Biography
Since breaking through in 1990 The Charlatans have become one of the UKโs most beloved and enduring bands, their indie roots the focal point of a sound that has taken in everything from psychedelia to soul and funk via country rock.
In a history now stretching beyond 30 years, The Charlatans have crafted a back catalogue of enviable depth and variety, taking in three UK #1 albums (โSome Friendlyโ, โThe Charlatansโ, โTellinโ Storiesโ) and another seven Top 10 records. Theyโre an albums band with numerous iconic hits, with the classic Top 10 singles โThe Only One I Knowโ, โOne To Anotherโ, โNorth Country Boyโ and โHow Highโ plus another eighteen Top 40 hits to their name. Many of those moments are captured in their โMelting Potโ hits collection, one of two of their albums to have been certified Platinum.
So many instantly recognisable songs really benefits their live experience, whether theyโre headlining the O2 Academy Brixton and The Royal Albert Hall, or hitting festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading and the Isle of Wight, or striding into stadiums as guests to the likes of Liam Gallagher and Gerry Cinnamon.
Their journey hasnโt been without immense challenges, notably the tragic losses of keyboardist Rob Collins in 1996 and drummer Jon Brookes in 2013. Yet the band – Tim Burgess (vocals), Martin Blunt (bass), Mark Collins (guitar) and Tony Rogers (keys) – have continued their storied legacy. Their previous album, 2017โs โA Different Daysโ, achieved their highest chart position since 2001, and was hailed by The Guardian as โtheir best album in 20 years.โ
2024 saw The Charlatans start the year with a North American co-headline tour with Ride, before playing a selection of UK festivals. Tim Burgess was also presented with the inaugural Northern Music Award by members of New Order, adding to the bandโs previous accolades which include two NME Awards.
Currently preparing to release the 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition of their third album โUp To Our Hipsโ, The Charlatans are also currently making big plans for 2025.
Tragedy struck in 1996 when founding member and keyboard player Rob Collins was killed in a car accident. Despite this devastating loss, The Charlatans continued to create music, and released a string of successful albums throughout the late 1990โs and early 2000โs, including โUp to Our Hipsโ (1994), โTellinโ Storiesโ (1997), and โWonderlandโ (2001).ย Following this, the band sadly lost their drummer Jon Brookes from a brain tumour he was battling in 2013. The band aren’t shy of losses but still continue to push forward to make their fans happy, and to build upon the legacy for their band mates that no longer can.
Throughout their career, The Charlatans have consistently evolved their sound, embracing elements from Britpop and Alternative Rock, whilst remaining true to their unique, signature style. This has earned the band the reputation as musical innovators, and a loyal and dedicated fan base.
As of 2024, The Charlatans are creating new music and touring the world. With a legacy stretching over three decades, the band continue to entertain and inspire their global fanbase with electrifying live performances and timeless songs.
Social Feed
Tellinโ Stories was released as a single on this day in 1997
Canโt lie - this made my day ๐
Weโve loved looking through your #CharlatansTop3 selections - such a range from our 34 years (so far) of making music - not sure Iโve even seen any two the same. Keep em coming
Whatโs your #CharlatansTop3??
Will think of mine
We're pleased to share Donโt Let It Stand AKA Canโt Get Out of Bed (demo version) from Up To Our Hips 30th Anniversary Expanded Edition is available now to stream: https://thecharlatans.ffm.to/dontletitstand
๐ @icelandairwaves here we comeโฆ
https://icelandairwaves.is/
Right now Iโm saying Sonic but tomorrow it might be different ๐
"And she will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found"
Released on this day in 1986, The Pretenders' studio album 'Get Close'.
...-PretendersHQ
Where was your first Pretenders show?
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"Give me a sense of purpose, a real sense of purpose now"
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The Pretenders begin their UK tour tonight at the Guildhall, Portsmouth.
Photo by Mรณnica Garduรฑo
Set Times: Doors - 19:00
@ThePicturebooks - 19:30
The ...Pretenders - 20:30
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Weโre pleased to announce The Pretenders will be coming to Brazil in May 2025 to headline the @c6fest
For more information visit here: http://c6fest.com.br
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'Break Up The Concrete' was released today in 2008, did you see the single 'Boots Of Chinese Plastic' featured in an episode of Breaking Bad?
Listen to the album here: ...https://spoti.fi/4eth8rS
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We regret to inform you that the following Pretenders shows in Paris and Liege are cancelled due to illness. We are so sorry for the inconvenience caused. Thank you for your understanding.
...Ticket holders will be contacted shortly regarding refunds for Lyon, Paris and Liege.
We regret to inform you that tonightโs Pretenders show at Transbordeur in Lyonย is cancelled due to an illness within the band.
We are so sorry for the inconvenience caused. Thank you for ...your understanding.
Celebrating 42 years of โBack On The Chain Gangโ, released as a single this month in โ82!
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Back on the road in Cologne tonight!
7pm โ Doors
8pm โ The Picturebooks
9pm โ The Pretenders
Photo by Indulgent Life Photography
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"Who can explain the thunder and rain, But there's something in the air" - 'Don't Get Me Wrong', the first single from the studio album 'Get Close' was ...released today in 1986. It was The Pretenders' second top 10 single on the Billboard top 100.
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One year of 'Relentless'.
Listen to the album here: https://pretenders.lnk.to/Music
๐ฅ 'Losing My Sense Of Taste', Live from @BBCRadio2 In The Park 2023
...
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The Charlatans on 'With' TV programme early footage from 1993
The Charlatans - Marauder (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - Honesty (Instrumental Strings Version) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - Lot to Say (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - Trouble Understanding (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - Lean In (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - I Need You to Know (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - Let the Good Times Be Never Ending (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - Emilie (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - In the Tall Grass (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - Keep Enough (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)
The Charlatans - Come Home Baby (Instrumental) (Official Visualiser)