The Libertines have officially confirmed plans for their new album, ‘Anthems For A Doomed Youth’, and the news immediately had our minds wandering back to 2004, when Pete Doherty and Carl Barat’s band last released a record.
Despite their success, the ‘Time For Heroes’ creators didn’t exactly have it easy in the early noughties and after a number of public rows, failed rehab stints and jail time for Pete, Carl asked his bandmate to depart the group.
However, before things all went wrong (and even while they were on the decline), the duo provided plenty of wonderful moments, gigs in basements and raucous after parties.
The UK indie scene was booming, and the likes of Kasabian and Bloc Party were just starting out.
Here’s what the wonderful world of pop culture looked like when The Libertines’ second, self-titled, album came out…
In 2004... LISTICLE
Oasis headlined Glastonbury(01 of06)
Kasabian were tasked with opening the Other Stage at 11am, and other performers included The Chemical Brothers, The Subways and the Zutons. (credit:Jon Super via Getty Images)
James Bay was THIRTEEN years old. (02 of06)
*gulp* (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
The band faced their toughest times(03 of06)
Pete was asked to leave The Libertines, after failing to kick his drug addiction. He was also jailed for breaking into Carl's flat and later went on to form Babyshambles. (credit:Dave Hogan via Getty Images)
Mumford And Sons' debut album was 5 years away (04 of06)
'Sigh No More' didn't hit shelves until October 2009. (credit:Mark Holloway via Getty Images)
Marlon Brando died(05 of06)
The legendary actor died at the age of 80, on 1 July. (credit:Donaldson Collection via Getty Images)
50 Cent played at Reading Festival(06 of06)
Things didn't exactly go to plan for the rapper, and he was bottled off. Oh, and someone threw a deckchair at him too because Reading. (credit:Photoshot via Getty Images)
The Libertines' Glastonbury Performance
Glastonbury Festival 2015 - Day 1(01 of20)
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Carl Barat of The Libertines performs live on the Pyramid stage during the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images) (credit:Jim Dyson via Getty Images)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(02 of20)
Pete Doherty, left and Carl Barat of The Libertines perform on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(03 of20)
Pete Doherty, left and Carl Barat of The Libertines perform on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(04 of20)
Carl Barat and Pete Doherty of The Libertines arrive on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(05 of20)
Pete Doherty, left and Carl Barat of The Libertines perform on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(06 of20)
From left, Carl Barat, Pete Doherty and John Cory Hassall of The Libertines wave to fans as they arrive on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(07 of20)
Carl Barat of The Libertines performs on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(08 of20)
Pete Doherty, left, and Carl Barat of The Libertines perform on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(09 of20)
Pete Doherty of The Libertines performs on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(10 of20)
Pete Doherty, left and Carl Barat of The Libertines perform on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(11 of20)
Pete Doherty, left and Carl Barat of The Libertines perform on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(12 of20)
Pete Doherty of The Libertines performs on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Britain Glastonbury Day 3(13 of20)
Pete Doherty of The Libertines performs on the Pyramid stage during Glastonbury Music Festival on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Glastonbury Festival 2015 - Day 1(14 of20)
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: The Libertines performs at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Glastonbury Festival 2015 - Day 1(15 of20)
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: The Libertines performs at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/WireImage) (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Glastonbury Festival 2015 - Day 1(16 of20)
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: (L-R) Carl Barat, Pete Doherty and John Hassall of the Libertines perform as surprise act on the Pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Tabatha Fireman/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:Tabatha Fireman via Getty Images)
Glastonbury Festival 2015 - Day 1(17 of20)
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Carl Barat of The Libertines performs at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage) (credit:Shirlaine Forrest via Getty Images)
Glastonbury Festival 2015 - Day 1(18 of20)
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Pete Doherty of the Libertines performs as surprise act on the Pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Tabatha Fireman/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:Tabatha Fireman via Getty Images)
Glastonbury Festival 2015 - Day 1(19 of20)
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Pete Doherty and Carl Barat of the Libertines perform as surprise act on the Pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Tabatha Fireman/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:Tabatha Fireman via Getty Images)
Glastonbury Festival 2015 - Day 1(20 of20)
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: (L-R) John Hassall of the Libertines performs as surprise act on the Pyramid stage at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Tabatha Fireman/Redferns via Getty Images) (credit:Tabatha Fireman via Getty Images)