He is Bastille’s touring fifth member.
That is as well as his other on stage role in cult alternative rock outfit Amplifier.
So it is hard to know how former University of Huddersfield student and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Barnes, 26, manages to fit in working on his own material for his solo and eponymous named band, whose debut album More Stately Mansions got critical acclaim.
A musical chameleon, his own work spans prog, rock, electronica, stripped back acoustics and a sound he jokingly describes as “big morbid death pop.”
The touring break for Charlie, whose album was produced by Oceansize guitarist Steve Durose and is now working on more solo and band material in between his hectic touring schedule, came when he was 19.
“Along with Oceansize and Biffy Clyro, Amplifier were one of my musical heroes,” he said.
“They announced they were doing a show in Manchester in 2008 so I messaged them through Myspace to ask if I could support.
“I said I wouldn’t take up much space, they gave me the slot and it worked out really well. I ended up supporting them on tour before I’d done my own tour as a solo artist.
“I started doing guitar teching and merchandise too and ended up being both the support act and performing in their band live. They’re like family to me.”
It was last year when he had to pull out of a live date with Amplifier after being asked to an audition with multi-award winning electro-pop outfit Bastille.
“This last year has been amazing. It was this time last year when my friend Stevie called me late one night.
“He’d been out for dinner with someone in the industry who told him a major band were looking for a touring musician to play keys, backing vocals and guitar.
“They wouldn’t tell him who it was but he suggested me and they gave him some contact details and we ended up getting through to their management.
“I put together an album to send them but after that I didn’t hear back from them so I thought they weren’t interested.
“I got a call in spring asking me to an audition with Bastille when I was on tour with Amplifier so had to ask if they would mind if someone covered for me.
“I had to learn seven songs including Pompeii and my brief was to “make it sound massive.”
“I got the job, two weeks later I was in rehearsals and not long after that I was on the stage with them at huge festivals.”
Charlie spoke about life on the road with them, which included performances at Glastonbury, Leeds Festival, Benicassim and a US tour.
“I had to learn around 20 songs which we played in rotation over the summer.
“The bigger festivals are strange because you’re so far away from the audience – I’m used to playing at places like Bar 1:22. But the atmosphere is amazing. I just do what I do and that’s it.
“Dan liked to have a bit of fun though and introduced me to the crowds and put me on the spot by asking how I was enjoying the town we were playing in.”
It is a struggle for Charlie to find time to work on his own hotly-tipped solo and band career, which has led him to perform across the UK and in Europe.
“Festival appearances with Bastille have already started rolling in so there are going to be a lot of rehearsals around that and I do what I can with Amplifier.
“I’m also working on projects with other people like for Oxygen Thief and Kyle D Evans.
“Sel (lead singer and guitarist) also passed More Stately Mansions onto the label who put it out (Superball Music).
“It was a band album and it had a really good response, including from some of my all time superheroes, who said some wonderful things about it.
“The band is still part of what I do and we’re working on another record now but I’ve got no idea when people will hear it – it could be this year or next.
“The songs are there, it’s just finding the time.
“And when it does get put out I’m not sure I’ll be able to tour it as I’ll be busy.
“I do half of my live solo shows acoustic but take my looping pedals and other equipment for the rest.
“The Germany tour was acoustic and with a piano when I could find one as I was doing it all on public transport. It was more back to basics and relaxed.
“I started out as strings and bass and listened to a lot of Scott Walker and Edith Piaf but I just love jumping into different sounds because it’s so fun.
“If I can just keep earning enough by making music then that’ll be a very good life.”
