“I don’t think this has happened before,” announces Liam Fray, as 5,000 heads turn to follow his finger pointing to the balcony. His friend gets down on one knee, she says yes and Liam serenades them with ‘Take Over The World’ – maybe his first cliché? Or maybe it’s yet another example of his band being content with the progression they have made.
No longer shackled by a teenage way-of-doing-things – they’re older now, more refined and better for it. And of course their fanbase has taken this journey with them. It’s not original to say that The Courteeners’ have an extremely passionate, football-like following. Complimented wonderfully by the number of Mancunian accents resonating from the surrounding Brixton bars spilling out onto the street and into the Academy.
Opening with ‘White Horses’, in accordance with the track listing of the new album, The Courteeners found that most of their new stuff was positively received. And through ping ponging between the albums – so as to tease out the new content – they kept the crowd on their toes with effortless transitions. With a thoroughly warmed-up crowd at their beck and call, The Couteeners arguably captured the night with ‘How Good It Was’. Its infectious riff and Liam’s lazy, Northern drawl, which filled the gaps between, were complimented wonderfully by the man himself strutting the stage, looking every bit an icon.
Allowing the crowd a chance to catch its breath, the band showed off the diversity to their work with a few acoustic tracks. ‘Small Bones’ sounded great live and the romantic vibe of ‘The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home’ was enjoyed by the few couples in attendance – in between the terraced chants of “I am all alone,” of course.
As the evening began to wind down, and with two glaringly obvious tracks still waiting to be played, The Courteeners began to satisfy the masses with ‘Not Nineteen Forever’. “She tried to peel me off the pavement…” The lights come on. “Every fucking night,” remarks Liam, as security pulls a flare-wielding fan from the scuffle on the floor, amidst the imprisoning boos. The spotlights dim. The Courteeners return to the stage and take two commences – more successfully this time – but similarly wild.
The energy maintained for concluding track, ‘What Took You So Long’ and with the lights returning for good this time, fans made their way onto the streets chanting the outro.
Below: More exclusive photos of The Courteeners rocking Brixton Academy
