According to London’s Times, the Libertines might reunite in the studio next year. Aversion reports that “no firmed-up plans have been revealed,” which makes the prospects all the more suspect, but the band’s on-stage reunion in May is said to have prompted members Pete Doherty and Carl Barat to think about returning to the studio together, putting aside their respective differences. Barat, as you may or may not remember, kicked Doherty to the curb when the singer was unable to wean himself off of drugs. So who decided to compromise?

We’ve been scrambling to keep you up-to-date as Glastonbury’s slowly leaked megaconfirmation after megaconfirmation in the past few months. But today’s full lineup announcement is something to behold, the headlining package of Neil Young, the Boss and a reunited Blur now propped up by a roster so behemoth and iron-clad, it’s equal parts intimidating and enticing. Also playing: Bloc Party, Lady Gaga, Jarvis Cocker, Regina Spektor, Maximo Park, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Lily Allen, Tom Jones, Pete Doherty, Q-Tip, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Streets, Ray Davies and and and and…

There will be mud.

This weekend’s one-off Libertines reunion may a precursor of things to come, as Carl Barat recently told NME about the potential for the group to re-band and perform again. He, Pete Doherty, and drummer Gary Powell reassembled on stage to play a six song set for highly enthused fans (which you can see here).

After doing a gig at Rhythm Factory over the weekend in London in honor of Johnny Sedassy -– who passed away earlier this year –- Barat commented that he wouldn’t mind “[getting] on stage with Pete at some point soon,” and that he didn’t rule out playing with the whole group once again. Bassist John Hassall was out of the country for the Rhythm Factory gig.

Barat also mentioned that though he intends to work on his own solo material plus tour, “Next year is a new year, [and] we’ll see what happens.” We’ll also see what happens with Doherty’s criminal record, but we’re happy the idea is there.

Read the full interview here.

In what’s sure to make Britpoppers around the world break out their army jackets and Cockney accents, three out of four members of the U.K.’s Libertines reunited on stage late Friday night at London’s Rhythm Factory for a tribute show for promoter Johnny “Rhythm” Sedassy. Pete Doherty and Carl Barat, who’ve popped up here and there at each other’s gig in between fighting with each other, were joined on stage by drummer Gary Powell for the first time since the band’s dissipation five years ago. Bass player John Hassell, sadly, was out of the country.

The six song showcase, of which you can see “Can’t Stand Me Now” which can be viewed in its entirety on here, has been rumored for some time now, leaving many to wonder if this will lead to more shows for the band. Only time will tell.

Maybe because he hadn’t gotten into a fist fight in a while, and it just seemed like the right thing to do, Pete Doherty has decided that Babyshambles needs to make a “comeback album” to show Oasis what’s up and take their place as Britain’s top band.

Doherty told NME.com that he was impressed by Oasis’ most recent album, Dig Out Your Soul — so impressed that he wants to one-up it and make an even better LP.

“With Oasis stepping up a gear and proving they’ve still got it, they need to be shown there are people out there who can surpass them,” Doherty said. “Can we match them? The quality is good [in Oasis], but there really is no competition because my band is the greatest in the world and we’re going to prove it.”

Of course, then when the chips were really on the table Doherty wasn’t so sure any more. NME asked him when we should all pencil in to our calendars to run out and buy this new album, and he seemed unsure. “It’s record company politics, ” he said. “Please, let it happen as soon as possible.”

Please, for all of us. Please.

Lee Mavers of The La’s must have had a great time with Pete Doherty on his recent solo tour. The Liverpool songwriter has asked Doherty’s band Babyshambles to be his backing band on his band’s new record.

Babyshambles’ drummer Adam Ficek confirmed the possible collaboration, telling NME that Mavers thoroughly enjoyed playing with the group and asked about collaborating with them.

“He said how much he loved what we do, how we play, how we look,” said Ficek. “Then Peter said Lee wants us to be his backing band.” According to Ficek, he is not sure what direction the project will go in, but Lee has a bunch of new material and Ficek is excited about it.

The La’s have worked with a variety of different guitarists and drummers, so adding Ficek and Doherty into the pool might give the band the extra push it needs to put out a stellar new album. The La’s haven’t released a record since 1990’s The La’s, which was their first and only full length studio release.

If you happen to see Pete Doherty today, you should wish him a happy birthday. The former Libertines frontman turns 30 today and he’s celebrating by releasing his first solo album, Grace/Wastelands. We’ve got the first single, “New Love Grows on Trees.”

In the last year of his 20s, Pete managed to sell out his show at London’s Royal Albert Hall and exhibit artwork in Paris. Grace/Wasteland, the first major endeavor of his 30s, features his Babyshambles bandmates as well as Blur’s Graham Coxon, who Doherty said ended up playing on most of the tracks.

[Grace/Wasteland cover]

Pete Doherty – “New Love Grows On Trees”

Yes, it is time for another AEC Monthly Missive. There are some very exciting things coming up in the next few weeks — March 2009 is bringing some great things from across the pond, so let’s get down to business.

We’ll first pick up where we left off last month. Since SXSW is days away, we want to make sure you get the rest of the low-down of all of the UK bands that will be deep in the heart of Texas. So here’s the second half of the list of our UK picks from the line-up (L-Z for those playing at home).

Littl’ans
A duet with Pete Doherty in the charts and deep connections to ex-Dior Homme mastermind Hedi Slimane, you can be forgiven for being gagged by the hype. But give the tunes a chance and even with the Lib’s similarities, you can’t help but groove to the post-Mod jangle. Their debut won’t be out until the summer, so check them out before everyone else tells you about them in September.

Littl’ans feat. Pete Doherty – “Their Way”

Lovvers
It’s pretty easy to forget that SXSW used to be a showcase for small punk bands and indie rock acts that were just trying to get signed. Nowadays things are a bit different, but Lovvers will (at least sonically) remind you of the good ol’ days. Noisy, catchy and punky in a time-machine way. (By the way, we loathe the whole multiple unnecessary consonant thing that’s so hot these days, and we are still recommending them.)

Lovvers – “Human Hair”

The Manhattan Love Suicides
It didn’t take much for us to put MLS at the top of our list. Give any of their tracks about 20 seconds and you’ll understand. Once the feedback, the guitars and the C86-style singing kick in, and most AEC members will melt. Maybe there is hope for the neo-twee movement after all.

The Manhattan Love Suicides – “The 10th Victim”

Micachu and the Shapes
Not particularly our cup of tea, but indie intelligentsia are gushing about Micachu, so we figured we should drop them in here. Noisy, avant garde anti-folk with a dash of electronic mayhem. Bjork’s reportedly a fan and most of the music is played on homemade instruments. That should say a mouthful.

Micachu & The Shapes – “Lips”

My Federation
Take a look at their recent history and you’d think My Federation are a household name in the UK. Their songs have been heard in countless movies, TV shows, video games and the like. This could bode well for their American future, but then again, for every iPod success story, there are thousands of also-rans. The tunes are catchy and radio ready, but we’ll have to see where they end up.

My Federation – “What Gods Are These”

Nacional
This is one for the bookish studious AEC kids — the buttoned up and sharp ones. Often compared to Joy Division, Teardrop Explodes, The Smiths and Wedding Present, Nacional do have some similarities to the above, but with a much sunnier demeanor. These Glaswegians are definitely worth a look and a listen.

Nacional – “Telephone”

Pete and the Pirates The band name is pants, but the tunes are top. P&tP are post-punk, and yet totally melodic and fun. They have the kind of tunes that get under your skin and force you to listen, somewhere between Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand. Visually interesting as well, make sure you check them out, just in case the live show is as interesting as their videos.

Pete and the Pirates – “Mr. Understanding”

Rosie and the Goldbug
For those who need a dose of femininity in the sea of testosterone that SXSW might be, R&GB might be the answer; pretty girls, pretty songs and some great song sensibility. This is perfect for St. Etienne fans, as well as PJ Harvey fans.

Rosie and the Goldbug – “Heartbreak”

Screaming Tea Party
Loud and noisy but in an original Japan vs. UK style, STP remembers that the key to good rock and roll is the mix of energy and good straightforward song writing. At times, STP lull you with their melodies, but they will just as easily swing for the feedback fences. To us, this is a very happy place to be.

Screaming Tea Party – “I’d Rather Be Stuck On the Stair Rail”

The She Creatures
Could be great, could be a train wreck, but that’s the best kind of bet. Blue wigs and silver spacesuits on an all-girl band with a penchant for garage rock “Theremin meets organ” freak-outs. Um, yes please!

The She Creatures – “Sexy Robot”

Turbowolf
For fans of: riffs, turning it up to 11 and raising the goblet of rawk. Also includes an electronic edge just to keep you guessing, but it’s still rock and roll. Join in the chant and raise a fist for Turbowolf. This should be your best “sweaty show” option.

Turbowolf – “Bite Me Like A Dog”

The Webb Sisters
Currently touring with Leonard Cohen… yeah that’s probably saying enough. But the Webb Sisters have plenty of other things going for them as well, namely luscious voices, lyrical and musical depth and a modern chamber music aura that is at once spooky and calming. And yes they are very attractive.

The Webb Sisters and Leonard Cohen – “If It Be Your Will”

We Have Band
In the Santigold vein, WHB are former music biz folk who figured they could do it just as well, if not better than their wards. And lo and behold, they can. Funky, fun, slick, and tight; sounds like a hot night to us. Think New Young Pony Club, Hot Chip and Kitsune dance rock.

This should take care of most of your Austin party time from the British perspective. Please feel free to report back with your findings, and let us know who delivered and who disappointed. We’re dying to know.

In “scene” news, we were recently given our first look at “donk.” If you haven’t had the pleasure, there’s a ton of info online now to introduce you to this Northern England genre hybrid beast. To dive right in, we recommend doing so in the following order…

First of all, read the article.

Watch the video documentary.

Watch the video/hear the single.

Now it would probably be easy to despise this. But when it comes down to it, we love the fact that it’s such a homegrown and local scene with a fervent following. And honestly, we wouldn’t mind “dropping a donk on it” at a party sometime. Mayhem.

Finally, there are two passions that the AEC has when it comes to the UK. Music is obviously the first, but football is a close second. Luckily, the two often cross paths and that allows us to talk footie at you for a sec. In Manchester City news, AEC faves, doves, have beaten Oasis to the punch by doing their version of “Blue Moon” for the Sky Blues. They won’t be releasing it at all, and can only be heard at the Eastlands stadium, but we just love it when bands show their support for their hometown teams.

(Also check out tracks/videos from their upcoming record here. Sounds great to us so far.)

In less fun news, as one of our favorite blogs, Kickette put it: we now have “Reason 998 to hate Ashley Cole.” While his lovely wife, Cheryl (of Girls Aloud and AEC dreams fame) treks up Mount Kilimanjaro for charity, A. Cole promised to stay out of bars, other girls’ pants and basically out of trouble. And he couldn’t even do that, as he was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct in London last week. Now, for the most part, we couldn’t care less about “Cash-ley” Cole, or his drinking habits. But the report from the mountain is that when she heard of his fracas, Mrs. Cole, who was already suffering from altitude sickness, fainted and had to be attended to by the doctors on hand.

Ashley, you can make our team suffer, you can make England’s team suffer, but we refuse to let you make Cheryl suffer anymore. You are on notice.

See you next month.

You’ll Never Walk Alone,

The AEC

A while back Pete Doherty made it known that The Libertines had been offered in upwards of £2 million to reunite for festival season, and bandmate Carl Barat pretty much immediately put the kabash on anything of the sort. But then the two seemed chummy at the NME Shockwave Awards, and now Pete “Publicity Machine” Doherty is back at it again, saying The Libertines reunion will definitely happen. What’s different now, Petey?

We’re going to have to wait to find out. In an interview with NME Radio, Doherty outlines his plan to get Carl and the rest of the gang back together. He also discusses his upcoming solo tour (and plans to bring along Graham Coxon) and his recent falling out with Wolfman.

On The Libertines reunion, Doherty told Neil Cole “it’s going to happen. It’s unfinished business, isn’t it?” You can listen to the full interview, airing tomorrow at noon GMT (7 a.m. EST) and again on Saturday.

Noel Fielding wants Robert Smith to guest star in the upcoming Mighty Boosh film, Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon shared the stage for the first time in a decade and Pete Doherty said he has ways of convincing Carl Barat to reunite The Libertines. Yes, it was all going down at the NME Shockwave awards. But, honestly — can you expect any less from a program that sends its winners home with a giant bronzed middle finger?

The award categories in last night’s ceremony ranged from the standard stuff (Best International Band went to The Killers, while Best British Band went to Oasis) to the slightly more whimsical (the award for Godlike Genius went to Robert Smith and The Cure) to the completely out of place (Villain of the year for the sixth year running was George W. Bush, with Hero of the Year going to President Barack Obama, because apparently even the British would’ve Baracked the vote, had they been allowed the opportunity).

But in between giving out top honors for wardrobe choices, both best (Alexa Chung) and worst (Amy Winehouse), there were some notable happenings. The most notable, of course, was the on-stage reunion of Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon. Their first time playing together in nearly a decade, they performed a stripped-down version of “This Is a Low.” Albarn said the preparations for the impending Blur reunion are going well, and that they’re “taking it really easy …. just doing it once a week and enjoying it — playing every album, every song.”

But they weren’t the only ones talking reunions — not shockingly, Pete Doherty still has dollar signs (or probably pound signs, really) floating in front of his eyes and is determined to cash in on a Libertines reunion. Doherty took home the award for Best Solo Artist last night, and told NME that he will convince Carl Barat to get the band back together. The two did a joint interview in which Barat didn’t seem as adamant as he was before that a reunion was out of the question. Doherty said he would twist his arm. Literally.

It was also a big night for The Cure, with the band taking home the award for Godlike Genius (presented by Tim Burton, for no other discernable reason than that he looks eerily like Robert Smith), and Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh declaring his desire to have Robert Smith play his uncle in the upcoming Mighty Boosh film. The show won the award for Best TV Show.

And then there was Dizzie Rascal, who proved you can actually be completely unaware you were nominated for an award and still take one home.

Finally, it must be said: any award show that a.) has categories for the worst band and worst album of the year and b.) gives both of those awards to The Jonas Brothers, is a-okay in our book.

The infamous Pete Doherty kicked off his solo UK tour last night at a sold-out Shockwaves NME Awards show in London last night. Doherty was joined by a plethera of guests, including Graham Coxon, once-again of Blur, who also plays guitar on Doherty’s new solo album Grace/Wastelands. Doherty was also joined on stage by his Babysambles‘ mates, Drew McConnell and Adam Ficek, as well as esteemed music producer Stephen Street, singer Dot Allison, and guitarist John Robinson.

Doherty, formerly of The Libertines, played a wide variety of classics for the star-packed audience, (Attendees included Roger Daltrey of The Who), ranging from Libertines’ hits like “What a Waster”, “Time for Heroes”, and “Music When The Lights Go Out”, where his Babyshambles band mates played along as a string trio. Coxon also aided Doherty as he played acoustic renditions of songs off his up and coming album, which is due out March 9, and was recorded with Stephen Street last fall.

Even after Pete Doherty casually mentioned in NME this week that The Libertines had been offered £2 million to play festival-headling gigs, Carl Barat is adamant that there’s no price tag on a band reunion — it can’t be bought, and it ain’t happenin, kids.

In NME this week, Doherty said he was ready to get the old gang together for the cash. “We had some ridiculous offers to headline Reading,” Doherty told NME. “Like £2 million to headline this festival, £1 million to headline that festival. I said, ‘Why don’t we just do it? Let’s get the old band back together.’”

But in a conversation with BBC 6Music, Barat — The Libertines’ frontman on vocals and lead guitar — said it wasn’t even on his radar.

“I’ve just freed myself up so the last thing I wanna do is completely burden my mind [with a Libertines reunion],” he said. He’s focusing on acting and his solo career — his debut UK solo gig is March 7, he announced yesterday.

Since we’re now in the business of reporting rumors, let’s get the ball rolling on a Libertines reunion at Coachella this year too. I mean, if Pete Doherty’s going to start acting like a working musician again, can cracking US Immigration laws be far off?

Revealed exclusively this morning on NME, the album — the title of which the Babyshambles man is yet to decide — will be released on March 9, with a single, “Last Of The English Roses”, to be released on March 2.

According to NME, The album was recorded with producer Stephen Street in London’s Olympic Studios in autumn last year. Blur guitarist Graham Coxon plays guitar on all songs apart from “Broken Love Song”. Singer Dot Allison performs co-vocals on “Sheepskin Tearaway”, while Doherty’s Babyshambles band mates Mik Whitnall, Adam Ficek and Drew McConnell also play on the album.

Pete Doherty’s solo album track listing
01. Arcadie
02. Last Of The English Roses
03. 1939 Returning
04. A Little Death Around The Eyes
05. Salome
06. Through The Looking Glass
07. Sweet By And By
08. Palace Of Bone
09. Sheepskin Tearaway
10. Broken Love Song
11. New Love Grows On Trees
12. Lady, Don’t Fall Backwards