Photo Credit: James Keane
Manchester indie rock heroes COURTEENERS embarked on a massive UK arena tour after securing their second consecutive #2 album back in October. The band returned to Leeds First Direct Arena to perform a variety of hits, ranging from their chart-topping debut record ‘St Jude‘ all the way through to their most recent album, ‘Pink Cactus Cafe‘.
This was going to be a very comfortable experience for the Australia’s DMA’S, who are a favourite in the UK. Having successfully completed three UK tours, numerous festivals and even a support slot for Courteeners’ ‘St Jude‘ anniversary show in Manchester last summer, a quick return was certainly welcomed. Opening their set with ‘Play It Out‘, the arena was already packed with fans ready to join in to some of their favourites. The electric ‘Olympia‘ quickly followed, whilst ‘Silver’ made an early appearance in the set list, stealing the show as it always does. The crowd began to climb on top of each others shoulders, arms out stretched, belting the words back to frontman Tommy Odell to deliver a euphoric atmosphere. Further favourites were soon unleashed, ‘Tape Deck Sick‘ and the emotional ‘Delete‘ were included, with guitarist Johnny Took voicing his love for the UK crowds and his gratitude was loudly applauded from the Leeds folk. ‘Lay Down‘ concluded the bands grand performance, with a 2025 return to the UK undoubtely on the cards.
To a roaring applause from the Leeds audience, COURTEENERS made their entry to Oasis’ ‘Morning Glory‘, just as the excitement for a wave of indie classics and new songs was about to be unveiled. The band wasted no time in getting things started, as ‘Sweet Surrender‘ served as the opening track to build up further anticipation before a boisterous sing-along greeted ‘Are You In love With A Notion?‘ COURTEENERS blasted through their performance in their typical polished manner, with 19 songs to get through and no time to waste. Liam Fray briefly dropped the guitar during ‘Solitude of the Night Bus‘, demonstrating his skill with just the microphone, before taking it back up for the beloved song “Modern Love.”
In order to warm up the encore, Fray sang a variety of acoustic songs for the Leeds audience as the band briefly left the stage. The slower songs ended with ‘Smiths Disco‘, and then the entire band returned to the stage again for ‘Cavorting‘, which got everyone dancing. Then came ‘The Beginning of the End,’ where DMA’S joined the stage to perform the track as it is on the record, while ‘Not Nineteen Forever‘ always guarantees a huge display from not on the band, but every audience that they perform in front of. Everyone in the arena, from the stands to the seats, were stood up for this timeless indie classic. ‘What Took You So Long?‘ was the band’s final song of the evening, capping off an incredible performance by the Manchester icons and solidifying their status as still one of the most exciting live bands around today.
All photos taken by James Keane @ Leeds First Direct Arena.
COURTEENERS will be performing festivals in the UK next year:
27th July – Truck Festival @ Hill Farm, Oxfordshire
1st August – Kendal Calling @ Lowther Deer Park
2nd August – Y Not Festival @ Pikehall, Derbyshire
Taped Magazine 