Gig Review: The Courteeners return home for a heavy weekend of celebrations at Albert Hall

“EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YASSS!” As Liam Fray screamed down the mic everything in the room lifted every pair of Adidas Originals, every pair of Dr Martens are jumping in rhythm to the guitar chords. Indie-rock band The Courteeners returned home to Manchester for a heavy weekend to celebrate the release of their new album ‘More.Again.Forever.’ at Albert Hall on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th February.

Boozy conversations between fans instantly came to a holt and all eyes darted to the stage as Liam Fray, Joseph Campbell, Daniel Moores and Elina Lina casually picked up their instruments and took their places. The celebration started with a new tune ‘Heart Attack’ and the mayhem began. The whole room bounced, as fans balanced on their friends shoulders passionately sing back to Liam Fray, arms were swinging and half full pints flew from one side of the room the other drenching anyone in sight.

The band played a mix of both their new and old songs, the band smashed through one of the albums top songs ‘Heavy Jacket’ played next Liam Fray leans into the crowd and fans scream the lyrics louder and push to the front a little harder. On comes ‘Are You In Love With a Notion’ a perfect performance and an absolutely chaotic reaction from the fans – as expected. Straight to ‘Acrylic’; then something fresh with ‘Previous Parties.’ To a sweeter, more touching tempo with ‘Modern Love’ and ‘Small Bones’ -one that Liam always sings from the heart.

To finish the show the lads sang their traditional set closers ‘Not Nineteen Forever’ followed by ‘What Took You So Long?’ Flares were lit, Albert Hall was bouncing, Liam sang with an overwhelming and unforgettable level of passion. Everyone came together for the very last moments of the night , not wanting it to end.

The iconic venue Albert Hall is much smaller than the usual venues The Courteeners play nowadays, but it created an intimate atmosphere that has a wholesome feel, with new indie teen coming together with the ‘oldies’ (fans who have been there since the start.) All enjoying the bands original sounds, along with their newer more mature music. After seeing The Courteeners for the first time in 2016 at T-in the Park Festival in Scotland it seems they are just as good if not better four years on.

The new 10 -track album ‘More.Again.Forever.’ was released in January and reached second place in the UK charts. Singer / songwriter Liam Fray has explained how he feels the album reflects “the incessant nature” of life in today’s society. The band also played a number of small intimate shows in Leeds, Liverpool and over this weekend the band played four sold out shows to over 8,000 happy fans.

You never fail to impress lads ... well done!