Six Reasons Why The Courteeners Are One Of The Best Around
The kings of anthemic guitar bangers stopped off at the O2 Academy in Edinburgh for what was a Greatest Hits tour in all but name. Here’s what we learned…
by Neil Renton
They’re a band for the people
They could have done a mega arena tour. Instead, they played smaller venues in the ‘White Of Their Eyes’ tour to make it more personal for their adoring fans.
2. Liam Fray
Confident but without ‘The Other Liam’s’ arrogance, the band’s singer Fray has become one of the country’s finest songwriters. He’s also got a fantastic stage presence and a new look. Gone is the short peroxide blonde hairdo of a couple of years ago. In its place is a darker, longer cut making him every inch the rock star. Think Dave Grohl with the occasional Billy Connolly mane flick.
3. They’ve got tracks to get you moving
Everybody loves a dance, even fans of indie. And The Courteeners have got songs that sound as important on a dancefloor as they do at the mainstage of a festival. ‘Cross My Heart & Hope To Fly’ and ‘The 17th’ are proof of that.
4. Merch
Not only are they ahead of their rivals when it comes to their music but they’re also a cut above them when it comes to the merchandise stalls. Fair play to them for releasing a jumper with a stitched logo - much needed for the Scottish winter. And also the Scottish autumn, spring, summer…
5. They’ve got a sensitive side
Maybe it’s because they’re a generation after Britpop but there’s a tenderness to many of their songs that will make your heart melt. The likes of ‘Small Bones’ and ‘Hanging Off Your Cloud’ touch listeners in such a way they’ll trigger goosebumps.
6. They know how to play a crowd
From songs being pumped out by the likes of Oasis and The Stone Roses before the set and ending with a snippet of the James classic ‘Tomorrow’ the band are well aware of the legacy of fellow Manchester bands. And with ‘What Took You So Long’ in particular it’s not long before they’ll be regarded in the same stature as those who’ve gone before them.