The Charlatans @ Bingley Music Live 2007
By Ben SmithAs festival season 2007 draws to a close, I hopped on the train from Leeds for the 2nd day (and inaugural Sunday) of Bingley Music Live.
Walking into Myrtle Park as the rain began, we were kindly asked to dispense of our umbrellas by the jovial event staff. Perhaps the main reason for this was to ensure that the crowd were united in their adornment of 50p plastic ponchos at "Bingley's version of Glastonbury". Its picturesque surroundings were an inspired choice of venue for event such as this, and the meagre £7.50 cost for tickets no doubt helped in ensuring a sizeable crowd for the event.
Arriving in time to see The Dead 60s uptempo Scouse-by-numbers, I can't say they're a band I'll be desperate to revisit but they did offer a welcome respite from the growing dampness.
Milburn, as one rather vocal member of the crowd suggested, showed that a band can in fact "make a living from ripping-off the Arctic Monkeys".
Next up were The Twang, who seemed fully intent on upsetting every parent with child in the crowd, seemingly introducing every song with the swear words and references to drug taking and fornicating. Clearly they hadn't read from the stage guide marked "family fun". Coming across as part Happy Mondays, part The Streets, singles "Wide Awake" and "Either Way" provided the sing-along moments of the day so far.
Which brings me around nicely to headliners The Charlatans. Performing well-worn fan favourites such as "The Only One I Know", "One To Another" and "How High" as the obligatory few "new songs" which didn't set the heart racing, the majority of the crowd who had come to see them were treated to a large dose of 90s nostalgia. Despite at times appearing to be going through the motions somewhat, "Wonderland" single "Love Is The Key", showed that when they step out of their comfort zone, the band still has the ability to produce some inspired moments.
