If Pete Doherty is a thing of the past, then Peter Doherty certainly isn’t. There are those who’d have you believe that his wayward lifestyle and seeming inability to hold a band together renders him washed up. What this stripped down set at the Cambridge Junction proved is that this is far from the truth. In stark contrast with the bland support act, Alan Wass of Lipstick Melodies, Doherty reminded his crowd of his talent, a talent that transcends the hedonistic guitar renaissance of which he was a part, nine years ago.

Doherty opened strongly, with some of the more iconic Libertines material, namely ‘What A Waster’ and ‘Don’t Look Back Into The Sun’, sending the crowd into a kind of euphoric nostalgia trip, with moshing and all. His solo material, dominating the middle section of the set, perhaps had a less tangible effect on the crowd and the atmosphere, despite being more lyrically intricate. For example, ‘Last of the English Roses’, say, would be better suited to a more intimate setting.

Nevertheless, to resort to a hideous cliché, Doherty hit all the right notes. The simple acoustic set highlighted rather than detracted from his natural charisma. For those who wanted a hint of the decadence of old, the patriotic Libertine could still be seen in the swigging of rum and frivolous addition of ballet dancers either side of him. What was most refreshing was the lack of ego present. The finale of ‘Albion’, demanded by a chanting crowd, was exceptional, as Doherty surrendered the spotlight to a drunken harmonica-wielding friend and a man from the crowd playing a pipe.

If the show didn’t quite reach the giddy heights of the Libertines’ reunion at Reading last year, it was a validation of Doherty’s talent, influence and fascinating stage presence.