Liam Fray, frontman of The Courteeners, brought his highly anticipated acoustic tour to Manchester’s Albert Hall, playing to two sold-out crowds. On this particular Friday night, the excitement in the air was undeniable, with fans of both Fray and The Courteeners eagerly awaiting the performance.
Before Fray even hit the stage, the atmosphere was electric, with chants of his name reverberating throughout the venue. As soon as he walked on stage, smartly dressed and ready to perform, the crowd erupted. Any doubts about an acoustic session were quickly forgotten as Fray opened with How Come, sparking the audience into full sing-along mode. It was clear that these weren’t just spectators but passionate fans ready to lend their voices to every lyric.
While acoustic shows typically evoke a more laid-back experience, this was anything but. The audience became a vocal extension of Fray, turning the show into a collaborative celebration of Manchester pride. “You make me proud of being Mancunian,” Fray proclaimed to the roaring crowd.
The setlist featured 24 songs, including a cover of Pulp’s Disco 2000, alongside beloved Courteeners tracks. Fray treated fans to a mix of rarities and classics, pulling from albums like St. Jude (2008) with Bide Your Time, No You Didn’t, No You Don’t, and Not Nineteen Forever, as well as hits from Concrete Love (2014), Anna (2013), and Mapping the Rendezvous (2016). Standout tracks like Lullaby, International, and Are You in Love With a Notion? had the crowd in full voice.
Despite the Albert Hall’s capacity of over 2,200, the show felt intimate. The dimly lit stage, decorated with warm lighting and vintage lamps, created a cozy, personal ambiance that perfectly suited the acoustic setting. Fray proved that even indie rock anthems can be stripped down, and with just a guitar, he had the power to bring an audience to an emotional high in mere seconds.
After two sold-out performances, Fray’s acoustic tour came to a close, but fans are eagerly hoping for a full Courteeners tour soon.
