Guide
Top 10 Greatest Songwriters Of All Time
Twenty years after Pete Doherty formed Babyshambles from the wreckage of his Libertines departure, the band announces their most significant comeback yet: a 2025 reunion tour that finds all surviving members sober, stable, and ready to reclaim their legacy. The ten date UK tour marks not just a return to the stage after eleven years of silence, but a full circle moment for one of British indie rock’s most turbulent and influential acts.
The timing is poignant. Why? Because 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album “Down in Albion,” while the recent death of original guitarist Patrick Walden in June 2025 has provided the emotional catalyst that finally brought the remaining members back together. For Doherty, who has been clean from heroin and crack cocaine since December 2019 and now lives quietly in Normandy with his wife and children, this represents unfinished business with both his musical legacy and the devoted fanbase who never stopped believing.
The story of Babyshambles begins with destruction. In mid-2003, Pete Doherty found himself banned from performing with The Libertines due to his escalating substance abuse problems, watching helplessly as his creative partnership with Carl Barât dissolved into mutual accusations and bitter disappointment. Rather than retreat, Doherty channeled his frustration into forming an alternative project—initially planning to call it “T’Libertines” due to the Yorkshire connections of his early recruits. The band’s name “Babyshambles” came from nicknames given to Doherty (“Babyshambles”) and Barât (“Papashingles”) by DJ duo Queens of Noize, but it perfectly captured the controlled chaos that would define the group’s entire existence.
The early days were marked by false starts and legal drama. Their first scheduled gig was cancelled when Doherty was arrested for burgling Carl Barât’s flat in July 2003, stealing items including an antique guitar and NME Award in what he later described as a desperate attempt to get his former bandmate’s attention. After serving two months in prison, Doherty briefly rejoined The Libertines before being cast out again in 2004, this time permanently. It was then that Babyshambles truly came alive, with the stabilized lineup of Doherty, lead guitarist Patrick Walden, drummer Gemma Clarke, and bassist Drew McConnell coalescing around a shared vision of raw, literary-influenced indie rock.
Building momentum through musical excellence
Their breakthrough came with remarkable speed once the pieces fell into place. The April 2004 single “Babyshambles,” limited to just 3,000 copies, established their underground credibility, but it was “Killamangiro” reaching number eight in the UK charts in November 2004 that announced Babyshambles as a legitimate commercial force. The song showcased Doherty’s gift for combining punk energy with poetic lyricism, while Walden’s guitar work provided the melodic foundation that elevated the band beyond mere chaos.
Their musical development across three studio albums reveals a band constantly evolving despite external pressures. “Down in Albion” (2005), produced by The Clash’s Mick Jones, captured their early raw energy with standout tracks like “Fuck Forever” (which reached number four) and the haunting “Albion”: a song that began as an unfinished Libertines demo but became Babyshambles’ most emotionally resonant statement. The album’s lo fi aesthetic and literary references to figures like Albert Camus and Joris Karl Huysmans established Doherty’s romantic vision of “Albion”: a mythologized England that existed somewhere between reality and dreams.
“Shotter’s Nation” (2007) marked their commercial peak, reaching number five in the UK and showcasing a more polished sound under producer Stephen Street’s guidance. The album benefited from the band’s only period of genuine stability, with “Delivery” becoming their highest-charting single at number six and tracks like “Lost Art of Murder” featuring folk legend Bert Jansch demonstrating their expanding musical palette. Critics praised the album’s “supernaturally bright guitars, walloping drums, and upfront bass,” comparing it favorably to Elvis Costello’s punchy swagger.
The eight-year gap until “Sequel to the Prequel” (2013) reflected the band’s ongoing struggles with Doherty’s addiction and lineup instability. By the time of its release, bassist Drew McConnell had become heavily involved in songwriting, creating a more collaborative approach that incorporated country, folk, and ska influences. The album served as both a mature artistic statement and, unknowingly, a farewell to their regular activity as a band.
The darkest chapters and human cost
Behind the musical achievements lay a darker story of addiction, legal troubles, and human casualties that nearly destroyed everything Doherty had built. The controversies began early and never truly stopped. Gemma Clarke, the band’s original drummer, quit in January 2005 after witnessing a fan riot at London’s Astoria when Doherty failed to appear entirely, with 150-200 frustrated fans invading the stage and destroying her drum kit. Her resignation letter explicitly cited management’s failure to address Doherty’s drug problems: “I will not continue to work under the management that you have chosen for the band.”
The departure pattern became depressingly familiar. Patrick Walden, the band’s co-songwriter and creative foil, left in February 2006 after describing the band environment as “a circus” filled with “so many snakes.” He’d grown tired of finding people photographing Kate Moss doing cocaine in recording studios and watching Doherty’s addiction overshadow their musical achievements. Walden’s death in June 2025 at age 46 brought a devastating end to any hopes of the original lineup reuniting.
The most serious controversy remains the December 2006 death of actor Mark Blanco, who fell from a first floor balcony at a party attended by Doherty. The 30 year old had come to invite Doherty to watch his play “Accidental Death of an Anarchist”: eerily about a man falling to his death.
But after an altercation, was ejected from the flat only to return and fall 56 seconds later. CCTV footage shows Doherty, his girlfriend, and bodyguard leaving and stepping over Blanco’s body. Despite a 2012 BBC investigation suggesting Blanco was “dropped” rather than jumping, and renewed scrutiny from a 2023 Channel 4 documentary, no charges have ever been filed. The case continues to cast a shadow over Doherty’s legacy.
Throughout this period, Doherty’s legal troubles spanned multiple countries: arrests for drug possession in Britain, Norway, and France; dangerous driving while drunk; assaulting film crews; and working as both a drug dealer and sex worker to fund his addiction. His rap sheet includes sentences totaling several years across various violations, with rehabilitation attempts failing repeatedly until his breakthrough recovery beginning in 2014.
Cultural impact beyond the tabloids
Despite the chaos, Babyshambles achieved something remarkable: they helped bridge the gap between post-Britpop malaise and the mid-2000s indie rock revival while maintaining both critical respect and underground credibility. Their influence extended far beyond their chart positions or tabloid headlines. They supported emerging bands like The Paddingtons and The View, helped establish Reading & Leeds’ NME stages as tastemaker platforms, and demonstrated how literary influences could be successfully incorporated into punk-influenced indie rock.
The band’s concept of “Albion”: Doherty’s romantic, mythologized vision of England: provided a cultural touchstone for a generation of young Britons navigating post millennium uncertainty. Their low fi aesthetic and guerrilla gig philosophy influenced countless indie bands, while their willingness to address addiction and mental health issues openly contributed to important industry conversations that continue today.
Musically, they proved that chaos and control could coexist productively. Their work with producers like Mick Jones connected punk heritage to modern indie sensibilities, while their incorporation of reggae, ska, folk, and cabaret elements expanded the sonic palette available to British rock bands. The vinyl reissues of their albums remain highly sought-after collector’s items, testament to their enduring influence on music culture.
Recovery, redemption, and reunion
The transformation of Pete Doherty from chaotic addict to stable family man living quietly in France represents one of rock music’s most remarkable recovery stories. The turning point came through his relationship with filmmaker Katia de Vidas, who documented his journey in “Stranger in My Own Skin.” Their partnership provided the emotional support necessary for sustained recovery, culminating in their 2021 marriage and the birth of their daughter Billy May in 2023.
Since December 2019, Doherty has remained clean from heroin and crack cocaine, trading the chaos of London’s music scene for domesticity in Normandy. His current lifestyle: managing Type 2 diabetes, wearing orthopaedic shoes, and focusing on fatherhood contrasts starkly with his tabloid reputation, yet this stability has enabled both continued creativity with The Libertines and now, the possibility of a meaningful Babyshambles reunion.
The path to reunion began gradually with partial performances in August 2024 and March 2025, where Doherty was joined on stage by Drew McConnell and Adam Ficek for impromptu Babyshambles sets. The positive response encouraged further exploration, but it was Patrick Walden’s death in June 2025 that provided the emotional urgency needed for a definitive commitment. As Drew McConnell explained: “The death of Patrick made us determined that we have to tour now.”
The 2025 comeback and future possibilities
The announced ten-date UK reunion tour for November and December 2025 represents far more than nostalgia. With venues including the iconic O2 Academy Brixton and major cities across Britain, the tour celebrates both the 20th anniversary of “Down in Albion” and offers the first opportunity in over a decade to experience Babyshambles with all surviving members sober and focused. The current lineup features Doherty, longtime bassist Drew McConnell, drummer Adam Ficek, and guitarist Mick Whitnall, who replaced Walden permanently after 2006.
Early setlists from their 2025 reunion performances have mixed classic Babyshambles hits like “Killamangiro,” “Albion,” and “Back From The Dead” with select Libertines tracks, suggesting a celebration of Doherty’s entire creative legacy. Fan reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with pre-sale tickets generating significant demand and social media buzzing with excitement about seeing the band perform again.
Doherty has hinted at new material, describing recently written song “Dandy Hooligan” as “a ‘Stone Me What A Life’ sort of Shambles, rocksteady jig” and claiming he has “a couple of belters that have come out of nowhere like gifts from gods.” While no definitive album plans exist, the band’s return to active collaboration suggests possibilities for future recordings if the reunion proves successful.
The legacy endures
The story of Babyshambles encompasses triumph and tragedy, addiction and recovery, chaos and redemption in equal measure. Their influence on British indie rock extends far beyond their commercial success, establishing them as crucial links between punk authenticity and literary depth, between underground credibility and mainstream appeal. They proved that imperfection could be beautiful, that vulnerability could be powerful, and that great art often emerges from the most unlikely circumstances.
As they prepare for their 2025 return, Babyshambles carry the weight of their complex history while offering hope for redemption. Pete Doherty’s journey from self-destructive addict to stable family man demonstrates that recovery is possible even in the most desperate circumstances. For the surviving band members, this reunion represents both a celebration of their artistic achievements and a chance to honor Patrick Walden’s memory while proving that their best music might still lie ahead.
The tale of Babyshambles remains unfinished, but their legacy as one of Britain’s most important and influential indie rock bands is already secure. Whether this reunion marks a brief nostalgic return or the beginning of a new creative chapter, their impact on British music culture will endure for generations to come.
Sources For Top 10 Greatest Songwriters Of All Time
- Babyshambles – Wikipedia
- Pete Doherty Pays Tribute to Late Babyshambles Guitarist Patrick Walden – Billboard
- Babyshambles announce 2025 UK reunion tour to celebrate 20 years of Down in Albion – Radio X
- Babyshambles reunite for 2025 UK tour: ‘It’s unfinished business’ – Rolling Stone UK
- Pete Doherty – Wikipedia
- Pete Doherty says his wife convinced him to get sober – RTÉ
- Pete Doherty says Babyshambles 2025 reunion is “on the cards” – NME
- Babyshambles tell us about reuniting for UK tour: “We have to do this now” – NME
- Pete Doherty on how sobriety has changed him: “I’m less temperamental” – NME
- A Death at a Pete Doherty Party Is Still Unexplained – VICE
- The Story Behind Babyshambles’ “Albion”: A Poetic Vision of England – Beyond the Grooves
- Pete Doherty and Babyshambles: An Onstage Reunion Sparks Hopes for a Revival – Vinyl Me, Please
- Babyshambles news archives – Official Website
- Babyshambles the band – Official Website
He discovered the gem when he was 12 years old and still has it now, claiming it to be why he fell in love with music. He likes to play disc golf when he's not writing about music. He is a one-of-a-kind individual who is always the first to bust out his air guitar on the dance-floor.
- Babyshambles And Their Whirlwind Career - September 1, 2025
- Caramel Review – Conan Gray: Pop’s Brightest Newcomer - August 18, 2025
- Top 10 Greatest Songwriters Of All Time - August 12, 2025