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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson
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Okay so yes this was delayed by the pandemic so its now 31 years later, but at least we had something to look forward to past Christmas!
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Support was provided by Martin Carr and What Future who were rocky, loud and gave a good start to the evening. Martin is known as the songwriter and lead guitarist with the Boo Radleys, but anyone waiting for “Wake Up Boo!” would have been disappointed. Of course a musician should be judged by his current situation and Martin seems to have a great bunch of talented musicians and some fabulous songs so really wasn’t a disappointment at all.
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Tim Burgess was tweeting in the run up to the start of the Charlatans set which was an unexpected addition to the build up of excitement. He is also the first person I’ve seen on stage taking videos throughout the performance – half the time it was not clear if they were selfies or crowd shots but he seemed happy and it made me feel less guilty for grabbing a few memento clips too.
Gloriously he has posted one on their social media today and I can see myself easily hanging over the barrier at the front!
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The Charlatans were such a big thing in the 90s, who didn’t love them?! So its amazing to get to see them all this time later and be transported back to our 20s, or teens. The crowd was definitely “up for it” jumping and grinning like crazy things, hands in the air, absolutely living in the moment – at the same time as totally reliving their earlier years.
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Images courtesy of Dod Morrison
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They played a mixture of new songs and the old, much loved, hits. In the background was a slideshow of video clips and photos from through the years. One man behind me was excited to point out to his friends a ticket from when they played with Ride, presumably he was there! Sometimes such backdrops can be distracting but this was subtly done and added to the experience.
Even Tim watched some of it, it must be a bit surreal to share memories with so many people you haven’t actually met, and again he was grinning happily – along with the rest of us!
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Being a Librarian by day I was very excited when they did Future Tense featuring a reading by Ian Rankin, the text appeared on the big screen at the back as we heard him read it and then the fantastic song kicked off, a truly memorable moment for me. Similarly Tim mentioned meeting a person on the train up and asking what their favourite song was so he dedicated A Man Needs To Be Told to them.
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The encore was Sproston Green, Tim said it would be a long version and it was, although I think some of us would have happily had it last much longer!
An awesome night all round, just a shame it was pouring when we left, although I think some people from the mosh pit needed cooling down!! Thwarted my plan of waiting at the stage door though..
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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