Liam Fray acoustic tour, Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, Wednesday, September 25, 2013

I have seen Manchester band The Courteeners about four or five times at last count since about 2007 when they first came to Portsmouth and Southampton. With these gigs you know what you are going to get, loud and fast guitar heavy songs belted out across the room with the crowd loving every minute.

To say the crowd at a Courteeners gig is full of energy is probably an understatement, they sing, they dance, they shout and chant - mainly 'Li-am, Li-am, Li-am'.

So when I bought me and my boyfriend tickets to see lead singer Liam Fray's acoustic gig I was a little intrigued as to what he was going to play and what it would be like.

Lets just say I was not disappointed, and the crowd still managed to get a chant in.

Playing for about an hour and a half he treated us to a number of Courteeners hits Last of the ladies, Scratch you name upon my heart and Lose control. All of which just sounded perfect, just him, a guitar and a piano guy. 

It is nice to hear songs like Acrylic slowed down and stripped back showcasing the word smith we all know Fray is.

Even though he said he had a sore throat the songs were delivered, to the sometimes silent room, with such quality and class.

The crowd were also a little different this time, less rowdy but still shouting out the song lyrics at the top of their voice, especially to favourites Bide your time  and Please don't, so loud in fact that Liam stepped back to enjoy the moment and let the crowd sing out.

 I can see why with this tour he has chosen to play smaller more intimate venues like the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth as he can interact with the audience, so much so that someone in the front wanted to talk to him about Manchester to which he said 'You want a one to one conversation but no one else in the room cares'. 

To be honest I think at this gig was the most I have ever heard Liam talk.

He also treated the room to a bit of a Fleet Foxes song which was amazing.

It was an phenomenal gig, laid back and chilled out but still with a slight rock and roll edge. 

Even without the band as support Liam still brings it to the stage and I'll be buying my ticket next time he goes acoustic.

The Courteeners, Pyramids, Portsmouth, Monday, March 4, 2013

Anna

The Courteeners, what can I say.

This was the fifth time I have seen them perform live. The first of which being in 2008 at the University of Southampton  student union we could only stay for 45 minutes due to last train home but it was brilliant and from then on my boyfriend and I were hooked to this band from Middleton, Greater Manchester.

The band's first album St Jude came out in 2007 and I am still gutted to this day that we didn't go to one of their first gigs in the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth. I think we have made up for it though having seen them at the Pyramids twice, Bournemouth O2 and in Chester as part of Chester Rocks.

They never disappoint and I think this gig was the best I have ever seen them live. The band, made up of Liam Fray, Michael Campbell, Daniel Moores and Mark Cuppello, seemed more comfortable on stage and you could tell that Liam was feeding off the atmosphere.

I always thought that bands could never really see the audience but I think on this occasion it was Liam who had a front row view. He interacted with people on the front, and looked in amazement at a crowd of lads dancing and moshing in the middle of the floor.

To start with voice his didn't sound as strong as it had done on previous gigs but seemed to warm up pretty quickly. I think he is probably fitter than I've ever seen him, in both senses of the word, as he seems to have lost quite a bit of weight, he looked great.

The band kicked off with Are You in Love with a Notion? From new album Anna, I would say by the crowds reaction to this song and Push Yourself, which they played after, it didn't seem as if many people had the new album. They livened up a bit after the latest single Lose Control, but practically erupted for Cavorting  and Acrylic.

The songs from the first two albums  St Jude and Falcon went down a storm and the room was buzzing.
Liam added at one point that he was worried people would have forgotten about them but seemed to have a strong following in the room.

The thing I love about The Courteeners is that they are still relatively unknown but should be massive. They never really headline festivals but do play a lot of them. I love them and they are one of my favourites.

My favourite song has to be Take Over the World which looked beautiful with two glitter balls casting a ray of stars around the Pyramids. It looked so good and the song was perfect for the mood, the crowd even quietened down a bit.

Surprisingly they didn't play You Overdid it Doll but ended with Not Nineteen Forever and What Took you So Long?

I loved on the set the light at the back of Anna from the album cover, I joked with my boyfriend that I wouldn't mind it when we have a place of our own.

Liam treated the crowd to a little acoustic bit where he played The Rest of the World has Gone Home this didn't really calm the crowd down but really showed off his fantastic vocal ability.

Liam described the gig on Twitter as manic, with chants of Liam whenever there was a quiet moment, we maybe Southerners but we do love these Northerners.

If you have never seen The Courteeners before but you are going to festival where they are playing check them out you really won't be disappointed.

2013 - unlucky for some ?

Sorry for the lack of posts, work has been hectic.

So 2013 got some gigs planned and a lot of musicals.

Going to see The Courteeners, Pink, and McFly.

Going to Priscilla Queen of the Desert, 9 to 5 which I cannot wait to see and Ghost. All coming to the Mayflower in Southampton I can't wait.

Also Jamaica this year and I am now a bridesmaid! I cannot wait, so honored to be asked and can't wait to go dress shopping on the weekend.

And I am crazy enough to be doing the Great South Run again! I know! I am running for Mind again but got one of their charity spaces so got a minimum amount I have to raise.

So this blog will be full of wedding comments, running moans and gig and musical reviews.

Roll on 2013 I think it is going to be my year!

Chester Rocks, Chester Racecourse, Saturday, June 16 2012

Over two days Chester racecourse plays host to two very different types of music. On Saturday the bands include The Rifles, The Suns, The View, Cast and The Courteeners. On the Sunday audiences pack in to see Pixie Lott, Katy B, Labrinth and Maverick Sabre, two very different types of music.

As a massive Courteeners fan it was a no-brainer to get tickets for the Saturday and for £35 you can't go wrong really.

The run up to the weekend the weather was not great, a normal great British weather of rain in the summer.

I saw the weather forecast for Saturday and for Chester it said torrential rain and thunder and lighting, and I was scared. Me and the boyfriend were all set with kags in a bag and wellies. The ground was ok a little soft but not a swamp. Throughout the day it was drizzle and then stop, but we didn't get soaked which I was glad about. However, it was freezing but the weather didn't dampen our day.

Me and my boyfriend got there about half two (gates opened at two) and we were amazed at just how much there was a lot of bars, little stalls with Pimms and strawberry cider for sale, delicious by the way like eating strawberries, also loads of food on offer fish and chips, posh burgers, normal burgers and loads more about £7 so ok for festivals.

For lunch I had the fish and chips they were priced up separately chips £2 and the battered haddock was £5.50 and it was worth every penny. The fish was delicious, crispy not too greasy and just the best fish and chips I have ever had. The boyfriend chose a lamb burger and fries and when he saw my fish and chips he instantly regretted his decision.

There was also a sweet stall, oxygen party where for £5 you can get five minutes of O2, I know I didn't get it either, also a fun fair with attractions.

We missed the first act but caught The Suns, the lead singer looked like Guy Garvey from Elbow and the sounded very much like Johnny Cash, good.

The other bands were good, The Rifles were brilliant having seen them before I knew they would be good, however, the sound suffered a little as it kept dipping out. Almost as if the wind was carrying it away. It was a shame as I know how good they are in a small venue but still equally good.

Considering I wasn't really looking forward to them The View were really, really good. We only knew the one song Same Jeans but the crowd loved them and were singing along to the whole set and I was pleasantly surprised. I did think that The Rifles would be third billing but I think out of the final four they were the least known up north.

Cast were part of the Brit pop scene back in the 90s and to be honest I didn't really know who they were. The crowd on the other hand did. But when they started performing there were quite a few songs I recognised on the set list including - Flying and Guiding Star, Google them you will instantly recognise them. They were great and showed the young bands they still have it.

After Cast were the headliners The Courteeners. This was the fourth time I had seen the band, previously in small venues. They played a couple of new songs including Welcome to the Rave, which was good. I loved the old songs though What took you so long?, Cavorting,  and Not 19 Forever.

I didn't recognise Liam at first as he has cropped his hair but he did look good.

The band as always were amazing, just fantastic live. Great vocals and just played to perfection, I knew there was a reason I loved this band, just a shame it took them so long to come back and perform.


I will admit that I think something is lost in a large festival, the atmosphere was great and lively with people singing and dancing. I think I prefer the intimate feel of a smaller venue but loved The Courteeners all the same. I think for the money it was well worth it but would prefer Courteeners in a small venue.

I recommend Chester Rocks fantastic day out.

Check out the website: http://www.chester-rocks.com/

Everyday I'm Shuffling

I will admit I am a Chris Moyles listener on Radio 1, and a while back they played the 'generic mp3 player shuffle game', it revealed some obvious choices - Aled's were usually pretty obvious.

So I thought I would play along and play ten songs on shuffle and see what comes up.

Here we go...
1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hysteric
2. Kylie Minogue - Step Back in Time
3. Kayne West ft. Jay Z - Diamonds from Sierra Leone
4. Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
5.  We Are Scientists - Central AC
6. The Courteeners - Bide your Time
7. Daft Punk - End of Line (Tron Legacy soundtrack)
8. Kasabian - Switchblade Smiles
9. The Black Keys - Next Girl
10. Madonna - Like A Prayer

Well I was surprised, I thought it was going to bring up a whole load of Kylie, Glee and Gaga but I think my shuffle ten shows the diversity of my iPod, which is why I love my iPod, there is a song for every occasion.

So take part and let me know your shuffle.

Also on another note Kasabian is amazing to run to.

Music makes the world go round

Music, you sing to it, you dance to it, you talk about it. No matter what type you like everyone likes some sort of music. You can go to a foreign country and a song will come on and you may not speak the same language but you can both sing and dance along to a Take That song.

I love music, songs can evoke such powerful feelings, the one you danced with on your girly holiday (Outkast Hey ya and Britney Toxic, Dublin '04) or the one your Mum danced to in the kitchen. They can help you through break ups or break downs. A song can make you smile or make you cry and there is nothing better than music while getting ready for a night out.

My boyfriend, I would say, has a very cool taste in music. He loves The Beatles, Bob Dylan, new indie bands and bands such as Deer Tick or The Rifles, as well as some bands you have never heard but are equally brilliant. If you flick through his iPod you get song after song of amazing tracks (although some are a little depression, I love Joy Division but can be a bit of a downer). I think he is a connoisseur of music and I don't think there is a dud song on his iPod, just don't tell him I said that.

My musical tastes are very varied. I was told by my mum who borrowed my iPod that if she didn't know me she would think I was a gay man, due to the amount of Kylie, Showtunes and Glee I had on there. My boyfriend can't understand how I can have songs like Bring the Light by Beady Eye, and bands such as Blondie and The Courteeners along songs by Katy Perry, Kylie and the Spice Girls. My iPod I know is very random, a bit like me. I love listening to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal at the gym, or Kylie before a night out. If I am driving in the sun I whack on a bit of The Jacksons, or if I am in a bit of a mood Bloc Party.

I suppose I do have bands I like but sometimes I just like songs, if a song has a strong guitar I will probably like it. If a song sounds like a great dance track (LMFAO Party Rock Anthem), or just something I can sing my heart out to I will usually love it.

If you have read my blog before you will be able to tell I am a gig junkie, so if a song sounds amazing live or the song it self sounds like and has the vibe of being live, I will love it. I know it sounds strange but some songs I just love and I don't know why.

I will admit outright I am a very poppy girl, I love cheesy tunes and as you know Kylie is my icon but if a song has a strong guitar, emotional lyrics or a fit front man... I'm there!

The Courteeners, Bournemouth O2 Academy, 15/03/2010

The Courteeners are one of those bands that their CDs do not give them the justice they deserve. Live their music is rich and energetic, something which is sometimes lost in the post production of the album.

Last night at the Bournemouth O2 Academy, The Courteeners performance did not disappoint. This is the third time I have seen the band live and each time I do they just get better and better. This time it felt as if the lead singer Liam projected a more confident, individual persona rather than an incarnation of another well know Liam from Manchester.

Unlike some bands you get the feeling that the Courteeners love what they do, they love playing music and they love performing to a room of fans. Liam even got one of the crowd’s camera and filmed the crowd as he performed Cross my Heart and Hope to Fly.

Other band front men could learn a lot from Liam Fray, he is the right type of arrogant and has a commanding stage presence, however, he also in some ways gives the impression that he feels lucky to be doing what he’s doing and appreciates the support of the fans.

The set list was a nice mix of the first album St Jude, and the new album Falcon. Songs such as You Overdid it Doll, Cavorting and Not Nineteen Forever, all of which sent the crowd in a frenzy. At times it was difficult to hear the singer as the crowds vocals boomed around the O2 Academy. There was also a beautiful solo performance of The Rest of the World Has Gone Home, just him and a guitar.

The band ended the gig on a high with What Took you So Long, which had the crowd singing and dancing at a frantic pace.

The Courteeners are an amazing band and are playing loads of festivals so if you haven’t already caught them live make sure you check them out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

http://www.thecourteeners.com/