The Charlatans: Review

It's been 32 years since Indian Rope burst onto the music scene and the sounds of the Charlatans became synonymous with the Manchester scene.

It's 4 years since they played Auckland's Powerstation, using sheer power and melody to devastatingly good effect.

We all know what happened next - Covid shut down the world, gigs stopped and music fans lamented the loss of everything they held there.

But on the coldest night in October for decades in Auckland, The Charlatans' bright light shone, nay even burned, once again as they returned to the stage for their Head Full of Ideas best of tour.

Originally planned to celebrate their 30th year, the world had other plans - however, as anyone au fait with the Charlatans' somewhat checkered past with fate will attest, they didn't let it hold them back.

Opening with one of their best tracks from their massively underrated second album Between 10th and 11th, Don't Want to see the Sights set the tone for the night - leader singer Tim Burgess' seductive vocals perfectly in key with Tony Rogers and Mark Collins' psychedelic harmonic rhythm section.

With over 13 albums of studio material to draw on, the band made wise choices, using some of their more familiar and raucous songs to whip the crowd into a frenzy. 

Early on, Weirdo, Can't Get out of Bed looped together to lead into a more sublime rendition of Then, with Burgess' patented grooving keeping the audience on their feet and the energy levels up.

While it's always been the enigmatic frontman with his big wide grin and Dulux-dog style mop of hair that's kept the interest in the Charlatans, it was clear on Thursday night's showing that it's also the work of Collins, bassist Martin Blunt, drummer Peter Salisbury and keyboardist Tony Rogers which keeps their set tight, blistering and unfeasibly seductive.

From high-fiving fans in the front row to whipping out his phone to get shots for his social media, Burgess was clearly in his element, a showman exalting us all to keep our hands up in the air while the melodies flowed. Up on tiptoe, he leaned into both the crowd and the band's patented mix of Hammond organ and slinky guitar riffs and psychedelia.

As ever, the band stuck to their 90 minute slot - a similar timeframe to when they last played the same venue - but in truth, with so much material to draw on they could have done much, much more.

Deploying a closing trifecta of The Only One I Know, North Country Boy and How High, the Charlatans finished up on an absolute musical high, leaving the thunderous crowd rabid for more. They knew exactly how to manipulate the crowd, and how to ensure the fans got what they wanted - but not once did they ever milk it or overplay any moment.

An encore ended with the stage and crowd bathed in green light as Sproston Green's rambunctious mix of riffs and revelry collided for a riotous conclusion.

At one point, someone shouted at frontman Tim "You're a good man, Tim." 

Taken aback for a moment, Burgess paused, smiled and retorted back "No, you're  a good man - I can tell" leaving the audience eating out of his hand. It's symptomatic of why The Charlatans are so beloved - a band that has the right combination of musical deftness, a back catalogue of continually iconic songs and a charisma that simply charms everyone they meet.

Long may they reign for another 32 years.

The Only One I Know #TheCharlatans pic.twitter.com/ahu10krkVv

— Darren White (@igorblanc) October 6, 2022