They may only be seventeen, but remarkably they ooze musical maturity; Notably Vocalist Robert Harvey’s style is not dissimilar to a young Robert Plant, but he carries it with enough suss and confidence to cut quite a unique, contemporary edge.

Dig a little deeper into the fuzzed up psych-out and The Music are quite happy to flaunt influenced smatterings of The Verve circa A Storm In Heaven and The Stone Roses. With their second single ‘You Might As Well…’ it’s defiant in its lyrical stance, but blissful in all its lengthy, gradual indulgence. Let’s just hope their career doesn’t live fast and die young. It’s a sure bet their hosts would have a few survival tips to share.

Eleven years have seen The Charlatans fight some tough situations, Embezzlement by a former accountant, the untimely death of original keyboard player Rob Collins and singer Tim Burgess’s relocation to LA. But their latest album Wonderland serves a slap in the face of adversity.

It’s a reinvented sound. Gone is the top heavy Hammond organ/guitar hybrid. In its place an incredibly funky, sensuous vibe, topped by Burgess’s Curtis Mayfield meets Manchester falsetto.

The awesome stomp of Love Is The Key and the lounge, steel pedalled groove of A Man Needs To Be Told pushes it to the fore. Hey, the dude’s got soul…and a fashion problem. Sporting a huge furry jacket, I resisted the temptation of shouting out that the ice rink was next door.

With Wonderland, you just know it’s the kick they need into the super league and deservedly so. As a live force they’re pretty formidable, the band’s relaxed, happy vibe tonight proof of their confidence. The future is indeed bright, but the past still glitters.

With a huge Cheshire cat grin, Burgess looked genuinely surprised and humbled at the crowd reaction to The Only One I Know. How High, Weirdo and North Country Boy, continued to fuel the enthusiastic mosh-a-thon. Tonight truly showed, how great their legacy is.

Vicky Sparks