Pete Doherty @ Barrowlands, 24 Feb

What happens when a live-fast-die-young mercurial talent usurps expectations and, instead of burning out in a blaze of glory, he, well, lives? The question’s been asked of rebel-rousing urchin Peter Doherty before, and tonight gives some clues as to the possible fates before the nation’s favourite waster should he stay clean, or turn out to have a Keith Richards-like resistance to the mortal strain of a decade or several under the influence.

Option one: Fade away. It's certainly possible, what with each of his ventures (The Libertines, Babyshambles, new solo record Grace/Wastelands) prompting a little less critical enthusiasm than the last. But witness the borderline hysteria from the disciples filling the Barrowlands tonight and it’s clear he’s far from trying their patience. And while some of his new material sounds too slight to warrant such dedication, it frequently shows a maturity beyond the ramshackle indie of the past, occasionally approaching the Go-Betweens’ level of sophistication.

So, option 2: Continue touring as the nostalgia act of choice for the current twenty-something generation. From an opening solo Music When The Lights Go Out to renditions of What Katy Did, Albion and, best of all, a muscular Fuck Forever, it’s the older material that prompts the loudest squeals and shouts from the crowd. Perhaps if the new stuff stops finding an audience he can take the Ocean Colour Scene route to longevity? Again, seems plausible - but what act doesn’t get a warmer response to their tried-and-tested tracks compared to more freshly-penned material yet to worm its way into the fans’ hearts?

Option 3: Reform the Libertines. Just a thought. With the demise of Carl Barat’s Dirty Pretty Things, a proper reunion of the likely lads has become the elephant in the room when talking about either half of a song writing duo arguably far more effective together than they’ve ever been apart. I have a hunch people might like to see them together again (exhibit A: an encore of Time for Heroes so rabidly received it startles the security and gives the medics a few additional fainters to nurse.)

Or option 4: Just keep on doing what he’s doing long enough for the morbid gossip-hounds and 3am girls to drop away. Alright, but how to keep the wolves of obscurity at bay long enough? After all, it’s going to be years till Doherty is finally considered yesterday’s tabloid fodder - the stories are still too lucrative. Roping in a band that includes such fantastic musicians as Graham Coxon and Dot Allison is a pretty good start, even if the latter is barely used and the former used strangely, given a quiet acoustic guitar for the better part of the night.

Four conceivable options, and as befits a man not known for his predictability, the path his career will take is unclear. So, for now, I’ll sit on the fence, thrilled by the gig but as yet unconvinced by the new music it yields.