Max Bianco was handpicked by The Libertines to support them on tour and then again by Peter Doherty, who provided the kind of quote that launches careers: “The last true troubadour and working class hero we’ve been waiting for.” Peter doesn’t hand those out like flyers. The new album is shaping up to be a curated summit of the scene’s elder statesmen, with Doherty, Tom Van Heel (Paul Weller Band), Alex White (Primal Scream), and Charles Bueller (Dead Freights) all slated to appear. It’s a passing of the torch … or a loan of the lighter.
And so, the cornerstone of this new chapter is the single, Cold Outside b/w Yesterday Was Heavy.
In December 2025, Max Bianco will support Babyshambles on their 20th anniversary tour for their seminal debut album, Down In Albion. The timing is exquisite.
max on wax
A New Vinyl Dispatch from the Albion Factory
The track, his first release for label Bubblebrain Records, is being given the treatment it deserves. In a fittingly classic (and collectable) move, Cold Outside is being pressed as a limited edition 7-inch vinyl. The B-side, the intriguingly titled Yesterday Was Heavy, completes a package that serves as the perfect calling card. At the controls was the award-winning Jason Stafford, the house engineer who famously wrangled The Libertines’ own number-one album in that very room. It’s a crucial alliance, ensuring the track is soaked in the correct sonic signature.
MAX MAKES HIS MARK
The Troubadour’s Pilgrimage: Max Bianco at the Albion Rooms
For Max Bianco, the destination was always The Albion Rooms, The Libertines’ Warholian factory. He earned his place by proving his mettle with chaotic shows in the hotel’s Waste Land bar.
This cemented his status as family, leading to the inevitable next step of recording his new album in the hallowed studio downstairs. He was paired with house engineer Jason Stafford who, as Max notes, brings the atmosphere. The sessions became a summit, a snapshot of the entire Albion network. It’s a testament to his complete absorption into the scene.
TOUR DATES
Max Bianco is set to join Babyshambles for multiple dates on their reunion tour, making a significant contribution to the live run of shows in December. The singer-songwriter is confirmed as a supporting act for two key dates in the North and Midlands: the show at the O2 Academy Leeds on Sunday, December 7, and the gig at Rock City in Nottingham on Monday, December 8. His addition to the bill for these shows offers fans a chance to see a blend of established indie rock with a rising voice on the scene.
Beyond the main support slots, Max’s involvement extends to the wider tour events, including the show at the O2 Academy Bristol on Tuesday, December 9, and the official pre-party event being held in Manchester on Sunday, November 30.
To cap off the tour, Max will play a special live set at the official Babyshambles Afterparty at The Good Mixer in Camden, London, on Monday, December 15, with free entry for all from 11 PM.
The last true troubadour and working class hero we’ve been waiting for.
– PeteR Doherty
The Libertines · Babyshambles · The Puta Madres
