English four-piece Telegram took to the Barrowlands stage before Manchester band The Courteeners last week; 2013 has seen Telegram release their debut single Follow on their own label GamGam, gaining widespread recognition for their smashing attempt at indie-rock-gold.
Since recently touring with Temples and Palma Violets, the band have built-up a strong and explosively delivered live set- their Barrowlands performance a six-song-serenade including Rule number one, It’s not very easy, Follow and closer Folly.
It was relatively rowdy by then but by the time The Courteeners took the stage the place erupted. Although a neon light of third album cover ANNA begged the limelight, the set played tracks from all three albums with some solid focus on the celebrated 2008’s hits. Are You in Love with a Notion opened up the set, full of the bravado and swagger that ensures front man Liam Fray is loved and loathed in equal measures.
2008’s St Jude LP gave out the strongest tracks of the evening in the form of Cavorting, Acrylic and Please Don’t. Then there were That Kiss and The Opener that proved The Courteeners can deliver more than indie disco tracks; the latter strong and full of sorrow, it made way for one of the two delightful encores. Fray took to the stage alone for solo versions of How Come, No You Didn’t, No You Don’t and The Rest of the World Has Gone Home.
It got rowdy once more with the band returning for encore number two, belting out Here Come the Men and the much-loved classics Not Nineteen Forever and What Took You So Long?
Nadine Walker
