THE LIBERTINES showed once again why they are one of the biggest bands in Britain when they played Bournemouth.

Brilliant apart and outstanding together, frontmen Pete Doherty and Carl Barat were completely captivating on the huge BIC stage during their first ever arena tour.

With bandmates bassist John Hassall and drummer Gary Powell, they kicked off with the highly mod influenced Barbarian from their latest album Anthems for Doomed Youth before a storming version of another new one, Heart of the Matter.

A vast screen dominated the backdrop with vivid flashing images of legendary British icons from Tony Hancock to Michael Caine mashed up with live shots of the band.

The pictures and sound accompanied another impressive BIC light show as the band played beneath a giant illuminated overhead sign of their famous Libertines logo.

There were plenty of classics like Time for Heroes and the band’s biggest ever single Can’t Stand Me Now. By now the dancing crowd were almost spilling out into the foyer and some fans were even up on their seats in the top balconies.

Earlier The Sherlocks, one of the most exciting unsigned band in Britain, opened with a stunning half hour set of seven songs of what frontman Kiaran Crook called their ‘greatest hits’ for fans of the band.

Kiaran, Brandon, Josh and Andy drew a big early crowd away from the popular BIC bars with a tight performance including their outstanding latest single Last Night which is available now for pre-order on ITunes. The hotly-tipped Sheffield band headline at The Joiners in Southampton this Thursday.

A fantastic but all too short set from festival favourites The Enemy saw Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts race through a selection of hits including the brilliant We’ll Live and Die in These Towns and songs from their latest album It’s Automatic. The Midland trio are still a band to be reckoned with.

The headliners’ encore wrapped a tremendous evening with an explosive performance of Up the Bracket and Don’t Look Back into the Sun creating another frenzy across the hall.

The Libertines first played the south coast at The Joiners during their breakthrough year of 2002. There’s been some ups and downs since then, but with their first ever arena tour and a terrific third album, they are still at the top of their game. No one needs to ask what became of these likely lads.

Anthems for Doomed Youth by The Libertines is out now.

The Sherlocks headline The Joiners on St Mary Street, Southampton on Thursday 4 February. Tickets £7 at joiners.vticket.co.uk. More at thesherlocksmusic.co.uk.

By Richard Derbyshire.