Gig review: The Charlatans at O2 Academy Leeds

Since establishing themselves as one of the best indie/Britpop bands of the 1990s, Tim Burgess and his pals are still performing with style more than two decades on.

Moreover, their loyal fans are still turning out in force to see them and their latest visit to Leeds left a packed 02 Academy longing for more.

After a fine set from Manchester support act The Blinders, The Charlatans played many of their classics to a nostalgic, adoring crowd.

Burgess is a brilliant frontman and took centre stage during an outstanding performance which lasted nearly two hours.

Dripping with baggy charm and charisma and resplendent in a jumper he could have owned for twenty years, the 50-year-old has lost none of his stage presence over time.

His vocal chords aren’t bad either, and the sound quality of this gig was faultless, with guitarists Martin Blunt and Mark Collins similarly on top form throughout.

The Charlies opened with Not Forgotten and Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over from 1995.

The band’s newer material from their latest album Different Days was as well received as the classics such as Tellin’ Stories, One To Another, Weirdo and North Country Boy, proving they are still as relevant today.

The Charlatans over their long career have always managed to keep things sounding fresh but also sticking to the band’s unmistakable sound.

The encore finished with a rousing rendition of Sproston Green which predictably went down a storm.

On this evidence, The Charlatans should be around for some time yet.