The basement of YES is one of Manchester’s cosiest venues – down the stairs away from the dreamily lit terrace, chaos is about to go down. Tonight, Liverpool upstarts Courting are playing, and they know no bounds. They’re finally able to tour the release of April’s glorious Grand National EP, and it’s clear that everyone here’s been waiting since release day to lose their shit to it live – including Courting.
Tonight’s musical appetizer is Stone, and appetize us they do – in very noisy style. Vocalist Fin Power bellows out what feels like spoken word on record, but on the stage of YES feels like a massive call to arms, but not so vicious with the total groove of the instrumentals that comes alongside it. The crowd are moving, getting healthily warmed up, and though plenty of people seem to know them already, Stone definitely leave the night with a handful of new fans.
And then havoc ensues. Courting’s live show is a slightly surreal experience – not least because you feel a like you’re stuck in a time warp because Football gets played not once, not twice, but three times, each version more giddy than the last. Courting’s back catalogue isn’t massive, hence the repeats and improvised Friends theme tune covers we get treated to tonight, filling out the time in a way that somehow sums up Courting aptly. The first three out of the four-track whirlwind of their Grand National EP are launched out in a barrage of throw-yourself-in buzz to kick the show off and get the crowd revved up, and it does exactly the job it needs to – Courting invite us to totally go for it, and we do.
The band themselves, of course, are setting the best example. They’re looking dapper (there are multiple blazers onstage, very smart), and reign in dignified madness for the hour they spend onstage – whether that’s by leaping into the crowd wielding a cowbell or leaping around the stage wielding a guitar. As compelling as their delivery is, though, the best part of Courting’s performance is the cheeky friendliness of it – they’re daring us to get involved. Dare accepted.
When Courting eventually become cult legends, fans will wish they were at this show and weep. Tongue-in-cheek, dizzyingly energetic, and devilishly good – Courting just confirmed that their live show is unmissable, and one of the most fun you’ll see this year. The only condition is you have to go all in.
Get tickets for the rest of tour here!
