Courteeners to play huge homecoming gig at Old Trafford

The Courteeners are set to host a massive homecoming gig at Emirates Old Trafford in one of Manchester’s first concerts since the pandemic later this year.

The Middleton-born rockers are expected to return to the stage at the historic cricket ground this September alongside some of the biggest names in Manchester’s music scene.

The Smiths’ Johnny Marr and Stockport band Blossoms are also scheduled to be performing at the gig this autumn, along with The Big Moon and Zuzu.

@what_liam_saw / Instagram

Courteeners are no strangers to the Old Trafford cricket ground, having headlined a moving show at the same venue back in May 2017, days after the Manchester Arena bombing.

Formed in 2006 and fronted by Liam Fray, the band have a habit of performing at some of Manchester’s largest venues, including gigs at Heaton Park and the AO Arena.

And while the band haven’t been able to tour since the Covid pandemic began, Fray has kept himself busy opening a new bar and restaurant in the Northern Quarter.

The frontman partnered with two of Manchester’s leading hospitality figures, Liar’s Group and TNQ, to launch the Smithfield Social, located on Thomas Street.

@what_liam_saw / Instagram

Quite understandably, the news of this concert has been welcomed by many, as it’s no secret that the music industry has struggled immensely throughout the pandemic.

A report titled ‘Music By Numbers 2020,’ monitored the impact of Covid-19 during 2020, and concluded that up to 85% of live revenue in the UK was lost, as revenues have been close to zero since March 2020, when venues shuttered and concerts and music festivals were canceled, as per Variety.

Over a year on, the future of live music remains uncertain, though trial events in Liverpool earlier this year had some promising figures, with a string of concerts and live events resulting in ‘no detectable spread of Covid-19.’

The gig is scheduled for Saturday, September 25th, with tickets to go on sale here this Friday, June 11th.