With their corkscrew curls and tattered jeans, Dirty Pretty Things don't really stand out in a university bar. But despite the camouflage they're not hard to spot – the screaming mobs of fans are a bit of a giveaway.
To understand the hysteria you have to look to the haphazard history of the band – a journey which leads back to The Libertines. This was the group in which Dirty Pretty Things' front man Carl Barat partnered with Pete Doherty to produce an iconic album – rebellious and raw yet stylishly nonchalant. But indie's new dawn was soiled by ceaseless feuds and copious fallouts. Opposite directions The band ruptured, propelling Doherty and Barat into opposite directions – and straight into new bands. But there's one big difference between the bands. Mention Doherty's name on campus and one can expect the sort of hostile sneer normally reserved for top-up fees or coursework deadlines. After a cluster of no-shows and a stumbling shambles of a gig, Doherty is pitifully unpopular in Norwich. Barat, on the other hand, is the city's man of the moment. Tonight the packed venue delights in his presence, joining him in bass-drum driven sing-alongs and hollering their appreciation between songs. 'Magnificent' And it’s no surprise, for every song sounds magnificent.
 | | Didz spoke to us ahead of the gig |
While Doherty was in The Priory ironing out his problems, Dirty Pretty Things were busy in the shadow polishing their sound – and my goodness it shows. As the scrawny boys strum strident power chords, there's a feeling of ecstasy in the air – this is what indie fans have longed for. After a hectic encore, Dirty Pretty Things turn to leave the stage. The fans bellow their praises and in return drummer Gary Powell tosses his drumsticks onto the dance floor. If this performance shows one thing, it's how foolish it would be to write Barat et all off as the residue left behind after the breakdown of The Libertines – if anything these boys were the backbone of the band. Yes, tonight marks a new chapter in this hackneyed saga: a tale of Brit-pop’s blood brothers, countless quarrels, the bastard birth of two new bands and, finally, a happy ending – well, for one of them at least. Dirty Pretty Things played the UEA, Norwich, on Wednesday, 13 December, 2006. Photo credits: Laura Brady | 
