An Exclusive Look Into The Charlatans Secret Gig in Collaboration With Modern English

Charlotte Williams | 11th November 2017

“It’s not everyday you get to play in an office”, The Charlatans front man Tim Burgess addresses the audience of around fifty selected guests packed within the Northern Quarter’s Modern English offices.

Tim Burgess of The Charlatans- Photography by Karin Albisson

Prominent Mancunian figures including Oasis’ Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs and professional skater Ben Grove gathered on Friday 10th November, to celebrate the launch of Modern English’s newest collaboration with the iconic, indie band The Charlatans.

Modern English, a Manchester based digital production company, were excited to launch their brand new interactive app, which allows fans to explore an archive of every Charlatans single, a brand new remix and exclusive footage and content throughout the band’s twenty-eight year career.

We caught up with Bruce Thomas, founder and Business Development Director of Modern English, as well as Steve Lawson, Managing Director.

The Modern English team with Tim Burgess of The Charlatans- Photography by Karin Albisson

Hi guys, how was it working with The Charlatans?

Steve: It was challenging, the timelines were tight, but it’s The Charlatans, and they just played a gig in our office! So you can’t really complain can you?

Amazing! So you’ve worked with some huge names before, how did working with The Charlatans compare?

Bruce: We get to work with some really great bands like Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, so mostly American bands. My girlfriend asked me, ‘why don’t you work with a Manchester band like the Charlatans?’ and we all love The Charlatans of course!

Have you worked with The Charlatans before?

Bruce: We actually did a project with Tim Burgess and his solo album, about four years ago, which was a remix tool where you could remix his newest single. So, we got together again, I got in touch with Tim, and decided to turn their app- inspired art into a piece of technology.

Sounds great, we heard you recently won an award for your Foo Fighters collaboration, also?

Bruce: We did indeed, we actually won two! It was great working with them, but it’s amazing to work with a Manchester based band like The Charlatans as well.

The exclusive event offered its small audience of press, and some lucky fans, an unplugged set from The Charlatans, alongside full catering by Kelly’s Kitchen. Fans could enjoy a full portion of sizzling paella topped with fresh sprigs of herbs and grab a complimentary beer or two, whilst Tim Burgess and Mark Collins played hits such as The Only One I Know and Different Days.

Kelly’s Kitchen- Photography by Karin Albisson

The event offered fans a rare, intimate perspective of the band, with chilled, acoustic renditions of their usual alternative indie rock. As the crowd sang along to the softer notes of The Only One I Know, without its renowned ‘Madchester’ funk guitar riff, Burgess announced “It’s not everyday you get to play in an office, but it’s not an office today, is it? This is a live performance, in a space, just for you guys.”

Video by Ingrid Lisman

The Charlatans’ new single Over Again is released on December 1st 2017, and don’t miss the band’s next Manchester performance the next day in the O2 Apollo.