INDIE heroes The Charlatans are returning to Southampton and lead singer Tim Burgess has revealed plans for an intimate after show DJ set at The Joiners, the famous Southampton venue he first played with The Charlatans 26 years ago.

Richard Derbyshire caught up with Tim to find out what gig goers can look forward to this time, about plans for a new Charlatans album and to remember the band’s first visit to Southampton all those years ago.

Q: The story of The Charlatans’ first gig in February 1990 at The Joiners is legendary down here, what are your memories of that exciting time?

A: We knew something big was starting to happen. Southampton was a long way from home so we weren't sure if people would know us when we got asked to do the gig. Then the buzz started and we heard it had sold out. We were in pretty high spirits travelling down!

We really loved the venue and it was a brilliant atmosphere, though I wasn’t sure if the south coast was quite prepared for my flared jeans! It was definitely a special moment in time for the band. I'll never forget it.

Independent venues like The Joiners were hugely important to us and they still are now. Bands that are breaking through get to play their first tours there and local bands get to support them. Without them, the music eco-system starts to fall apart.

Q: What can The Joiners crowd look forward to from your DJ set - what tunes are in your record bag at the moment?

I never quite know what I'm going to play, but I'll have loads with me. They’ll definitely be some big songs. I’ll play whatever gets the dancefloor going! I'm pretty excited about a remix Fatboy Slim has done for us, so I'll probably bring that. It'll be the first time it's ever been played.

Q: How did you get into doing DJ sets?

A: I'd DJ at house parties when I was younger but it wasn't the start of The Heavenly Social night in London in the 1990s that I really started. It was me, The Chemical Brothers and a gang of our friends in a pub having a great time. I also spun the decks at the youth club my dad ran back around 1979. I only had a handful of singles but I got bitten by the bug.

Q: Has anything changed about how you see songs from your latest album Modern Nature now you’ve been playing them live?

A: Yes definitely. Songs are quite different in the studio compared to playing them at gigs. I love playing Emilie live and that’s definitely a song that’s evolved. Tony from the band gets to go crazy in the middle of Let the Good Times Live - audiences seem to really love that one - it gets a huge cheer like it's an old classic.

Q: What plans do you have for 2016?

A: We're heading to Japan and Australia in March and we'll be working on ideas for new songs for our next album while we're there. When we’re back we'll get into the recording studio. We’re a band that loves playing live so I'm guessing there might be a couple of UK festivals this year too.

Q: You've curated stages at the Isle of Wight festival before, who are bands that you’re following at the moment?

A: I really enjoy putting line ups together - it was a dream come true at The Isle of Wight. I also have a thing called Tim Peaks which is a stage that we do at Kendal Calling and other festivals. We've had guests like Edwyn Collins and Sleaford Mods and it means I'm always talking to new bands. Hot Vestry and Factory Floor are brilliant and Grumbling Fur are what I'm listening to right this second.

Q: How was it returning to the Isle of Wight in 2015 to headline the Big Top on Sunday?

A: It was great to headline the Big Top last year at The Isle of Wight - ten minutes before we played we were watching Fleetwood Mac and we played after them - it was a brilliant day.

The Charlatans Engine Rooms gig on Thursday is sold out.

Tickets for Tim Burgess DJ set at The Joiners are available at joinerslive.co.uk