The reason why The Courteeners’ live shows are so memorable is because of the crowd. Every chant, cheer and rapturous “woaah!” comfortably drowns out frontman Liam Fray - in the best possible way.
It becomes evident as soon as set opener, and new single ‘Are You In Love With A Notion?’ is received with just this kind of enthusiasm that since dropping their debut album St. Jude’ in 2008, that The Courteeners have cultivated a very special fanbase. They may not have had the most press coverage that an indie rock band has had in their years, but they have their fans. Their insanely dedicated fans.
That's the kind of fanbase that have listened to these tracks on repeat, attended several live shows, have a couple bits of merchandise, know all the B-Sides (a couple of which are played tonight to the same degree of enthusiasm from the crowd) and have really connected with these songs. Tonight proves they definitely have a cult following, yet not in an uninviting way. It’s a crowd of true collective spirit and when lead single off most recent album Lose Control thunders through the theatre the crowd do just that.
Whilst The Courteeners are undoubtedly an anthemic band, there are some rather special and memorable moments in their set such as the melancholy, confused and frenetic ‘Welcome To The Rave’ or parts where Fray picks up an acoustic guitar and croons a little bit more gently proving a more tender light to their popularly branded “lad-rock” which is a shallow, reductive description of their music which they thankfully shatter this evening.
Of course, there are still several pints of beer thrown in the air tonight and no one leaves the venue without sweat dripping off their face but it’s all part of the mammoth nature The Courteeners effortlessly exude, making this the kind of live show that is the perfect night out to celebrate music.
