The Courteeners

I've recently heard about a certain phenomenon called the North/South Divide. So, what exactly is it that divides this great nation of ours? Well; in the South you have – for the most part – better weather, better salaries and the Queen; whilst in the North we have better beer, better soaps and 'Widnes's Finest' River Queen, the cheeky and charming Chinese which I frequent as much as the purse strings will allow. But fear not my fellow northern lights, for we also have The Courteeners, and that's one particular trade the ten-thousand strong crowd at Manchester Central last weekend had no future plans to make.

Formed in 2006 by enigmatic front man Liam Fray, the indie rock four-piece have gone from strength to strength; from their extensive gigging around Middleton and Greater Manchester, to winning The Guardian's First British Album Award for 'St Jude' in 2008, right through to supporting their major influence and staunch supporter Morrissey on his American tour this year. The comparisons with fellow northern inspirations Oasis are to be expected, but with the impending release of second album 'Falcon' in February next year, I predict a more creatively and technically diverse offering which is sure to satisfy and delight both old and new fans alike.



Kicking off the twenty-two track strong set with 'Will It Be This Way Forever', Fray took to the stage with all the spirit and swagger which has become his trademark. Unlike a handful of his peers however, Fray actually has the goods to back up the claims and commandeered his audience from the very first pitch perfect and passionate note. 'St Jude' tracks 'Cavorting' and my personal favourite 'Acrylic' followed to rapturous applause and appreciation and echoing the addictive hooks, the atmosphere quickly became electric.

References to Manchester, particularly on tracks such as 'Fallowfield Hillbilly' clearly resonate with the capacity crowd and that got me thinking... "why is it seemingly so important, yet difficult, for many to attain this particular level of lyrical identification which is obviously commercial dynamite?" There is definitely an overwhelming sense that Fray is amongst friends and probably family too. Perhaps in the current climate of covers and Christmas number ones, we are all just looking for chords and choruses that we can relate to.

New tracks 'The Good Times Are Calling' and 'Cross My Heart And Hope To Fly' were well received, as the band continued to take the crowd on a musical and festive journey through ghosts of tracks past, present and future. The bitter friend-bashing beats of 'If It Wasn't For Me' came next, followed by fan favourites 'Bide Your Time' and 'Kings Of The New Road'. On popular anthemic ballad 'Please Don't' the crowd got involved by chanting the retrospective lines at a deafening volume. The sublime new track 'Sycophant' is surely a front runner for a potential single release, certainly if the reception in Manchester was anything to go by.

Fray has been on the receiving end of some tabloid tittle tattle in recent years, in relation to his alleged arrogant and imposing attitude. In Manchester however I saw no such attitude; in fact the front man couldn't have been more appreciative of the sell-out crowd and the fact that, in his words, "times are hard, it's two weeks before Christmas and you've all made the effort to come out tonight." It was this down to earth and humble approach that had the crowd cheering yet louder as the band launched in to 'Yesterday, Today And Probably Tomorrow'.

Before hitting us with the triple threat of 'Fallowfield Hillbilly', 'Not Nineteen Forever' and finally the brilliant 'What Took You So Long', the Mancunian wordsmith pledged that the band were "...having it next year, us and you lot!" and said that he no longer cared whether he had the right haircut, the right clothes or said the right thing in interviews because ten thousand people had come out to see them that night and "that is f**king unbelievable."

I had to agree.

Long live The Courteeners and of course, long live our beloved North.

FUTURE GIGS