are something pretty special indeed!

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📸 Matt Jefferson