Manchester rockers The Courteeners will take over Manchester's Heaton Park for a huge homecoming gig in June 2023 to mark 15 years since the release of their debut album St Jude. It will be the third time that the Middleton band have held court at Greater Manchester's biggest park for a landmark moment in their career.
The Heaton Park gig, on Friday 9th June 2023 will mark the release of their seminal album which has become a modern indie classic. It spawned some of the band's biggest anthems like Not Nineteen Forever, Cavorting and What Took You So Long?
Frontman Liam Fray had got fans into a frenzy at the start of the week teasing the big announcement by sharing a photo of the iconic St Jude album artwork. With it he shared the message: "15 next year... is that a reason to celebrate?"
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And fans will indeed be able to celebrate with confirmation of the gig which is set to be one of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the summer in Manchester. Tickets for the gig will go on sale on Friday, September at 9am.
After selling out the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground in 2021 to over 50,000 fans in just 90 minutes, high demand is expected - and fans are encouraged to snap up their tickets early to avoid disappointment. Courteeners have become one of the UK's biggest bands and known as a trailblazing force in modern guitar music.
Released in 2008, St Jude launched Courteeners into the wider public consciousness, and they have gone on to release a further five albums and sold out gigs across the UK. In what will be the band’s third headline appearance at Heaton Park following sold-out nights in 2015 and 2019, the band promise a special celebration of St Jude 15 years on - playing the album in full alongside their greatest hits.
Speaking about the special St Jude Heaton Park show, Liam Fray said today: "They grow up so fast. Can’t believe our darling St. Jude is 15 next year.
"Think it’s time for a celebration and we all know that great things come in threes….The Star Wars Trilogy, Sooty, Sweep & Soo and now, here we are, with the third instalment of ‘Courteeners at Heaton Park’. June 2015. June 2019 and now June 2023 …
"This time, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its release we’ll be playing ST. JUDE (in full) PLUS (of course) THE HITS. I can’t think of any better way to celebrate than to make the pilgrimage to Heaton Park with like-minded souls and lose ourselves like it’s 2008.
"And, because we’re good like that, we’ve remastered the original album …" He concluded his statement by saying: "GOD BLESS THE BAND. GOD BLESS THE FANS. OMNE TRIUM PERFECTUM."
Tickets for the June 9, 2023 gig at Heaton Park will go on sale from 9am on Friday, September 2. Ticket sales updates will be at the Courteeners website here.
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