主播大秀

Oh Madchester, so much to answer for. The Mondays, The Roses and, yes, The Charlatans. Great bands one and all. Ok, so they may not hold quite as exalted a position in the rock 'n' roll firmament as certain groups spawned by that legendary scene, but regardless, over the last decade and a half the Charlatans have been one of indie-rock's most beloved, most remarkably resilient bands.

Promoting their latest greatest, 'Forever', tonight's gig serves up hit after hit. Ballsy opener, the tour titular, 'Forever' pays tribute to lives well spent and creative longevity, a fact emphasised by the subsequent, potent rendering of recent single, 'Blackened Blue Eyes'.

Burgess artfully plays the part of Manc messiah, peeking out from behind tousled fringe, arms outstretched as he leads his northern soul rebels through their paces. He is at his charismatic best for 'Weirdo', gripping the microphone like a weapon; from side to side the boy keeps swinging, cutting through the air, a swaggering, sonic samurai. The song itself is a bleeping colossus, all keyboard splutter and raking guitar, frenzied drums and baggy bass, all Charlatans' trademarks, all welcomed by the buoyant Ulster Hall crowd.

The back to back bombardment of 'One To Another' and 'The Only One I Know' provides a devastating double whammy, the latter song a particular delight, sublime organ and escalating bass getting both the leery lads, who remember the first time, and awkward indie kids dancing like it's 1990. Beautiful. Just when we're thinking it's over they wheel out yet more heavy hitters, songs like the peacock strutting 'How High', the anthemic 'You're So Pretty, We're So Pretty' and emotion charged, 'Indian Rope'.

Clearly these are no false prophets; the Charlatans are the real deal, a truly great band with great songs. They encore with 'North Country Boy', guitars twanging and vocal plaintive. The lights pick out the giant backdrop, dousing it in a purple haze, the band's name spelt out in letters 20 feet high. Just in case we needed reminding, we're walking in a Charlatans' wonderland.

Francis Jones