Why Courteeners' Liam Fray Bought All His Own Gig Tickets!

The Courteeners are a well-known band from Manchester, England. Their lead singer, Liam Fray, recently went back to The Briton's Protection pub, where he first performed more than 20 years ago. Back then, Liam was just starting out and wanted to make his shows look popular. He actually bought all the tickets to his own gig and then sold them to other music fans at a club called 42s. This made it look like the show was sold out, which helped the band get noticed. Liam remembers the small stage and the crowd of about 80 people. He says it was a special time because all his friends were there, and they were just trying to make it as a band.

The Courteeners started out as four friends from Middleton, near Rochdale. They played in small places like pubs, clubs, and even in the garden of their shared house. Over the years, they have become much more famous and now play in big venues all over the world. Even though they have traveled a lot, Manchester is still their home. The band is now celebrating 20 years together and has just released a new album with their best songs. Liam says that even though it has been a long time, he still feels close to those early days. He remembers playing songs like Acrylic and Bide Your Time in his parents' garage. He feels lucky that people are still discovering their music.

The band members have been friends since they were about 10 years old. Liam says that their friendship is what makes the band special. They did not meet through an ad in the paper; they were friends first and then started making music together. Now, the Courteeners are getting ready for a huge homecoming show at Wythenshawe Park, where they will play in front of up to 35,000 fans. Other bands like The Coral and The Vaccines will also perform. Liam says he is more ready than ever for the show. He feels proud of his friends and wants to enjoy every second. For every ticket sold, one pound will go to the Music Venue Trust, a charity that helps small music venues in the UK. Liam says these places are important because they help new bands get started. He wants to give back and help other musicians have the same chance he did.