The Libertines returned to Fuji Rock this year once again lacking Peter Doherty. Both years they have played with a substitute, due to Doherty's collision with who knows what demons. The story is well known, not just because of the ubiquitous rock press articles that report on the situtation but as well directly from the Libertines themselves. The Libertines tell it well enough in their own lyrics.

The story is appealing because of its Rock n Roll trajectory. The creative duo, the reckless mate, the Rock n Roll self-destruction. The Libertines were formed by the interplay of Carl Barat and Peter Doherty, the combined talents and disagreements of the two, that probably fueled its fresh, off-kilter looseness.

The lyrics easily tell that tale two years into the drama that trails the band. Songs that were new last year and could have been spoken to a range of recipients now all sound directed, accusations or regrets. If the debut is What A Waster, they're doing a good job of documenting the rise and fall.

"Could I have a round of applause for my friend Peter Doherty who couldn't be here today... well anyway" says Barat. He's disappointed but it ain't going to stop him. The band brakes into a new tune, refraining "Can't take you anywhere you won't go". The new songs are tough and aggressive without the casualness of last year.

Then they played in fierce determination with an ignored guitar tech, this year it is more as if they have commited to soldiering on anew. Barat introduces Anthony on rythmn and the band keeps going.

And if Doherty has taken himself out of the picture, he is now the absent foil. Directing the sound from a distance, rather than wrangling on stage.

These are the events that seem to change a band's direction. The music is punky and intense and misses some of its former nonchalance. The Libertines still give a mighty show, the music mirroring Doherty's long flirt with the edge of control, even if now that mirror reflects from afar. But it's definately phase 2.

 
And the band is interesting for its classic rock tale of creative force exploding into a vacuum with excess, for the self destruction that accompanies creative freedom and freedom from want.

They polish it off with a final burst,

I get along singing my song
People tell me I'm wrong
Fuck 'em

... as The Libertines continue their stutter step through the chaos.