Charlatans – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN – September 16, 2026

Charlatans (with Two Harbors)  – September 16, 2026 at Fine Line, Minneapolis, MN

Review and photos by Jim Zons

Some of my favorite music comes from the alt rock / progressive music of the late 1980s / early 1990s, so I was pretty excited to learn that one of my favorite bands from that era, the Charlatans (UK), were going to be making a stop in the Twin Cities at the Fine Line … I knew I had to be there!

I arrived early so I could get a spot right up front; there is nothing like the intimacy of the Fine Line for enjoying your favorite band!  First up was the opening act: Two Harbors from Minneapolis.  The Britpop-influenced quartet has been around since 2010 and was the perfect opener for a band like the Charlatans with their throwback sound. Two Harbors features Chris Pavlich on lead vocals and guitar, Kris Johnson on lead guitar, Jeremy Bergo on bass and Shawn Grider on drums. I’ve never heard these guys before, but I was blown away at how good they are, and how catchy their music is … I may have discovered one of my new favorite local bands! If you’re not familiar with them, check them out on Spotify, or better yet, catch an upcoming show.

Soon it was time for the Charlatans to take the stage!  The Charlatans have been around since 1988 when they were formed in the West Midlands by bass player Martin Blunt. The current line up featuring Blunt on bass, Tim Burgess on lead vocals and guitar, Mark Collins on lead guitar, and Tony Rogers on keys has been together since the 1990s when the band had its biggest success on the US charts.  When touring in the US, the band adds UK to their name because apparently there is another Charlatans based here in the US (a band that was popular on the west coast in the 1960s).  Martin Blunt’s driving bass sound is really a defining characteristic of the Charlatans’ sound, along with Tony Rogers’ keyboards, and WOW was that apparent in the small room there at the Fine Line!  Their set kicked off with their first top 20 UK single, “Weirdo” from 1992, and moved through 30 years of their wide-ranging music catalog. Tim Burgess is an entertaining lead singer, constantly smiling and holding his arms outstretched as he engages with the crowd.  If you are a fan of the Charlatans, you wouldn’t have been disappointed with their setlist, featuring songs like “Jesus Hairdo,” “Can’t Get Out of Bed,” “Deeper and Deeper,” and more for almost 90 minutes.  Even some of the songs I wasn’t as familiar with, like “How High” and their closing number, “Sproston Green,” I was instantly a fan. However, getting to hear my favorite Charlatans song, “The Only One I Know,” performed live was a great way for me to celebrate my birthday a day early!   If they ever return to this side of the pond, I’ll be first in line for tickets; I hope you’ll join me!