MUSIC: Charlatans to perform new album in Dublin show

THE CHARLATANS will be performing songs from their new album ‘Different Days’ when they play Dublin’s The Academy on Sunday, December 10.

This, the band’s thirteenth album, was co-produced with Jim Spencer at their studio in Cheshire and features contributions from an array of friends, from Paul Weller and Johnny Marr to crime writer Ian Rankin and writer/actress Sharon Horgan. 

For this new album, the core quartet of vocalist Tim Burgess, bassist Martin Blunt, guitarist Mark Collins and keyboard player Tony Rogers, opened their doors to allow an enviable cast of friends to contribute to their latest work.

Initially, this happened out of necessity, following the passing of founding drummer Jon Brookes in 2013.

The first call went to Pete Salisbury, the former Verve drummer. Then Anton Newcombe from Brian Jonestown Massacre was sent an early version of ‘Not Forgotten’ and had sent back some thoughts within 15 minutes.

The admiration for the band’s new ideas continued, as Johnny Marr dropped by for an hour but stayed for five and features on three songs including the leading single ‘Plastic Machinery’.

Similarly, Stephen Morris, of New Order, who briefly helped out on ‘Modern Nature’, extended his role on this album to seven tracks of drumming and programming.

Both Ian Rankin and Kurt Wagner offer spoken word contributions and Catastrophe writer/actress, and old friend of Tim’s, Sharon Horgan, sings backing vocals on ‘Different Days’. As the spirit of collaboration prospered, Burgess fast-tracked a long-discussed team-up with Paul Weller to record the expansive, album finale, ‘Spinning Out’.

‘Different Days’ follows on from the success of The Charlatans last album ‘Modern Nature’ which drew critical praise across the board. 

It notched up their eighth Top Ten on the album chart and was all capped off with a lifetime achievement award from Q magazine.

The Charlatans had a whirlwind couple of years, completing two sold-out UK tours, world tours, popping up as an unannounced opening act at Glastonbury, and headlining at the Isle of Wight and Kendall Calling festivals among others.

The album will be available on 12” vinyl, CD, cassette, limited edition clear 12” vinyl, download and a special edition collection of five 7” singles featuring 10 tracks from the album. 

All formats are on the website www.TheCharlatans.lnk.to/DifferentDaysPR