The Charlatans + Ride @ Corona Theatre▪

It would have to be a show of this magnitude to get me out of my nice warm house and into the outside world on this, the coldest day in Montreal in 14 years or something. I’m a little concerned that such frigid conditions may deter those who were on the fence from coming out, but by the time the first of tonight’s co-headliners hits the stage at 8pm, it’s apparent that nothing was keeping people away tonight; Theatre Corona is packed upstairs and down. Two legendary British indie bands playing landmark albums in their entirety? Clearly, Montreal wouldn’t miss it for the world!

First up are The Charlatans, and a set focussed on their sophomore 1992 record Between 10^th and 11^th. In the spirit of full disclosure as a lifelong Charlatans fan who grew up the town across from frontman Tim Burgess, I’m ashamed to confess that it’s a record I never really visited that often; for me, 1995’s self-titled and 1997’s Tellin’ Stories were the go-to records of my youth. As a result, hearing them play this relatively unfamiliar record live, its almost like hearing an old record for the first time, and as the Wurlitzers swirl and the bass wanders, you realize just how perfectly it captures the early 90s alternative scene in the UK. It’s crazy to think this is probably what a Charlatans show in 1992 would have been like; indeed, Tim looks like he hasn’t aged a day as he patrols the stage throughout (the peroxide blond bob probably helps, mind…).

Between 10^th and 11^th is played from top to bottom for the most part (minus Subtitle altogether, and with (No One) Not Even the Rain moved up a little), with the highlight unquestionably being the timeless Weirdo, which still bridges the gap between the 90s alternative and rave scenes better than anything else did at the time, or has done since. “Good times!” proclaims Tim as they reach the end of the album run-through; no doubt!

The final third of the set is a whistle-stop tour of the other gems of the band’s discography, which is absolutely amazing, threatening to destroy my vocal cords by 9pm. One To Another leads into The Only One I Know, which leads into North Country Boy until the 75-minute set wraps up with Sproston Green from their 1990 Some Friendly debut. A glorious nostalgia trip from start to finish, and my efforts to brave the Montreal tundra are already fully justified and rewarded before I even think about the second headliners!

The Charlatans Setlist

I Don’t Want to See the Sights
Ignition
Page One
Tremolo Song
Can’t Even Be Bothered
Weirdo
Chewing Gum Weekend
(No One) Not Even the Rain
The End of Everything
Can’t Get Out of Bed
Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over
One To Another
The Only One I Know
North Country Boy
Sproston Green

Ride on stage at Corona Theatre in Montreal

Ride are celebrating their 1990 debut Nowhere, and after frontman Andy Bell addresses the elephant in the room (“-25, what’s that about?!”), the band run through that record meticulously; same order and no omissions. Seagull is a thunderous start that obliterates the ‘shoegaze’ label they have often carried, while In a Different Place brings almost power ballad vibes (but not quite). Mark Gardener sounds almost Billy Corgan-esque on Decay as he snarls over Loz Colbert’s thumping bass drum.

The timeless Vapour Trail unsurprisingly draws the biggest cheers of the set, eliciting a sizeable singalong around the room, before Mark shifts to a Bob Dylan stance as he dons that harmonica-wielding headgear on album closer Nowhere. Another absolute gem; these kinds of album-tribute shows are so good for reminding you how good an album is!

After a brief pause, the band return for a short encore that consists of up-tempo new song Monaco and the anthemic Leave Them All Behind from 1992’s Going Blank Again, which provides an immense conclusion to the 75-minute set. A stellar night, no doubt, and only one question left to answer as I head out into the night.

Is my car going to start?!