The Charlatans - Glasgow - The Barrowland - Wednesday 11 March 2015
So Oh! I have been something of a fan of The Charlatans since Tim Burgess appeared on my telly screen shaking his head about and swaying his body about as he sang ‘The Only One I Know’ back in the early 90s. Back then I was digging on the Stone Roses big time and LOVED the full ‘baggy scene’ that emerged that summer (flares and all)! At the time I loved the debut album Some Friendly and even lesser known track ‘Me In Time’ (still do) but admittedly tuned out a bit with the release of the next couple of albums as my earlobes took me in different directions. My ears starting picking up again with the release of self-titled album The Charlatans and I have been in it for the journey since.
Hot on the heels of the release of twelfth studio album Modern Nature, tonight is the second of two nights at the Glasgow Barrowland. Whilst not my favourite venue for taking photos, Barrowland is without doubt my ultimate live venue for catching a band and it was here I last caught the Charlatans on their Tellin Stories Anniversary tour. Tonight the band are preceded by Factory Floor and whilst I have enjoyed the duo’s remix of ‘Come Home Baby’, I am not a huge fan of music without vocals. That said, the beats create a nice ambience prior to the arrival of the main act.
So Oh! I have been something of a fan of The Charlatans since Tim Burgess appeared on my telly screen shaking his head about and swaying his body about as he sang ‘The Only One I Know’ back in the early 90s. Back then I was digging on the Stone Roses big time and LOVED the full ‘baggy scene’ that emerged that summer (flares and all)! At the time I loved the debut album Some Friendly and even lesser known track ‘Me In Time’ (still do) but admittedly tuned out a bit with the release of the next couple of albums as my earlobes took me in different directions. My ears starting picking up again with the release of self-titled album The Charlatans and I have been in it for the journey since.
Hot on the heels of the release of twelfth studio album Modern Nature, tonight is the second of two nights at the Glasgow Barrowland. Whilst not my favourite venue for taking photos, Barrowland is without doubt my ultimate live venue for catching a band and it was here I last caught the Charlatans on their Tellin Stories Anniversary tour. Tonight the band are preceded by Factory Floor and whilst I have enjoyed the duo’s remix of ‘Come Home Baby’, I am not a huge fan of music without vocals. That said, the beats create a nice ambience prior to the arrival of the main act.
The Charlatans take to the stage a little after 9.00 pm with ‘Forever’ opening the set. As Martin Blunt picks up his bass, I can feel the goose-bumps on my arms and with Tony Rogers sitting at his Wurlitzer, Mark Collins on guitar and Pete Salisbury (The Verve) on the drum kit I feel the adrenaline run through my veins confirming what I already know and that the next 2 hours will be epic. Twitter king Tim appears to take a snap of the crowd and Tweet it on stage as old-timer ‘Weirdo’ follows before the terrific ‘Talking In Tones’ becomes the first track from Modern Nature to make an appearance. The crowd are on it from the off and when ‘North Country Boy’ follows the Barrowland erupts with a full scale sing-a-long. Tim reins the crowd in (a little) with ‘So Oh’ before ‘Tellin Stories’ takes it to another level again. At this stage, I catch my breath and reflect on the performance so far and conclude both the band is sounding great and Tim is in fine vocal with the new tracks sounding absolutely killer!
‘Let The Good Times Be Never Ending’ is another new tune to feature with Tim appearing to be in a very happy place as he delivers the vocal throughout. As a fan, highlights are for me are a constant and I am delighted to hear ‘You’re So Pretty, We’re So Pretty’, ‘Oh! Vanity’ and ‘Just Lookin’. Live staple ‘One To Another’ shakes the foundations of the old Barrowland and as ‘Emilie’ and the Doors-esq ‘In The Tall Grass’ bring a sense of tranquility to the occasion I take a moment to reflect on my first Charlatans gig since the passing of drummer Jon Brookes. For me, The Charlatans have always came across as a gang and Modern Nature is their best album in many a year and fitting testament to the character of a band that continue to move forward no matter what. ‘How High’ cranks the set up again with ‘The Only One I Know’ and the dreamy ‘Come Home Baby’ bringing the set to a close.
With the crowd demanding more, the band return for a 4 track encore consisting of 2 new songs ‘Keep Enough’ and ‘Lean In’ before delivering ‘Blackened Blue Eyes’ and long standing set-closer ‘Sproston Green’. Unless I missed it there were no songs from Us and Us Only and I continue to wait in hope for the day when I hear ‘Senses’ live once again (Tim, take the hint). They came they conquered, see you next time!
Words: Bazza Mills
Twitter: @bazzamills
‘Let The Good Times Be Never Ending’ is another new tune to feature with Tim appearing to be in a very happy place as he delivers the vocal throughout. As a fan, highlights are for me are a constant and I am delighted to hear ‘You’re So Pretty, We’re So Pretty’, ‘Oh! Vanity’ and ‘Just Lookin’. Live staple ‘One To Another’ shakes the foundations of the old Barrowland and as ‘Emilie’ and the Doors-esq ‘In The Tall Grass’ bring a sense of tranquility to the occasion I take a moment to reflect on my first Charlatans gig since the passing of drummer Jon Brookes. For me, The Charlatans have always came across as a gang and Modern Nature is their best album in many a year and fitting testament to the character of a band that continue to move forward no matter what. ‘How High’ cranks the set up again with ‘The Only One I Know’ and the dreamy ‘Come Home Baby’ bringing the set to a close.
With the crowd demanding more, the band return for a 4 track encore consisting of 2 new songs ‘Keep Enough’ and ‘Lean In’ before delivering ‘Blackened Blue Eyes’ and long standing set-closer ‘Sproston Green’. Unless I missed it there were no songs from Us and Us Only and I continue to wait in hope for the day when I hear ‘Senses’ live once again (Tim, take the hint). They came they conquered, see you next time!
Words: Bazza Mills
Twitter: @bazzamills