The Charlatans/Ride first embarked on a co-headlining tour in early 2023. The double bill got another Stateside run out with both bands playing albums in full. This time, Ride showcased their debut Nowhere (released 1990) and The Charlatans aired their sophomore album Between 10th and 11th (1992).
Commonality between both bands might be difficult to agree on. Pressed by this writer pre-gig, the audience consensus focused on, musically, a fondness for riffs and a penchant for psychedelic sounds (man). Sartorially, great hair – Tim Burgess rocks a platinum blonde bob; Andy Bell favours a modish feather cut.
Anthony Gibbons
Anthony is a music fan and former music industry insider who contributed articles to many a now-defunct music magazine or website. He tried his hand at music PR but wasn’t particularly good at it (editor’s note: Mr Gibbons’ words not mine!) Away from music, Anthony is a freelance advertising and marketing executive. Outside of this, he can be found walking the dog, toiling on the allotment, or fending off old age with running and yoga.
Here and Now: Ride
First up, Ride time travel back to Nowhere, played in full, sequentially, with the addition of bonus tracks ‘Taste’, ‘Here and Now’, and ‘Nowhere’ from expanded editions of that album. Standout tracks include ‘In A Different Place’, ‘Dreams Burn Down’, and ‘Vapour Trail’, which features intricate fretwork from Mark Gardener and Bell, propelled by Ride’s rhythm section Steve Queralt and Loz Colbert.
A sort of encore debuts excellent new track ‘Peace Sign’ and an epic ‘Leave Them All Behind’. ‘Peace Sign’ features motoring bass and drums and is due to arrive ‘some time in January’ according to Gardener. It bodes well for talk of a new album.*
Top of the bill
Headlining tonight, The Charlatans’ two-part set omits ‘Subtitle’ and, with a running time of a sprightly 40-ish minutes, a further nine tracks are added. The Between 10th and 11th set feels sluggish in places, even with Tim’s ever-present boyish enthusiasm. However, ‘Tremelo Song’, ‘Weirdo’, and ‘Chewing Gum Weekend’ are real high spots.
Part two highlights the group’s way with big-hitting riffs, delivered by Mark Collins and Martin Blunt, and keyboard-led psychedelic feels from Tony Rogers, particularly on stand-out tracks ‘Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over’, ‘Jesus Hairdo’, and the obligatory ‘The Only One I Know’.
Conclusion
Both bands sets are enthusiastically received – a little too much judging by something being smoked in the crowd – but this seems fitting given the music being played, and the historic nature of The Fillmore, a surefire way to start the New Year off on a real high.
*Indeed, ‘Peace Sign’ ‘dropped’ on BBC Radio 6 Music today (11 January) and new LP Interplay will be released on 29 March on Wichita Records.
Ride setlist
Seagull
Kaleidoscope
In a Different Place
Polar Bear
Dreams Burn Down
Decay
Paralysed
Vapour Trail
Taste
Here and Now
Nowhere
Peace Sign
Leave Them All Behind
The Charlatans setlist
I Don’t Want to See the Sights
Ignition
Page One
Tremelo Song
Can’t Even Be Bothered
Weirdo
Chewing Gum Weekend
(No One) Not Even the Rain
The End of Everything
With No Shoes
Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over
One to Another
Toothache
Come Home Baby
Jesus Hairdo
North Country Boy
The Only One I Know
Sproston Green
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3 replies on “The Charlatans/Ride double bill gig review”
[…] is a music fan and former music industry insider who contributed articles to many a now-defunct music magazine or website. He tried his hand at music PR but wasn’t […]
[…] As per your debut LP (on Lemonpop Recs), Mark Gardener of RIDE produced your follow-up. What are his outstanding production qualities that lead you to […]
[…] Anthony is a music fan and former music industry insider. He contributed articles to many a now-defunct music magazine or website. He tried his hand at music PR but wasn’t particularly good at it (editor’s note: Mr Gibbons’s words not mine!) Away from music, Anthony is a freelance advertising and marketing executive. Outside of this, he can be found walking the dog, toiling on the allotment, or fending off old age with running and yoga. […]