The Courteeners give nod to Oasis, The Smiths at huge hometown gig

The Courteeners dedicated a song to Oasis, The Smiths and The Stone Roses during their biggest ever hometown show last night (December 10).

Singer Liam Fray gave the nod to Manchester's past musical heroes before playing 'Sycophant', a track from the band's second album 'Falcon', as they wrapped up their UK tour at the city's MEN Arena.

"Manchester, your band has arrived" Fray told the crowd as the four-piece took to the stage to play a triumphant set which mixed songs from 'Falcon' with tracks from their debut album 'St Jude'.

The band inspired huge singalongs from the jubilant crowd during their first song 'The Opener', with fan favourites 'Acrylic' and 'Cavorting' among the tracks which also inspired raucous scenes.

Meanwhile, Fray played a two-song solo set on a small stage at the centre of the arena during the gig and asked for the house lights to be switched on so he could see his fans.

"When we started this band we never dreamed we'd play a place like this. Actually, I'm lying - I fucking knew we would," he told the crowd before running through stripped-down versions of 'No You Didn't, No You Don't' and 'How Come?'.

The rest of the band then returned to the stage to wrap up the show with rapturously-received singles 'You Overdid It Doll', 'Not Nineteen Forever' and 'What Took You So Long'.

The Courteeners played:

'The Opener'
'Will It Be This Way Forever?'
'Acrylic'
'Cavorting'
'Good Times Are Calling'
'Cross My Heart & Hope To Fly'
'Lullaby'
'Please Don't'
'Scratch Your Name Upon My Lips'
'Sycophant'
'Bide Your Time'
'Take Over The World'
'That Kiss'
'Cameo Brooche'
'Fallowfield Hillbilly'
'How Come'
'No You Didn't, No You Don't'
'The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home'
'You Overdid It Doll'
'Not Nineteen Forever'
'What Took You So Long?'

Support at the gig came from another hometown band - I Am Kloot - and The Last Shadow Puppets member Miles Kane.