the libertines // gunnersbury park, london

The Libertines bring the party to Gunnersbury Park

★★★★☆ (4/5)

THE LIBERTINES PERFORMING AT LONDON’S GUNNERSBURY PARK
PHOTOCREDIT: MIKE MASSARO / HELLO CONTENT

The historical Gunnersbury Park has been the host of an array of musical events over the past few years, and 2025 has been no exception to adding multi-genre and family-friendly days out in West London. But for this weekend, it did not just host a gig, but a full-blown indie rock pilgrimage. Having The Libertines return back to their home turf for the festival performance felt like a final act in their decade-long love story with London, and what a better place than to do it with an eclectic lineup of support acts that primed the crowd for a day of punk chaos and tearful sign-alongs.

The Lambrini Girls are no strangers to festival chaos. Their stage presence feels like smashing a glitter piñata that has a grudge. Their performances are always filled with energy, wit and a ‘no-nonsense’ attitude that translates through their music and lyrics. Tearing through songs including not only their debut album but also later releases, they had the front row screaming and yelling back, making the festival grounds feel more like a riot and less like a gig. Their signature move is always singing into the crowd, whether that is amongst them or crowdsurfing on top of them, and their performance at Gunnersbury kept up the tradition, creating a joyfully defiant atmosphere.

Just before 4pm, Hak Barker hit the stage to change the temperature and vibe of the stage entirely, with his music being equal parts folk, raggae sway and poetic. Hak Barker relies on storytelling more than witty energy, feeling like you went to the pub with a mate for a chat over a pint and his music in the background. In a festival that started off with noise, his reflective lyrics felt like confessions, giving the people space to let the lyrics sink in. Safe to say, the energy in the crowd did not back down, as people swayed to the music and had their senses hooked.

But the calm before a storm does not last that long, as Soft Play jumped on stage like a bomb detonator. Bringing back the raw punk energy, they had beer flying and people moshing as if the moments of contemplation during the previous set expired in the air. Their music was loud and energetic and their performance was filled with jumps, sweat, kissing, thrill and flags for Palestine. Even though the set felt like it went by in a heartbeat, it left me with the ‘what just happened’ thought, the one where you feel like you have just experienced a moment that will stay in memory. Definitely one of the highlights of the day, and a band that should probably perform in more festivals in the UK.

Supergrass, the final act before the big headliner, had amassed a very large crowd before they even got on stage. As they took the reins, the park was now in full golden-hour, making the perfect setting for the slightly more mellow and introspective music. Supergrass are a band that can effortlessly mix nostalgia with fun, as the crowd’s energy did not waver at all – instead, it matured into pure festival joy. For those who missed out on Oasis, Supergrass brought the Britpop spirit to Gunnersbury and had the crowd singing along in a choir-like collective body.

And then – finally – the moment. The Libertines came onstage to a deafening applause and welcome, in blue and red lights that made their silhouettes sharp and otherworldly. Their set was razor-sharp, spanning across their whole discography. Opening up with ‘Up The Bracket’, the harmonic voices and dancing completely transformed the energy in the park. The setlist was an excellent curation of songs, from ‘What Became of the Likely Lads’, to ‘Boys in the Band’ to ‘What Katie Did’. After a masterclass in drum soloing and a little snippet of ‘West End Girls’ by The Pet Shop Boys, The Libertines’ set became more of a celebration than a concert. The crowd erupted when ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ came on, every lyric echoing across the audience. Closing off with an encore of the most loved songs – ‘Man With the Melody’, ‘Songs They Never Play On the Radio’ and finally ‘Don’t Look Back Into the Sun’, they mixed nostalgia and chaotic brilliance in a way only a band of this scale can.

Admittedly, the night was not perfect – but that is not the point. The Libertines showed that what mattered, for one summer night, was that they made Gunnersbury Park belong to the music and the thousands of fans who came to sing their lungs out to every single word against the London sunset.

REVIEW BY: CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI
PHOTO BY: MIKE MASSARO / HELLO CONTENT