Culture Music Live music

Tim Burgess at Islington Assembly Hall

Tim Burgess at Islington Assembly Hall | Live review

Many of us will recognise mop-haired Brit rock legend Tim Burgess as the lead singer of The Charlatans, who have achieved seventeen top 30 singles and four top 10 hits in the UK singles chart since 1989. But tonight at Islington’s Assembly Hall in North London, fans are gathered for Tim’s solo material and his most recent album: Oh No I Love You.

Burgess takes to the stage sporting a Nike jumper, jeans and his trademark blond bowl-cut, rousing applause from the crowd – all avid fans of the lead Charlatan. White, the first track off the new album, features a delicious piano riff reminiscent of The Strokes. Burgess’ vocals have a creamy, soothing texture – the song is almost psychedelic, and the audience loves it. Other impressive new material includes the funky The Great Outdoors, Bitches and a tender, touching performance of A Case for Vinyl. Before this recent album, it had been nine years since Burgess had released any of his solo endeavours – and so as different as the new material may be compared with The Charlatans’ music, it is warmly welcomed and celebrated by the crowd. 

The audience are treated to some festive numbers including Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, to which the entire hall merrily sing along. Tim carries a naturally endearing and irresistible aura that draws listeners in – the London crowd fall in love with him all over again tonight.

 

Gemma Whitfield
Photos: Francesca Capra

For further information and future events visit Tim Burgess’s website here.

Watch the video for White here:

More in Live music

Shawn Mendes at the O2 Arena

Talitha Stowell

All Points East 2025: Sault, Cleo Sol and Chronixx

Emily Downie

Morcheeba at South Facing Festival 2025

Sunny Morgan

The Smashing Pumpkins at Gunnersbury Park

Hannah Broughton

The Libertines at Gunnersbury Park

Nina Doroushi

Catfish and the Bottlemen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Gem Hurley

BBC Proms 2025: Soul Revolution at the Royal Albert Hall

Cristiana Ferrauti

Imagine Dragons at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Katherine Parry

BBC Proms 2025: The Great American Songbook and Beyond with Samara Joy

Constance Ayrton