Above: Peter Doherty on-stage in The Academy, Dublin
From a sporting perspective Villa Park may have been the place to be on Wednesday night for a cracker of a game, but this side of the Irish Sea played host to a very different, but nonetheless very entertaining, kind of cracker in the form of ex-Libertine, solo star Pete Peter Doherty. The Babyshambles front-man was in Dublin's fair city this week for a good old fashioned sing-song at Ireland's trendiest new venue the Academy.
But I have to confess that I have greater knowledge of what Doherty puts up his nose than what he sings into his microphone. He even managed to grab the headlines for all the wrong reasons lately when the tabloids favourite car-crash celebrity (next to former girlfriend Kate Moss) was originally due to kick-off his 'Irish Tour' of Belfast, Dublin and Galway in October last year. Rather controversially it had to be cancelled after he was hospitalised the night before suffering from 'breathing difficulties'.
On Wednesday night however, it was his adoring fans who were the one's left 'breathless' as Pete (sorry, Peter) Doherty tore the place to shreds with some rip-roaring tunes. Indeed, I say tearing to shreds in the musical sense of course. However, once it came to light that former Pogues front-man - or is that mad-man? - Shane Magowan (see here) had entered the building there was the distinct possiblility that the Academy would literally crumble in his wake.
One unashamed bottle of vodka in hand, Magowan did indeed do what we had all feared as staff members - he hooked up with Doherty back-stage after the gig. Surely all we were missing would be an impromptu appearance from Amy Winehouse. But alas, Pete would have to make-do with Shane and vice-versa. It would put you in mind of the young prodigy taking tips off his uglier older and waster wiser master. Pete, you are in the best of hands.
So, with groupies in-tact both musicians departed at midnight respectibly - just 90 minutes after the gig itself. However, I would seriously doubt Pete and Shane's night ended there. After all, these guys had a reputation to uphold! My thoughts go out to the poor bastard who had to clean the dressing room afterwards.
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*Poleaxed: definition - paraletic, blootered, really really really drunk, post steaming, blitzed, shit-faced, shane magowan.
