Watch Libertines Enjoy Drunken Revelry in Thailand in ‘Gunga Din’ Video
The Libertines have shared the joyous music video for “Gunga Din,” the first single off their comeback LP Anthems for Doomed Youth, the British rockers first album in 11 years. In the video, we watch as the Libertines, led by Carl Barat and Pete Doherty, reconvene, get drunk and revel in the neon-lined streets of Thailand like they were starring in The Hangover Part II. According to Pitchfork, the band’s longtime photographer Roger Sargent filmed the video at Walking Street, Pataya, a red light district in Thailand.
After “Gunga Din” premiered on the BBC on Thursday, DJ Annie Mac spoke to Doherty and Barat about their decision to record new music together, NME reports. “In a short period of time just before Christmas last year when Carl appeared out of the blue while I was having some treatment to curb my enthusiasms and we spent a bit of time together,” Doherty said. “We find ourselves picking up guitars at odd times, doing a few tunes and with Carl mucking about, we decided to make music at the end of it!” Barat added, “It’s been part of our friendship that we decided to make music again. We communicated through making music anyway.”
Like the reunited Blur, who laid down much of their surprise LP The Magic Whip in Hong Kong, the Libertines also ventured to southeast Asia to record on their comeback album. “It was ridiculous! In 40 degree [Celsius] heat and 100 percent humidity with scorpions and pit vipers,” Barat said. “It was beautiful, great to have that tranquility, having the time to ourselves, it was wonderful!”