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Chatting to fans before and after the Leeds gig, it was pretty apparent that a lot of them, like I, had grown up with Some Friendly as the soundtrack to their formative years. Do you think that your original fans will like this new sound, this new fragility?

"I’m guessing it will challenge old fans but will gain new fans too. You got to give it to The Charlatans fans - they have seen many changes, many mood swings - they have to have a wide palette and knowledge of music to get where we are coming from. I don’t expect everyone to get what we do all of the time, but in general people seem to be pretty flexible with each and every Charlatan twist and turn."

Having now had time to reflect on the unplugged tour, were there any memorable highlights for you?

"Yes!!! Brudenell in Leeds was a highlight, as was The Deaf Institute in Manchester, Oran More in Glasgow and Union Chapel in London."

I heard about the Union Chapel gig and how the church walls were candle lit – it sounds like it was a pretty special and ethereal gig?

"Yeah, the Union Chapel sticks out ‘cos we had a string section and my friend Kevin Shields [My Bloody Valentine] came on to play with us. It was a beautiful night."

I had the pleasure of seeing you at The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, where you played a romantic and intimate set. What did you make of the venue and Leeds crowd?

"I loved it - it was a highlight! I agree it was romantic and the club is one of the best clubs I have ever been to."

Why were these particular venues chosen to host your unplugged sets? Was it to get closer to your fans?

"Certain venues were specifically chosen like Brudenell, Oran More, Stockton Georgian Theatre, Manchester Deaf Institute and London Union Chapel. We did Stoke and Wrexham because we were friends with the venue promoters.We went through a phase for about a week where we would get asked to play places like Ludlow, Margate and Malvern. We had a lot of fun getting the gigs on sale and watching them sell out in a day or so. It was like a commando mission! We ended up doing Derby, Whitehaven, Bathgate, Dundee, Blackburn ... it could’ve gone on forever to be honest!"

You have enjoyed over 20 years in music – quite an achievement in a commercially driven industry. Despite your changing sound, The Charlatans have never been tainted with the “sell out” tag, with old and new fans mingling quite happily. How have you achieved this?

"It’s pretty simple really - as a band we stick together and support each other!"

Where do you stand on the creativity vs commercialism debate?

"I like to be creative. I like to write and I like to perform, and when I do that I don’t think about commerciality at all - I think about how it makes me feel."

The Leeds gig was wonderfully warm and friendly – like having you play in my front room, and as far removed from the big production of arena shows as you could get. It was a pretty special and inclusive experience, and one that will be treasured for some time! Was this a conscious return to your musical roots?

"It was like going to see an independent film as opposed to a blockbuster. We all like to go and see the new Spiderman film but it’s good to go, and possibly more preferable at times to go and see, Allan Ginsberg’s Howl at the Curzon or a David Lynch short at the Cornerhouse."

What’s next for Tim Burgess and The Charlatans?

"I’m pretty busy with writing a solo album and a book, and have a few side projects lined up. A new album is lined up for The Charlatans next year."

Has Britain got talent

"Course! Bags of it, but it’s not always in the places you expect!"

It’s been an absolute pleasure chatting to you Tim. Before you go, are there any new bands you think we should be on to?

"Factory Floor, S.C.U.M., Hatcham Social, Joseph Coward and Electricity In Our Homes."