Libertines Reform For Festivals?

Indie icon Pete Doherty has revealed that he intends to reform his iconic group The Libertines for a series of series of shows next summer.

The Libertines are one of the most influential British groups to emerge this decade. With their decidedly English outlook, the band added a bohemian mystique to the well-worn Britpop template.

Winning the hearts of a generation, the group sadly split after just two albums. The internal friction that drove them on eventually drove them apart, with dual songwriters Pete Doherty and Carl Barat eventually facing each other in a court room.

However time heals all wounds. Pete Doherty released his debut solo album earlier this year, while Carl Barat is now working on his own after the split of Dirty Pretty Things. The pair appeared onstage together at London's Rhythm Factory in memory of a close friend, heightening anticipation of a full scale Libertines re-union.

Currently, drummer Gary Powell is without a band after the collapse of Dirty Pretty Things. Bass player John Hassal plays with Yeti, but Pete Doherty claims that this won't stop a re-union in a new interview with NME.

The singer recently claimed that The Libertines would reform for a series of festival dates next summer. "It's going to happen, you know," Doherty said. "I spoke to John Hassall, he's well up for it." Referring to Powell, he added, "He said he would."

Doherty went on to joke that he may well play the shows without Barat, referring to a number of shows in 2004 that The Libertines played while Pete Doherty was out of the band.

"I'll put an advert in NME: 'Carlos lookalike required'."

Meanwhile, Pete Doherty has the small matter of his own career to attend to. Babyshambles are currently working on their third album, while the indie star is still touring his own solo album 'Grace / Wastelands'.

Pete Doherty is set to play V Festival this weekend (August 22nd - 23rd).