Courteeners' Liam Fray Opens Up on Two Decades of Music and Mental Health
In a rare intimate show at Manchester's Night & Day cafe, Courteeners frontman Liam Fray marvels at his band's 20-year lifespan, defying the odds in an era where guitar groups were declared extinct. "You don't get rid of us that easily," he quips, as fans snap photos of their entry wristbands, celebrating a new greatest hits collection. For many in the audience, there has barely been a Manchester without Courteeners, a testament to their enduring appeal.
From Middleton to Stadiums: A Band's Unlikely Rise
Fray, born in 1985 to teacher parents in Middleton, credits a teenage job at a Fred Perry shop for his creative awakening. It was there he wrote "Cavorting," the band's debut single, on a compliments slip. Inspired by Oasis, the Beatles, and local gigs, he formed Courteeners in 2006 with friends, quickly gaining traction despite arriving as British guitar music faded. "We were unfashionable to start with," Fray admits, "but now guitar music itself is unfashionable."
Their early success led to a major label deal with Polydor, but a critical backlash and the "landfill indie" label saw them dropped after their second album. "The music industry will kick you around like an empty Pot Noodle," Fray shrugs, yet their loyal audience kept them afloat. Signing with indie label Pias, they pivoted to the live market, selling out Manchester's arena and Heaton Park multiple times.
Mental Health and Personal Growth
Behind the scenes, Fray has navigated "off-the-scale" social anxiety and depression, which began during his first flush of fame. "Not being good enough," he says, along with online comments and pressure, took a toll. Drink offered temporary relief but led to a vicious cycle. Recently becoming a father has shifted his perspective, making him more positive. "I can look at myself and go, 'This isn't as important as you think,'" he reflects.
Fray has adopted practical strategies to manage his mental health, such as using the Reframe app for alcohol reduction, setting alarms for sunrise, and gratitude journaling. "The gratitude list is so nice," he shares. "When you start noticing things, it's amazing." This introspection influenced songs like "Take It on the Chin" and "Better Man," which explore therapy and evolving masculinity.
Uniting Manchester and Multi-Generational Appeal
Courteeners' impact extends beyond music, notably after the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. They transformed a stadium show into a statement of unity, with Fray reading a poem celebrating the city's diversity. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham praises their role in bringing young Mancunians together, noting that backlash against them reflects a broader northern experience of being "punished for being completely true to where they are from."
The band's appeal spans generations, from 18-year-old Charlotte, who attends their massive Heaton Park shows, to 56-year-old Paul, who has seen them over 100 times. Fray recently overheard a secondary school band practicing "Not Nineteen Forever" in the same rehearsal unit Courteeners use, prompting photos with the stunned kids. "We've gone multi-generational," he says proudly.
Looking Ahead: New Music and Personal Evolution
For the new greatest hits collection, Fray wrote two new songs: the romantic "Plus One Forever" and the plaintive "The Luckiest Man Alive." While Courteeners once catalogued Manchester hedonism, the latter targets suburban life, a lifestyle Fray is "leaning into." He rhapsodises about National Trust membership, M&S menswear, and podcasts, arguing that everyday details are exactly "what people are interested in."
Despite being diagnosed with arthritis in both feet from years of tiptoe singing, requiring lifelong injections, Fray remains committed to performing. "It's not going to stop me," he insists, dedicated to creating joyful memories for fans. Now in his 40s, he sees this decade as a time for "finding out who I am. Because I was just in the Courteeners." With a smile, he adds, "And that's a lot for anyone."
