It's a brave soul that takes the plunge and risks forking out for a live show at London's most undesirable venue. On the surface seriously over-priced beer, an inflexible no smoking policy and transport chaos - as 14,000 revelers flood the concrete complex - suggests an evening in front of Pop Idol might be preferable. As it turns out, The Charlatans have other ideas.
Tim Burgess might well be enjoying the sunshine party of his adopted home town L.A., but don't think that the eternally youthful frontman is considering an early showbiz retirement. In fact, the opposite is true. The Charlatans are on fire at the moment, rejuvenated with one of their finest albums to date in 'Wonderland', slipping out of the musical straitjacket of their Madchester roots and selling out Arenas in the process.
Tonight's set mixes the best of their back-catalogue (a stark reminder of how many cracking tunes they have in their canon) and a self-assured sprinkle of 'Wonderland's' peaks. Resplendent in velvet cap and chenin scarf, Burgess certainly bears resemblance to his hero Bob Dylan and has a similar approach to vocal duties. The pitch isn't perfect but the passion and charisma are all present and correct.
Opening with 'Love Is The Key' and 'Judas' he moves comfortably from funky falsetto to Mancunian rasp while the rest of the band provide the professional funk inspired sound that is characteristic of the new record. It is testament to the Charlatans confident (non-arrogant) self-belief that these songs are equally well received as old favourites like 'Weirdo', 'The Only One I Know' and the fantastic bass/loop blast of 'One To Another'.
When Burgess introduces Manc guitar legend Johnny Marr to the crowd it is clear that The Charlatans are entering legendary status themselves. Marr brings a fiercer almost heavier guitar fuzz to the proceedings and hangs around for a banging joyously uplifting finale of 'Sproston Green' which winds itself up into a splenetic feverous jam.
After over a decade of being labeled indie chancers with a few solid student friendly tunes the Charlatans are finally moving towards rock's hall of fame and getting the respect they so richly deserve.
