The Torriano crowd enjoy Pete Doherty's performance. Picture: Bernie Cawley

ROCK star Pete Doherty led a host of music legends as they launched an album in support of a Kentish Town pub – as it heads for a final showdown in the courts after a four-year battle against closure.

Doherty on stage. Picture: Bernie Cawley

The former Libertines star played to a packed basement at The Torriano Bar, in Torriano Avenue, on Saturday, to promote the release of Raise the Bar.

Soul legend Omar and former Happy Mondays guitarist Kav also performed as part of the star-studded bill. The record has been put together to raise cash for a decisive court clash over the pub’s lease.

Landlady Suzi Martin, 35, said: “The whole night was just electric. Everyone came together in a very positive way, and it was a celebration of everything we have achieved – because we’re still here after four years of battling.”

Nineteen artists, including Doherty, Omar and Kav, have penned songs for the record. The Torriano is due to face Spaces Property in the courts in October as it bids to hold onto its lease – and will need to raise tens of thousands of pounds to cover a hefty legal bill.

Ms Martin said: “They want to turn the place into flats, but we’ve got a roll-over lease and they can’t just sling us out without going to court. But it’s going to cost a lot to go there – we need to raise £50,000.”

Doherty, newsreader Jon Snow, and comedian and Mighty Boosh star Julian Barratt are among the Camden-based celebrities who have backed the pub’s campaign over the past few years.

Ms Martin added: “We’ve had lots of support because it’s an amazing venue and it’s the last of a dying breed. We don’t have promoters involved, it’s free to hire and groups come to rehearse and we don’t charge. We just encourage the arts in the community.”

Back in 2008, there were jubilant scenes as Snow spoke at Camden Town Hall and successfully urged councillors to throw out the developer’s plans – but the ecstasy turned to misery when a planning inspector overturned that decision in 2009. Jenny Headlam-Wells, a Labour councillor for Kentish Town ward, who lives in Torriano Avenue, said: “It would be a big loss to the area if it was to shut down. There used to be a lot of small independent shops in the road, most of which have gone, and it’s a last outpost of what Torriano Avenue used to look like.

“It’s a one-off with a great atmosphere, and at a time when lots of pubs are closing down or being taken over by chains, the fact it’s an independent pub is very important.”

Spaces Property declined to comment. Raise the Bar will be released on May 16.