2008-01-16 @ 53 Degrees, Preston

[Darren]

53 Degrees, Preston
16/01/08

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Review by the Forum

“The Courteeners have been making waves throughout their charismatic home town since the band formed in 2006. Manchester has kept the hotly tipped Middleton quartet under wraps for merely two years, and already the band find themselves on the opening gig of their first major UK tour - Preston’s 53 Degrees.” By George Alaimo

Fresh from their triumphant launch of latest single “What Took You So Long?”; The Courteeners are in high spirits. The occasion was marked by an intimate yet extremely energetic gig in the basement of HMV’s Manchester store. From “Fallowfield Hillbilly” right through to “What Took You So Long?”, the band whipped the exuberant crowd in to a constant frenzy. Front man Liam Fray radiated supreme aplomb, with every one of his carefully penned lyrics hurled straight back at him. “We are hoping for more of the same tonight,” claims Fray. The band are sharing a few drinks together in the local pub. The atmosphere is relaxed yet, the anticipation of the forthcoming gig is impossible to ignore. “Of course this is a relatively new experience for us. But if people can see that we care, they will give something back.” However arrogant or conceited many believe Fray to be, he came across as a sensitive, intelligent man with nothing but confidence in his own ability. These can only be seen as desirable qualities for the front man of a highly ambitious band. And it was confidence that shone through here in Preston, despite what must have been a nerve-wracking night for the band. You’d have never have known it, mind you. Initially slow-burning opener “Aftershow” got the eager crowd flowing, seamlessly merging with “Kimberley”. From this point onwards, the tone of the gig was set. The blue touch paper was well and truly lit. The jagged, raw riffs sent the 53 Degree’s faithful in to hysteria, whilst firm fan favourite “Fallowfield Hillbilly” struck a real chord with many in the room. Fray’s honest lyrics allow the band to perform songs with genuine heart and passion – every line is frantically chanted by the crowd. Sure-fire future Number 1 “Please Don’t” highlights Fray’s breath taking lyrical competence whilst demonstrating that The Courteeners are certainly not just your average indie band, with a range of sounds and tones which makes them undeniably difficult to define in one breath. The Courteeners still have an awful lot to prove. Tonight, however, was certainly a large step in the right direction; the band have stepped out of their Mancunian comfort zone and received an equally large reaction here in Preston. The release of their debut album in March will be the next hurdle the quartet must overcome if they are to define 2008 - and many more years to come. On the basis of this truly special opening gig, it is difficult to see why this should not be the case.

Like it or not, it would seem The Courteeners are here to stay.