THE Libertines who have embarked on their first ever arena tour will play an eagerly awaited gig in Bournemouth tonight.

Set to play the cavernous BIC Windsor Hall, this will be an interesting evening for those who have followed them from their more raw early days with all the highs and lows.

Frontman Pete Doherty, having overcome his drug addictions, and bandmates Carl, John and Gary are back with a vengeance having already successfully moved into playing music festivals across the globe.

Last year The Libertines headlined: the Reading & Leeds festivals, T In The Park as well as festivals across Europe in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, The Netherlands, Mexico and Hong Kong. They even made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury Festival.

The Likely Lads have had successes with many side projects over the years including their work in iconic British bands such as Babyshambles and Dirty Pretty Things.

But this year’s tour is what everyone has been waiting for with the reunion of one of the greatest British bands of the 21st century.

The tour follows the release of their highly acclaimed top 3 album Anthems For Doomed Youth last September when You’re My Waterloo was the third single, along with Gunga Din (Q Magazines ‘Track of the Year’) and Heart of The Matter, to be lifted from the album.

A short film made for You’re My Waterloo was co-directed by Roger Sargent and The Libertine's Carl Barât and starred Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory / The Spiderwick Chronicles) and Marama Corlett (The Goob / Sinbad / Desert Dancer). It told the story of two lovers, immersed in each other and the after dark London they inhabit.

It was filmed at night around Waterloo and Wapping.

Roger Sargent explained: “Carl was keen to show a glimpse of the London he and Peter knew before The Libertines, a kind of nocturnal nether world, beautiful, intense, romantic. We decided not to feature the band and to tell a story through the eyes of a fictional boy and a girl. It was a perfect opportunity to work with Carl, to make the story and the setting come alive. Working with Freddie and Marama was really exciting, Freddie is well known already and Marama is going to be a huge star. They ‘got’ the idea quickly and the dynamic of the slightly unhealthy codependent relationship. I wanted it to hold a mirror up to Peter and Carl’s relationship, but with more purity and beauty than is usually portrayed.”

After playing the BIC The Libertines complete their tour at London's 02 tomorrow night.

The Libertines are Peter Doherty – vocals/guitar, Carl Barât – vocals/guitar, John Hassall – bass guitar and Gary Powell– drums.

Support is from very special guests The Enemy and The Sherlocks

Tickets: Call BH Live Tickets on 0844 576 3000† or book online at www.bhlivetickets.co.uk. Groups10+ call 01202 451865.