Having not had the pleasure of seeing Babyshambles since 2005/6 in Cardiff when the country was at the height of 'The Cult Of Pete' and the press had a field day at the mere suggestion of a crack pipe or a piece of syringe art(!), I waited nervously for the band to take the stage wondering if Pete would actually turn up. 

Support band The Dash were decent enough with a sound that took from The Clash and early punk to the class of mid noughties such as Razorlight and The Libertines. As each minute went by it started to look like this may be the first date on the tour that Pete would miss but as it neared 10pm Babyshambles hit the stage running with a frantic 'Delivery'. 

Although the sound was not great (it never is at this venue), it was obvious the whole band was on top form. The addition of keys, violin and trombone on various songs gave a new twist to the bands guitar based indie rock. Pete sang well and when he picked up a guitar managed to steer clear of the bum note-athons he has been prone to in the past.

After a storming 'Pipedown' and 'Fuck Forever' they were gone but not before Pete sprayed the front few rows with champagne.

Whatever you may think of Pete Doherty, when he's onstage and on good form, he's one of the best.