Courting | The Rainbow, Birmingham | 10/02/24

“This has to be the best crowd of the tour so far” smiles Courting, as they literally tear the roof down in Birmingham.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Forming more than five years ago, Courting is no stranger to throwing a rock show just about anywhere they find themselves. Since bouncing onto the scene, it feels as if they’ve toured non-stop; popping up at major festivals, joining Circa Waves as support and boasting their headline tour.

Look them up and you’ll find this Liverpool four-piece associated with post-punk, art punk and hyperpop. In reality, there’s no fun boxing in a band this fresh, dynamic and creative. Comprising Sean Murphy-O’Neill, Sean Thomas, Joshua Cope and Connor McCann, Courting is a band that’s probably already hit your playlist.

Now backed by two albums, each differing stylistically, the boys hit the road to show the UK a good time. Tonight was Birmingham, a packed-out room at Digbeth’s own The Rainbow.

You’d think after technical difficulties just the night before, the band would be nervous, perhaps on edge. Not these boys. Playful and confident as ever, they hopped onto the stage after watching the support (Flat Party) from the crowd with fans.

Mosh pits weren’t far behind, in classic Courting style, triggered from the opening riff of Tennis. A tune that belongs on festival stages, one so energetic it can’t be contained in a basement.

Moments later, during Jumper, those same moves literally pulled the AC from the ceiling, giving a new meaning to ‘bring the house down’. The crowd, unphased and laughing hysterically, bounced - bursting the barricade and letting the AC crowd surf.

Cycling through a setlist full of old, new and even covers, they had the crowd wanting more after every tune. It’s nights like these you can bounce, groove and scream all back-to-back. Popshop and Famous ignited even bigger mosh pits than before, and We Look Good Together turned the basement into a glamorous disco. One of our favourite moments, in fact.

Covering Fun’s 2012 classic We Are Young, was somewhat unexpected, but has never sounded so good, unlocking a nostalgia in everyone. But it was Bad Idea, Right? which took on a life of its own. Originally recorded for a session with Jack Saunders on Radio 1, Rodrigo’s track has become a staple of the Courting setlist ever since. You can’t help but throw yourself in and sing along.

This is a band that has found self-awareness and humour in developing as artists. A few years ago, they joked ‘if you stream Shape Of You, you’re going to hell’. Now, they have the freedom to embrace everything. And it all started with New Last Name, their enviable new pop-rock album.

:: Round-Up ::

It was a night that was as playful as it was triumphant, reinforcing the fact you don’t always need to take yourself seriously. Even as a rock band. With references to Flappy Bird, a riff rendition of Nokia’s ringtone and bottle flips, Courting basked in the fun of it all.

The band did not disappoint. Tearing up the basement, it was the most fun we’ve had at a concert in a while. Dubbing the crowd ‘the best of the tour so far’, there are no questions as to why. Courting is on fire, and there are still tickets for the remaining tour dates, alongside huge festival appearances this Summer.

If you haven’t seen these boys yet, get down. It’s a guaranteed good time, every time.

See full setlist on Setlist.fm. Were you at the show? Check out our Insta and TikTok for videos, or share your own with us.