Lyric discussion by SamJG 

Cover art for Mayday lyrics by Libertines, The

Yeah definitely the Mayday riots, not just because of the song title, but because of the chorus:

" the mob goes fifteen ways i dunno which way to go the mob goes fifteen ways and my head ( my poor head) feels like a smashed window"

Sounds like he's describing being in the middle of a riot, a huge mob of people (the mob) and the "Fifteen ways" being how everyone is running around in different directions.

Ace song, short but sweet.