Stepping out onto the streets of Sheffield felt both comfortingly familiar and strangely new. I hadn’t been in a while. And even though it had been over a decade since my last visit to this bustling cosmopolitan city, it felt like coming home. It was in this very town that I had first seen my favourite band, The Charlatans, perform back in May 2008. Therefore, returning here once more, in the same month eighteen years later felt both nostalgic and exciting in equal measure.
Having meandered through the spicy aroma filled streets of the student area, we arrived for doors just after 7pm at The Octagon centre. There were already a few fans with their hands firmly clutching the barrier to the stage, meaning my usual front row spot for The Charlatans was taken. Not surprising for a band who have remained together and been a firm fixture on the Indie circuit for nearly four decades. As people slowly trickled into this 1800 capacity venue, The Cords quietly and unassumingly made their way to the stage. Having listened to their music ahead of the gig I was eagerly awaiting the chance to hear them as they started the evening’s music.
I loved the juxtaposition of new and old, female and male and the fact that a simple female two-piece had been chosen to open for an all-male veteran Indie band. Comprising just a vocalist and lead guitar player with a drummer, the band’s understated sound wafted through the space like a balmy spring breeze. Reminding me of Canadian female-fronted band Alvvays, The Cords’ tunes were light and soft and perfect for a spring evening. Hailing from Scotland these two sisters effortlessly played their tunes which were sometimes folky, sometimes pop punk but always tuneful, playful and an instantly familiar but fresh take on bygone genres.
After a break in the music, which felt like an eternity, The Charlatans entered the stage to a now packed-out space. This gig had sold out weeks if not months before, and as I turned around to see a mass of people all eagerly awaiting their appearance, I knew this night would be as memorable as every other time I have been privileged enough to see this legendary band. Having just released their fourteenth studio album We are Love back in October of last year, tonight marked the band’s return to Sheffield almost three-quarters of the way through their UK tour.
The evening’s tunes were an intriguing mix of classic favourites, new songs and even one or two hidden album gems from their historical back catalogue. With his wardrobe changing nearly as often as his hair colour, frontman Tim Burgess oozed charisma from the moment he stepped onstage. Hypnotically enticing the audience to dance and sing, his ability to draw in a crowd must be part of the reason that the band are still able to sell out venues of this size, several decades after they first exploded onto the scene.
Singles such as “The Only one I know, One to Another and North Country Boy” are timeless classics which always feature on a Charlatans setlist but never lose their appeal. Perhaps because unlike other bands of this era, The Charlatans have managed to capture a moment in time that still sounds fresh and appealing today. New song “Kingdom of Ours” was chosen as the introduction. An intriguing song which swirls and moves like a powerful wave crashing down on those beneath it.
I think it serves to hail as the anthem of the evening. This band are often asked what it is that has held them together over the years which has seen them endure both setbacks, financial losses and the tragic death of two of its members. Not quite survivors, I’d say that The Charlatans are a band that refuse to give up, writing music that moves with the times whilst retaining a familiar sound. I love the line in this song that kicked off the evening :” We picked ourselves up off the floor, we dusted us down best we could” which tells a tale of endurance.
After a strong fifteen song set, the band returned to the stage for four more songs, which included a lovely mix of early single “Can’t get out of bed”, album tracks “Here comes a Soul Saver” and “Judas” before ending as they always do with the last song on their debut album (Some Friendly) “Sproston Green” which is a small village in Cheshire. As the evening came to an explosive finish, fans donning their bright-green coloured “Sproston” jumpers and t-shirts pushed their way to the front to dance their hearts out to this classic tune.
This track is The Charlatans’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger” in the sense that is has the power to unite fans every time it is played and never loses its charm.
Haven’t had the chance to see The Charlatans live yet? If you’re quick you can still catch them at Aberdeen or Edinburgh this week. Tickets available HERE
📸 Credit – Joe Griffiths
FOR MORE TOP BANDS COMING OUT OF SHEFFIELD 👉 HERE