The time is now, the place is Wrexham and the mood was expectant, enter The Charlatans, armed with new songs and ready to play to their faithful.
My day started at 12:30 when I finished work, picked up a mate and headed north from Bristol. Got to Wrexham at about 15:45 and found the Hotel straight away, it looked like the Ritz of Wrexham! Expected it to be a tiny little B&B but it was cool - it had a huge bar too!!! Hooray!
We then did the inevitable, checked out the venue and found a good pub - the landlord was even on the guest list, the town was gripped with Charlatans fever! So we had a few beers then it was time to freshen up and get ready for the main event. My mate Les is a veteran of these things so he prepared himself with a quick 40 winks while I sloped off to the hotel bar.
I met up with a couple of people who were also off to the gig, one was an experienced and knowledgeable charlies devotee who had bussed it from Middlesborough (what was your name mate - I can't remember!!! but respect!). Well, we sat discussing music etc and out of the corner of my eye I noticed someone walk past our table, dressed in black and I turned around - it was Tim!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it!! He was in the bar, I said "fookin hell it's Tim Burgess - he's here!" Then I was in a dilemma - could I go up to him? I never thought I would have the courage, but I had to grab the opportunity and get his autograph - I was unsure and didn't want to invade his privacy but I was egged on to go for it! So I spoke to him - he was dead cool, just as I expected him to be, really really brilliant! I was literally shaking when I sat back down, I couldn't believe I'd met him - never ever thought I would be so lucky.
It didn't stop there though cause the rest of the band gradually filtered down, one by one and I got the full set! Spoke to the lot of them, had a great chat with Johnny Brookes and Tony Rogers about the new songs and the website. I said it would be great if Love is the Key went to No 1 and Johnny said he'd love it if that happened. Johnny was really chatty - top bloke - I patted him on the shoulder and wished him good luck for the gig and left them to it.
So I've got the whole bands autographs on someone's business cards - gonna get them framed with the ticket and a postcard of Wrexham! I couldn't stop turning round and looking at them!!! Never expected to be in the same bar with them it was a really surreal experience. The Charlatans were in my area and I had access!!!!!!
Time was marching on though, it was about 21:00, the time they were supposed to start playing so I went back to Johnny and asked him when they were going to start he laughed and said - Fuck know's!!!" Really Funny! We stayed in the bar till The Charlatans were ushered off to the venue - they had to be peeled away from the bar!!!! There were some serious looking blokes who took them to the venue!
The biggest impression I got from meeting them was how normal they were - just like your mates - and that is fantastic!!! I also noticed that they were so well groomed - not a hair out of place and looking so relaxed and confident - I thought they might have been a bit grubbier!!! Top Top people - everything I wanted them to be. Tim, especially so, is a superstar - he is a treasure - the way he carries himself, the look he has, it's an inspiration to us all - he is so special.
Well after all that, there was still a gig to go to!!!!!!! We walked over to the Central Station venue, got another beer from the bar and got ready to welcome the band back. We weren't there that long when the music died and the lights went, Forever opened the set and I managed to get to the second row!!!
Tim was all smiles as usual - a really big happy grin graced his face - he looked so happy and I was so close to the stage - it was great, the songs were as brilliant as ever. The venue wasn't fantastic acoustically, it had a high ceiling like a warehouse, but you don't really expect it to be the very best when you see them play at a warm-up - its more like a family occasion than anything else. They sounded on top form so you can't criticise the sound system or anything, I know how brilliant they always sound. It was an absolute privilege to be there.
The old stuff sounded as great as ever and the new stuff sounded fantastic, even if Tim was suffering a bit with his vocals (he was a bit ill), the melodies that shone through were great, its always strange hearing new stuff but this sounded really promising. Sounded new, sounded fresh, sounded cool. I really loved the gig, the crowd were great and friendly, I even managed to stay at the front for the entire set! I normally get crushed to death and have to retire to the back after a couple of tracks! The new stuff sounds great, the band played great and I can't wait for the December tour or even the next Warm-up gig!!!!!!
After I'd dropped my mate off in Bath I drove back to Bristol and was a little bit tearful - you can't admit it to your mates (it's a man thing!). I was genuinely moved to tears that I'd met the band and it really hit me then, what had actually happened the night before - all my dreams came true - misty eyes! A perfect experience.
Anyway I should sign off by saying, that was the best night of my life - it really was mega - I met the band, heard them play new tracks and I went back down the M6 a very happy person. Thank you. Please come and play Bristol Colston Hall again!