The Libertines are an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barat (vocals/guitar) and Pete Doherty (vocals/guitar). The band, centered on the songwriting partnership of Barat and Doherty, has also included John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums) for most of its recording career. The band was part of the garage rock revival and spearheaded the movement in the UK. The band gained some notoriety in the early 2000s.

Doherty and Barat remained out of contact for several months after the Libertines had ended, due to Doherty's spiralling drug abuse. Members of the band reunited several times on stage through the years to play Libertines songs, but talks of a reunion remained tepid as Doherty and Barat concentrated on their respective bands Babyshambles and Dirty Pretty Things. A retrospective collection Time for Heroes - The Best of The Libertines was released in 2007.  It wouldn't be until 2010, when it was announced on 29 March, that the Libertines were to reform for the Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2010. They were special guests to headliners Arcade Fire on Friday 27 August at Bramham Park, Leeds and Saturday 28 August at Little John's Farm, Reading. Following the announcement, the band held a press conference on 31 March 2010 to discuss their reformation at the Boogaloo pub. The press conference then turned into an impromptu "guerilla gig" with the band playing many of their old tunes. The Reading and Leeds festival appearances were preluded by 2 nights at the HMV Forum. A 300-strong rehearsal gig for friends, family and some members of the musical press on Tuesday 24 August 2010 and a sold-out fans-only show on Wednesday 25 August.  Doherty promised the Libertines' special guest performance at Reading and Leeds Festivals would be to be remembered. The performance at the festival received very positive reviews from both fans and the press. After the gigs at the Reading and Leeds festival, it remained unclear as to what the Libertines would do next as both Carl Barat and Pete Doherty were embarking on solo tours. There were hints of more Libertines gigs in the future which both Barat and Doherty confirming they have received offers for gigs at some point in 2011. However, an interview with Carl Barat in May 2011 for NME magazine suggested the band did not have any current plans for future activities together.  In 2012, for the 2012 NME Awards, Barat stated, "I'm sure we'll do Libertines or something at some point." However, the Libertines still have no plans to reunite. In the same interview, Barat said that for the majority of 2012 he will be focusing on acting, making the possibility of a reunion unlikely, at least for this year. Also in 2012, Doherty said that the Libertines definitely have a future as a band. Answer this question using a quote from the following article:

Who was in the band?
Doherty and Barat