Features The Stylish Kids In The Riot?

Unless you’ve been hibernating for the past few days, you’re bound to have heard about the debacle that took place at the London Astoria on Saturday. No, it’s not the fact that Babyshambles didn’t play; surely even their most ardent fans (especially those) would admit that’s hardly a noteworthy event, it’s the riots which ensued.

Nobody’s here to blame anyone; the security had no reason to use makeshift ‘weapons’ against what were in all probability intoxicated teenagers, adrenaline pumping from built up anticipation and anger, perhaps fearing the worst. Likewise who were the crowd to destroy the equipment? Basses covered in beer, and Gemma Clarke’s drum kit reportedly completely obliterated, pedals stolen and offered on eBay?

With different reports claiming frontman Pete Doherty was at the venue, didn’t turn up, or left at around 1am, the real question should be - why wasn’t the crowd informed as soon as organisers knew what was going on? The extra money the bars would have taken won’t pay for the damage done, hundreds of teenagers will have had to occupy themselves until the first train home, and there is likely to be an official investigation into proceedings; surely if Doherty hadn’t arrived by midnight it would have been best to assume he wouldn’t at all?

It can’t be fun to watch a man self-destruct, and just sometimes you wonder whether it was all intended to be exactly like this. The stylish kids in the riot.