Friday 19/03/10 The Courteeners @ Brixton Academy, London

“Hello Brixton” snarls the Courteeners front-man, Liam Fray, in his gruff northern tone, “We’re from Manchester,” he states with swelled pride. As ironic cheers subside it is clear that there will be no signs of a north south divide tonight. The group’s cavorting tales of Fallowfield hillbillies have travelled much further than the Middleton area in which they were conceived.

As the band tear into tonight’s opener, 'Cavorting', the reason for their widespread appeal is apparent. Fray’s socially aware lyrics are universal.  The subject matter treads on similar territory to Alex Turner. Tales of over-rated clubs, with coke snorters and goggle-eyed girls are gritty and down to earth, like most of their fans.

Chequered shirts and skinny jeans are the attire of choice with gig goers in an attempt to ape the front man’s style. Obviously tonight’s crowd didn’t get the memo about the Scarf and jacket combo Liam is sporting. The lads play 'Acrylic' exceptionally, blasting out the powerful riffs and frustrated vocals chastising other bands for being moulded into a Libertines dream.  Undeniably the Courteeners have themselves had an image change, sprucing themselves up nicely for the media attention they have courted. Thankfully media attention has not changed the direction of their music. Material from new album 'Falcon' fits neatly alongside tracks from their debut.

Recent single 'You Overdid It Doll' is a particular highlight, with pints in hand the goggle-eyed crowd chant vociferously at each other the lyrics, ‘You’ll carry on till the day you drop’. The same irony is present midway through the set when 'Your'e Not Nineteen Forever' gets an airing. As this contemporary classic is energetically entertaining the crowd there are far less plastic glasses of amber liquid being flung into the air, making the scene look less dramatic than if this was a hometown gig. Nevertheless this could simply be the first sign of the north south divide. You wouldn’t throw your drink in the air if it were that expensive either.

'Cross my Heart & Hope To Fly' is another highlight, with its strong drums thumping against the walls at the back of the venue.  'The Good Times Are Calling' is also one to remember, with its Montague and Capulet lyrics about a couple from Manchester and London. The Manchester influence runs strongly through Liam whose quietly confident stage demeanour is akin to his Gallagher name sharer. Liam also bashes a tambourine around at times, which doesn’t help dissuade comparisons. The Courteeners were true Manchester heart tonight and despite the London prices, easily value for money.

The Courteeners 2010 UK Tour: