Date: Tuesday 5th November 2025
Venue: The Leadmill, Sheffield
When an indie rock institution like the Courteeners drops a new album, it’s not just a release; it’s an event. And with the legendary Leadmill as the stage, the band brought their signature Manchester charisma to Sheffield for a night that felt like a celebration of the past, present, and future of a band that has not played this stage since their inception at the tail end of the 00s. This was a gig where old classics met fresh tracks off their forthcoming album, Pink Cactus Cafe, and a crowd full of loyal (and young) fans sang along to every word—old and new.
Photos and Gig Review Myself (Sadly Couldnt get a photo Pass on this occasion so it's phone photos!)
The anticipation was electric. As soon as the lights dimmed and the band took to the stage, they were met with chants of “Liam, Liam, Liam” as they awaited Frontman Liam Fray’s entry to the stage, the room buzzed with excitement. They kicked things off with two upcoming tracks from the soon-to-be-released album, Sweet Surrender and First Name Terms were received well, before fan favourites and live staples in the form of Acrylic, Modern Love and Small Bones raised the crowds energy to that of their usual live shows.
The new songs carry the band’s trademark mix of catchy guitar hooks and raw, heartfelt lyrics—an evolution in sound but still unmistakably Courteeners. Fray’s introspective lyrics and catchy choruses had the crowd hanging on every note, showing that these tracks were already starting to resonate just as much as the band’s older material. From the outset, Fray had the audience in the palm of his hand.
Between songs, Fray shared banter and moments with the crowd, bringing that unpolished, down-to-earth charm that Courteeners fans love. It’s clear that Sheffield holds a special place in the band’s heart, and the Leadmill—a venue with its own storied history—proved to be the perfect place to showcase the new material. The intimate setting allowed fans to feel up close and personal with the music, giving the night an extra layer of connection.
Highlights included staples like “Are You in Love with a Notion?” and “Not Nineteen Forever” which sounded as energetic as ever. But it was the contrast between these fan favorites and the fresh tracks that made the night feel like a passing of the torch from one era to the next. Fray’s vocals were as passionate as ever, and the band are clearly enjoying this mix of new and old tracks, visibly enjoying as they blitzed through the 55-minute-long set.
As the show wrapped up, it was clear that this was more than an album release—it was a reminder of why the Courteeners have cultivated a loyal fanbase for so long. Old hits and new songs blended seamlessly, leaving the crowd buzzing with excitement as they exited onto the streets of Sheffield.
For fans who came to sing along, reminisce, and discover, this show at The Leadmill was one to remember—a pure celebration of music, memory, and the unmistakable magic that is Courteeners.
Setlist:
Sweet Surrender
First Name Terms
Acrylic
Modern Love
Small Bones
Pink Cactus Cafe
The Beginning of the End
Solitude of the Night Bus
The 17th
Are You in Love With a Notion?
Not Nineteen Forever