The Charlatans forrest gig

One of the UK's most significant bands, The Charlatans, have announced they will play Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire, this summer as part of the Forestry Commission's 2008 forest tour.

The Charlatans new album, You Cross My Path, is available in its entirety as a FREE download from radio station Xfm's website www.xfm.co.uk from Monday 3rd of March 2008 and the Charlatans official site www.thecharlatans.net two weeks later on March 17th. The band have also just inked a worldwide distribution deal for the album to be released on CD and vinyl in 33 countries, through Cooking Vinyl, on May 19th.

The album is preceded by a free single download, through XFM, entitled Oh! Vanity, on February 25th and The Charlatans site on March 10th. The first single from the album, also called You Cross My Path, was made available in October last year and received an overwhelming response. Prior to the release The Charlatans undertake a European tour in February to air the new material.

"You Cross My Path" is the bands 10th studio album, and follows their 2006 top ten album, 'Simpatico', and the highly acclaimed 'Up At The Lake' (2004). Three of The Charlatans albums 'Some Friendly' (1990), 'The Charlatans' (1995) and 'Tellin' Stories' (1997) all reached number one in the UK chart. Two albums, 'Us and Us Only' (1999) and 'Wonderland' (2001) debuted at number two.

'Forever The Singles' was released through Island Records (2006) and featured sixteen of the bands Top 40 singles, including – 'The Only One I Know', 'One To Another', 'North Country Boy', 'Love Is The Key', 'How High' and 'You're So Pretty We're So Pretty'.

The Forestry Commission is committed to taking woodlands to new audiences, and making them relevant to people in new ways. The forest tour is self-sustaining, paying for itself, and providing valuable revenue to plough back into the woodland in a variety of environmental and social projects.

The Charlatans plus guests play Cannock Chase Forest, Near Rugeley, Staffordshire on Sunday 29th June.

Tickets £26 subject to booking fee go on sale from 9.00am on Friday 8th February from: Tel hotline 01842 814612 and online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music.

Info: www.thecharlatans.net & www.myspace.com/thecharlatans & www.forestry.gov.uk/music