While many still dream of a day when the Stone Roses will reunite, the Charlatans were in fact, what the Stone Roses would have been had they been more prolific and had an organ. In fact, when many bands in the \u201cMadchester\u201d scene went out in a blaze of drugs, self-destruction, and bad decisions, the Charlatans emerged unscathed and continued crafting terrific Britpop gems buoyed by their bouncing energy, groovy organ, and Tim Burgess\u2019 hair. Essentially, the Charlatans are a band whose entire body of work is never a letdown. After seeing them play in Chicago in a rare Stateside appearance, their energetic live performance was something every fan in the audience will treasure and brag about at the next show they go to.<\/p>\n
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When I arrived at the Bottom Lounge, it was clear that the show was going to be something spectacular. All the people there were clear Britpop fans who all brought with them memories of seeing other great English musicians and bands such as Johnny Marr, Ride, and of course the Smiths. Thinking that the Charlatans never toured the US, I was surprised when some guys told me of when they saw them in New York in 1998 or sometime later and regaled me with tales of Tim Burgess\u2019 eccentricities such as performing in a heavy jacket in the harsh New York summer. Whatever his deal was, I replied, he earned it and also, I was just there for Burgess\u2019 hair. After sharing a laugh, we all hunkered down for the show to begin.<\/p>\n
The band that opened up for the Charlatans, was a band called Frankiie from Canada. Made up of four women, Frankiie\u2019s dreamy melodies and layered harmonies reminded me of the Staples, the Band, and the Growlers. While not the ideal band to set the stage for a lively act like the Charlatans, Frankiie nevertheless put in a solid performance. Their lush and measured instrumentation provided a nice change of pace from the usual raucous and underwhelming opening acts I have seen at several shows. More importantly too, the band members looked like they were having fun playing a packed house. Being that it was their first Chicago appearance, Frankiie looked confident playing onstage, joking with themselves and the audience while also hyping everyone for when the Charlatans would take the stage.<\/p>\n
When it came time for the sons of Manchester to appear onstage, the members strode right to their places and immediately launched into their set. Tim Burgess and his bright-blonde locks walked on alongside his bandmates, opening with the song \u201cTotally Eclipsing\u201d from their recent EP of the same name. As the organ kept the funk going, the guitar roared and the drummer crashed out those great, bouncing rhythms that characterized the Charlatans across their career. While a bit worn, Burgess\u2019 reedy vocals settled comfortably as the band played. Things were going well with each thrust of Tim Burgess\u2019 hips to the music, until around the third song when the energy of the show skyrocketed past eleven. The catalyst of this change was the absolute banger \u201cOne to Another\u201d off their album Tellin\u2019 Stories<\/em>. The relentless piano and the frantic pace of the song along with its bouncing rhythm was a sign of the band\u2019s potent vitality. Furthermore, it seemed as if the set really began when this song kicked off, as the lights flashed in time with the band\u2019s playing and everyone next to me started dancing. If it weren\u2019t for the signs discouraging moshing or crowdsurfing, \u201cOne to Another\u201d would have been the perfect time to do so. In addition, the Charlatans kept the energy going afterwards as their set continued with the jangling ballad \u201cJust When You\u2019re Thinkin\u2019 Things Over\u201d and the Manchester ode, \u201cNorth Country Boy\u201d. When it came time for their smash \u201cThe Only One I Know\u201d, the guy next to me slapped my shoulder repeatedly and screamed,\u201d This is the one we all came here for!\u201d As the organ belted out the opening lick to the song, Burgess stood at the front of the stage with his hands outstretched as if to signify that from him, the Charlatans, and this song emanated the entire onslaught of the great Britpop movement. Also, it seemed to be a reminder that even in this changing tide of musical tastes, \u201cThe Only One I Know\u201d would stand strong forever much more so than Oasis\u2019 \u201cWonderwall\u201d. Symbolism aside, \u201cThe Only One I Know\u201d was the one song to rule them all. The play between the organ and the guitar sounded better live and coupled with the energy from the audience, the song became absolutely stunning. Later on, the band returned for the encore, finishing with the great \u201cThen\u201d and the energetically lovelorn \u201cSpruston Green\u201d off of Some Friendly.<\/em><\/p>\n Altogether, the Charlatans put on one of the best performances I have seen this year. For the longest time, I believed that in order to see them I would have had to go to England, but luckily such was not the case. After almost thirty years, the Charlatans\u2019 energy and knack for playing some of the best music has thankfully not abated. Although Burgess\u2019 vocals seemed a bit thin, the band still possessed that vitality and everyone in the audience felt their energy spill out onstage. The set, quite simply, was perfect even though they did leave out \u201cOver Rising\u201d, which was more than made up for with \u201cOne to Another\u201d For more on The Charlatans, click here<\/a><\/p>\n For photos from The Charlatans live in Chicago at The Bottom Lounge, click here<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/beintheloopchicago.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/The-Charlatans-UK-live-in-Chicago-at-Bottom-Lounge-09-25-18-14-1024x683.jpg\")
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\nand \u201cThe Only One I Know\u201d. Regardless, it was a great night to be at the Bottom Lounge and a Britpop fan.<\/p>\n