The Charlatans & Friends - Royal Albert Hall - Fri 18 Oct '13

Live Reviews

A night for Jon Brookes the Charlatan’s drummer who sadly passed away earlier this year was held at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity last Friday (18th October). 

‘Dumb’ were first on, ‘early doors’. A young Birmingham band who Jon managed played a solid twenty minute set. Bearing in mind the luminaries back stage at the time, they showed no sign of nerves and put in a very workman like indie rock performance.

 

Adrian Chiles was the compere for the evening with the Chemical Brothers DJing between sets. Up next was a stage  full of musicians from New Order, (Joy Division), The Vaccines and  James Walborne currently in Edwyn’s Collins band. Tim Burgess took on lead vocals as they whipped through Love Vigilantes (New Order cover), Melody Calling (Vaccines cover) and a triumphant, Love Will Tear Us Apart to finish off.

 

A solo James Dean Bradfield gave us an acoustic Manic Street Preachers set of Motorcycle Emptiness, A Design for Life and If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next. This was actually a very powerful set, just right for the occasion.

 

Another special happening was the return to Liam Gallaher’s side of original Oasis guitarist Bonehead. A two song segment with ‘Live Forever’ and ‘Columbia’ had everyone on their feet and arms aloft.

 

The Charlatans’ headline performance was nothing short of supersonic. There was a real fire in the belly of the band as they stormed through a set of career spanning songs, in front of an adoring crowd. This very special night, one that will stay in the memory for a long time to come.

 

 

Charlatans set;

 

Forever  

Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over

North Country Boy  

Blackened Blue Eyes   

Just Lookin'  

The Only One I Know  

Oh! Vanity  

One To Another  

Here Comes A Soul Saver  

My Beautiful Friend   

Then  

How High

 

Encore:

 

My Sweet Lord (with Liam Gallagher)

Sproston Green

 

What also stays in the memory and the forefront of mind is the ethos and the work of The Brain Tumour Charity for whom the evening was designed to benefit. A heart wrenching and statically shocking video was shown during the course of the evening, which left no one in doubt for the need of such a charitable organisation, A raffle draw on the night alone raised a magnificent £5,000

 

If you couldn't make it to the gig but still want to show your support, you can donate online now or text JON to 70123 to give £5. If you want further information or, would like to help, the charity’s Website is Here