Watch Pete Doherty cover Manic Street Preachers' 'Motorcycle Emptiness'

Recorded for a Libertines lockdown special

Pete Doherty at the Virgin Money Unity Arena in August 2020
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 30th Nov 2020
Last updated 30th Nov 2020

Libertines frontman Pete Doherty has filmed himself performing an acoustic cover of Manic Street Preachers’ timeless classic ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’.

During the first lockdown earlier this year, The Libertines shared a series of exclusive videos to keep fans entertained including rarely heard demos, archive live performances and interviews, and the three-part Skint and Minted puppet series.

Yesterday (29th November), Manic Street Preachers fan site MSPpedia reshared a new Pete Doherty live performance recorded for the band’s two-hour live stream special RKD TV last week.

Manic Street Preachers in 1992

The clip starts with Pete Doherty saying: “Hello everybody! I know life’s been a bit chaotic… season’s greetings, miss you, miss the world” before launching into Manic Street Preachers’ 1992 anthem ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’.

Presumably suffering from a bad internet connection, the blurry video features poor quality sound but you can still make out Pete taking on the might of ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ here:

Pete Doherty isn't the first famous name to cover 'Motorcycle Emptiness' this year. Back in April, Robbie Williams sang along to the track on Instagram Live:

Manic Street Preachers released a deluxe edition of their second album ‘Gold Against The Soul’ in June, and two months later James Dean Bradfield released his second solo album ‘Even In Exile’.

A concept album based on the life and death of the Chilean activist, singer and poet Víctor Jara, ‘Even In Exile’ charted at Number 6 in the UK and was met with glowing reviews.

Coinciding with its release, James Dean Bradfield recorded live versions of ‘Even In Exile’ tracks ‘The Boy From The Plantation’ and ‘From The Hands Of Violet’ plus Manics classic ‘From Despair To Where’ exclusively for Absolute Radio.

Watch James Dean Bradfield’s Absolute Radio live session:

Manic Street Preachers performing live for Absolute Radio:

Manic Street Preachers performing at a session for Absolute Radio, 2009


Manic Street Preachers performing at a session for Absolute Radio, 2009


Manic Street Preachers at Absolute Radio's 5th birthday, 2013


Manic Street Preachers performing at Absolute Radio's 5th birthday, 2013


Manic Street Preachers performing at Absolute Radio's 5th birthday, 2013


Manic Street Preachers performing at Absolute Radio's 5th birthday, 2013


Manic Street Preachers performing at OnBlackheath, 2015


Manic Street Preachers performing at OnBlackheath, 2015


Manic Street Preachers performing at the Isle of Wight Festival, 2018


Manic Street Preachers performing at the Isle of Wight Festival, 2018


Manic Street Preachers performing at the Isle of Wight Festival, 2018


Manic Street Preachers backstage at the Isle of Wight Festival, 2018


Manic Street Preachers at Absolute Radio's 10th birthday, 2018


Manic Street Preachers performing at Absolute Radio's 10th birthday, 2018


Manic Street Preachers performing at Absolute Radio's 10th birthday, 2018


Manic Street Preachers performing at Absolute Radio's 10th birthday, 2018


Manic Street Preachers performing at Absolute Radio's 10th birthday, 2018


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