Courteeners Give Halifax A Drive To Remember

What a joy it is to discover a band through a superb album and then to learn that they have a back catalogue to enjoy. Such was my experience with Manchester band Courteeners. More. Again. Forever. might have been their fifth album when it was released last year but to me they were an undiscovered gem.

No wonder the acclaimed band are able to fill stadia such as a homecoming gig at Manchester’s Emirates Stadium. Halifax’s Victoria Theatre seems to be gaining a reputation for hosting warm up shows for successful bands. Courteeners followed in the footsteps of Stone Roses and James as they delivered a show that can only be described as moving, uplifting and almost like a reciprocal communion.

Before the band take to the stage Oasis, Arctic Monkeys and Stone Roses blast out of the PA system, which gives some indication of where Courteeners sit in pop hierarchy.

So what is so good about the band you may ask? The answer is simple - they have got the songs - ones which have a proper chorus, they build you up, they elevate you and are ones that you will be saying to your grandchildren in years to come "they don’t write them like this anymore."

The main focal point of the band is Liam Fray, to all intents and purposes Fray is Courteeners as he writes and sings the songs. He is a man of few words though, it is at least five tracks in before he addresses the fans.

Are You In Love With A Notion? opens up a triumphant set, the fans almost drown out Fray’s singing during the chorus.

No One Will Ever Replace Us was not just a statement of intent as it also demonstrated how much live music has been missing from our lives over the last 18 months.

“Let’s see Yorkshire how good your singing voices are” quizzes Fray as he introduces Small Bones. The answer is unequivocal as the fans' singing threatens to literally raise the roof of the Victoria Theatre. Without any promoting the fans even sing a chorus of Happy Birthday to drummer Michael Campbell - it was that kind of night where everything just seemed to flow and fall into place.

Acoustic versions of The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home and Please Don’t let Fray’s writing skills come to the fore.

Not Nineteen Forever was as rousing and energetic as ever before the band closed with What Took You So Long?

How refreshing it was to go to a gig and see hardly any camera phones held in the air, instead the fans were engaged, focused and totally in the moment. To achieve that you have to be good and Courteeners are way more than that.

What took me so long to appreciate Courteeners - I’m not sure - I do know though that Halifax tonight experienced a gig that in years to come, many will be proud to say that they were there.