The Charlatans

RACHEL BULLER

> UEA LCR, Norwich

They might have been around since the heady days of Madchester – but the Charlatans show no sign of tiring.

Last night at the UEA the original North Country Boys rocked up a storm. Playing material from their last album, Up At the Lake, and a mixture of their countless classics to keep the older indie kids happy, it was a blistering set.

Tim Burgess is still one of the coolest front men around and Tony Rogers' keyboard wizardry had the whole venue dancing.

The Charlatans may not have the chart appeal of some of the younger bands but live they cannot be beaten. Highlights were Weirdo, One to Another, and How High, with Tim showing his softer side with two heart -stopping performances of A Man Needs to be Told and The Magical Sounding Impossible.

When they encored with The Only One I Know the crowd almost danced through the floor.

Also worth a mention are Thirteen Senses, their hottly-tipped support band.