The Courteeners, Apollo, Manchester

I CAN’T say I’ve ever seen a lead singer face a barrage of shoes being launched at the stage mid-song.

But fans of Middleton musicians The Courteeners are an enthusiastic bunch and were more than ready to get the weekend started yesterday on the first of a three-night stint.

A year since their triumphant homecoming gig at the MEN Arena, the indie rockers are back at a more intimate venue ready to mix their anthemic classics from their two albums St Jude (2008) and Falcon (2010) with a smattering of forthcoming hits.

Swaggering on stage dressed in black, charming frontman Liam Fray kicked off proceedings by blowing a kiss to the excitable audience before launching into three back-to-back songs including “The Opener” and “No You Didn’t, No You Don’t”.

In among vintage hits including “Scratch Your Name Across My Lips” and “Take Over The World”, were a selection of new songs to be released next year.

With “Not Nineteen Forever” and “What Took You So Long” ending the set, the frantic fans launched shoes, plastic pint glasses and even people into the air in pure joy.

Liam admitted that 12 months away from Manchester and his followers was too long.

Last night’s legion of fans couldn’t agree more.