I went to intimate Manchester gig at iconic grassroots venue and came out a Pete Doherty fan

To launch this year's Northenden Fringe Festival, the Wythenshawe venue hosted an intimate gig on Thursday night with the Libertines star as the headline act. Following its successful debut in 2023, the festival offers an alternative, community-focused musical experience over the August bank holiday at the same time as the huge shows from New Order and Blossoms at neighbouring Wythenshawe Park. 

Inside the grassroot venue it was how you expect your typical social club to be – a feeling of deja vu washed over me as these were the types of places my grandad insisted on taking us when we were younger. With a capacity of only 350 people, the atmosphere was full of chatty, laid back Mancs rather than the bustling anticipation and nerves of waiting for your favourite artist to finally appear on stage. 

The first act of the night was Evan Williams, who strutted out on stage in a Hot Wheels t-shirt under his suit jacket. His mature voice was alluring and managed to hush the talkative crowd – it was a great start to the night. Vona Vella was next up, their twin male/female vocals harmonised to create a dreamy set.

Jack Jones, frontman of the Welsh band Trampoline, was upbeat and animated with his impressive poetry-style lyricism. It was a shock to the system how much energy one man could have, but I have to admit, once he started chanting about his love for Poundland, I decided it would be a better use of my time to join the never-ending queue for the bar.

By the time I returned, Jones had brought his band member and the headline act Pete Doherty on stage for a joint act as ‘Peter Doherty and the Puta Madres’. The crowd got lively at the energy Jones and Pete made on stage with their duet of ‘Uncle Brian's Abattoir’ by Trampoline. 

After a five minute break, the 45-year-old guitarist brought out a surprise guest – the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham – who spoke out against the recent riots taking place across the UK and parts of Manchester. He reminded the Mancs in the crowd of the community spirit that makes us the city we are and to stand together which received mass support from everyone in the room.

With the crowd now inspired, the anticipated Libertines star took to the stage armed with his acoustic guitar and his cowboy hat. The crowd sang their hearts and the energy in the room shifted to whatever tune Pete gave us. Pete’s performance felt like picking up where you left off with an old friend – it was nostalgic and soul-soothing while simultaneously thrilling. 

Watching an indie rock legend play at a small but mighty venue was truly unbelievable and the atmosphere from the crowd couldn’t be topped by any gig I’ve experienced. Pete Doherty has the power to make a room of 350 people instantly feel like 3,500 at the strum of his fingers and I can’t wait for his next Manchester show.