Pete Doherty failed to turn up to yet another Babyshambles gig on Wednesday, this time scheduled at Underground in Stoke. The no-show occurred following his previously reported court appearance at Ealing Magistrate's Court, where, as he emerged from the building, Doherty was heard to mutter "I shouldn't be here, I'm supposed to be in Stoke for a gig".
A fan told NME.com: "When we got to the place, the atmosphere was electric, such a good place to see a gig! The supports came on and the atmosphere was really starting to build up. After fully expecting Babyshambles to be on at 10pm, it then went an hour before we heard anything at all, being told that he was 'in a car' and 'on his way'. Of course, knowing the man, we thought it was in typical Pete fashion that he was running late and that he would be there to tear the place up. [Band collaborator] The General then made an appearance. People's hopes then started to pick up again, with the rest of Babyshambles coming out with The General to play a few songs. After five minutes of the General leaving the stage, officials informed us of Pete's absence for the night."
It would seem, however, that the night went rather well for Babyshambles' support band The Holloways, who apparently performed a very well-received warm-up slot before it became clear that the headline act were missing a frontman. A few of the crowd suggested that The Holloways get back on stage and play some more, which the band did (somewhat apprehensively, by all accounts, fearful that the reaction from gig-goers might be a bit hostile) and subsequently went down a storm with the 'Shambles fans. The Holloways are more likely to turn up and play a gig than Babyshambles, so why not plan to catch them at the Xfm all-dayer on 21 Jan, or at one of their upcoming Club NME dates.