Courteeners Liam Fray Backs Andy Burnham for Labour Leadership
Liam Fray, frontman of Courteeners, backed Andy Burnham’s bid for the Labour Party leadership during a July 9 interview with Radio X. Fray praised Burnham’s tenure in Manchester, supporting the former Greater Manchester Mayor who secured 322 MP endorsements and is expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister on July 20.
The intersection of indie rock royalty and Westminster power isn't just a quirk of regional pride. For Fray, the endorsement arrives as he prepares to release the band's first "best of" compilation and a UK arena tour.
Burnham’s Political Ascent and the Courteeners Connection
Andy Burnham’s path to 10 Downing Street has been paved with overt nods to Manchester’s cultural exports. According to Radio X host Johnny Vaughan, Burnham has frequently integrated the Courteeners lyric “God bless the band” into his public speeches. This is not a new development; in 2021, Burnham utilized the same phrase during his Greater Manchester mayoral election victory speech to connect with the crowd, stating, “God bless the band. If you know, you know…”
The political utility of the “Manchester sound” extends beyond Fray. Oasis granted Burnham permission to use the track “Some Might Say” in a by-election campaign video.
During the July 9 interview, Fray was blunt about his admiration for Burnham, stating, “I think he’s done a fantastic job in Manchester.” When pushed on the specifics of Burnham’s achievements, Fray pivoted to a joke, suggesting Burnham’s primary success was simply attending Courteeners’ gigs. “Listen, he’s got good taste,” Fray added. “What more can you say?”
The Business of the ‘Best Of’ and the Oasis Orbit
Fray’s political commentary comes at a precise moment of commercial transition. On August 28, Courteeners will release their first ‘best of’ compilation, titled God Bless The Band. The album’s title directly mirrors the lyric Burnham has championed. The collection will feature the recent singles “The Luckiest Man Alive” and “Plus One Forever.”
The timing of this release coincides with a homecoming show at Wythenshawe Park next month, featuring support from The Vaccines, The Coral and more. Following this, the band will headline Tramlines in Sheffield before launching a full UK arena tour in November.
Fray also addressed the possibility of supporting Oasis during their reunion run. Having attended their shows at Heaton Park and Wembley—where Liam and Noel Gallagher performed together for the first time in 16 years—Fray confirmed he would “probably” answer the call if asked to support further live dates next year.
Survival Metrics in a Volatile Industry
Reflecting on the band’s longevity, Fray spoke with NME in April regarding the psychological toll of the music business. After celebrating their 20th anniversary with a small-scale show at Manchester’s Night & Day Café, Fray described the industry as a force that will “kick the shit out of you.” He characterized the band’s continued existence and desire to perform as “a fucking miracle.”
From a business perspective, the decision to release a “best of” rather than a full studio album was a matter of curation over creation. Fray admitted to NME that while he had new songs, there “wasn’t an album there,” and that the compilation required relatively little effort from the band’s perspective—aside from spending six weeks on the artwork.