The British singer is living a peaceful new life in Normandy. Based in Étretat where he wrote his latest album “The Fantasy Life of Poetry & Crime”, Peter Doherty performed on June 7 in the city’s Notre-Dame church. A concert for the benefit of the renovation of the 12th century building.
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No more scandals and excesses, Peter Doherty is reinventing himself in Normandy. The rowdy former rock star and leader of the Libertines and Babyshambles is appeased. Installed on the heights of Étretat, it is here that he met the musician Frédéric Lo. Together they composed The Fantasy Life of Poetry & Crime, an album released in March. And this Tuesday, June 7, they performed in front of 300 people in the Notre-Dame d’Etretat. A charity concert to raise funds for the renovation of the endangered building.
A heritage treasure saved by a singer who has long been in the news? It is an atypical image but a reality. Peter Doherty gladly agreed to perform in concert. “We do our bit for the community”, he explains. “It is a very beautiful church, how not to love such a place? Plus there are English soldiers buried here.”.
Listed as a Historic Monument, this 12th century building is in very poor condition. The total budget for the work amounts to two million euros. Half is supported by the State and communities. The rest comes from private donors and patrons.
Peter Doherty is therefore gradually returning to the front of the stage, after several years spent in the shadows to try to get rid of his demons. In Normandy, he wrote a very poetic album with Frédéric Lo: songs inspired by his new life. It was all written and recorded here: the critically acclaimed renaissance album. Involved in his new life, the singer is also a citizen committed to preserving the heritage of his adopted land. A real comeback.