Gig review: The Courteeners, Shepherds Bush Empire, London (From News Shopper)

Gig review: The Courteeners, Shepherds Bush Empire, London

3:54pm Wednesday 26th November 2008 in Freetime

Despite getting soaked in the beer of excited fans, Jason Tremain is impressed with The Courteneers anthem-filled set at Shepherds Bush Empire, London

To be fair to the Mancunian four piece, The Courteeners, their image could give rise to expectations of a ‘lads night out’ ambience at their live shows.

And sure enough, most of the crowd were male, young and blatantly out for a good time.

The venue was nicely warmed up by lively support from fellow Mancs Kid British with a feisty mix of dub, ska and beat and Cast-like indie rockers Twisted Wheel (watch this space) but it didn’t truly kick off until the arrival onstage of the headliners.

The ardent core of fans gave a rapturous welcome to the Courteeners, fronted by a Gallagher brother clone, Liam Fray.

Opening with cracking anthem Aftershow and once the beer-slinging had soaked the front at least six deep, the pace showed no sign of letting up.

It appeared the lads were ‘avin it.

However what happened next was not expected. Fray stood alone. The rest of the band left the stage as their erstwhile leader gave a moving, acoustic performance of No You Didn’t, No You Don’t.

The crowd were a tad stunned but recovered enough to sing along and give a reception richly deserved.

This trick of switching from leering lout to sensitive soul is something obviously practiced and is a warm welcome among today’s over populated indie wide-boy market.

Then the mask is off (or back on?) as Not 19 Forever and What Took You So Long? drop and a renewed beer and cider shower ensues as the roof is practically blown off.

Fray is becoming a steadfast and professional front man with his confident, dangerous/soulful persona and the material stands up well in the live setting.

With more anthems on one album than most bands achieve in three, The Courteeners lay waste to the Empire and any doubters in the room. A solid, sensitive and successful performance - and don’t they just know it.