The Charlatans @ The Gov, Adelaide 11/10/2022
One of the UK’s finest, most enduring and best loved bands The Charlatans returned to Adelaide for their thirty second anniversary after losing a couple years during the Covid years stretching out their thirtieth celebrations. Not sure what a mighty fine band like this gets for clocking up a wonderful thirty years which has given fans thirteen studio albums which have stood the test of time but there is no doubt that this Australian tour was perfect to celebrate this milestone. In short, this gig was top shelf and showed The Charlatans at their very best. It was ninety minutes or so of back to back hits from their illustrious back catalogue. They are an incredible live act and with a handful of shows left on this tour I would be getting a ticket.
Front man Tim Burgess was all smiles as he took to the stage opening with I Don’t Want To See The Sights and Weirdo from Between 10th and 11th. Acknowledging the crowd and saying it was great to be here it was on to Can’t Get Out Of Bed and Then to which Burgess described the later as almost the perfect song and the only thing that was missing was maracas. So Oh from Modern Nature followed with Burgess saying that they have a lot to get through and that they would take their time to enjoy the moment. Burgess is quite the front man, has the dance moves but really knew how to engage and work the crowd.
Dedicated to the girls in the audience You’re So Pretty – We’re So Pretty was awesome as was Sleepy Little Sunshine Boy. Encouraging fans to put their arms up in the air it was awesome watching the crowd singing the words to big single Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over back to the band. Burgess grabbed his phone to take some footage of the crowd and give some lucky fans down the front a high five. Hooley dooley big chart single One To Another would have been at the top of the highlights reel. Even Burgess said that was “banging” and that the next would require an “adjustment, a different mindset.
A Man Needs To Be Told and Tremelo Song were tops and Burgess reflected on playing The Gov for the third time. It is an absolute treat being able to see a band of his ilk play at The Gov and being this close to them literally eye balling them. I liked Plastic Machinery but Can’t Even Be Bothered was a massive highlight and unexpected with Burgess commenting “we have no reason to play it, we haven’t played it in Australia and it’s not like we are re-issuing the album”. The die hard fans would have been stoked to hear this one.
The Only One I Know had a “really good groove on it” and what a way to end the set with two of their biggest hits North Country Boy and How High. Wowsers! Needed a sit down after that! The band weren’t done by any stretch and with the tongue in cheek comment from Burgess that the walk from the backstage area was a lot further than it looks there was more UK indie rock awesomeness in Blackened Blue Eyes and Sproston Green. This show was fantastic and I left well satisfied until they return for their next tour.
Live Review By Rob Lyon