The Courteeners - Fibbers Launch Night (Live Review)
Monday, 06 September 2010
Written by Adam Simpson
The flyers promised the folk of York, that Fibbers was to become the “Biggest Thing To Hit York Since The Vikings.” A bold statement indeed, but one that has now become totally justified.
Tokyo Industries claim they have only spent £250,000 on the refurbishment. Well considering what the old venue was like, compared with the new, they have certainly obtained value for money. A top of the range Funktion One sound system, which due to the new layout, actually projects the sound around the venue, unlike the old layout, which swallowed up the sound. A new stage and floor, which allows a good view of the action, from almost anywhere within the venue and a fantastic, very Factory, decor, with subtle touches of atmospheric magic everywhere.
It is no VIP lounge, but so what it is an intimate live music venue, but this intimate venue is now fantastic. It is up there with some of the best venues in the country now and it will hopefully draw bigger names for York’s music fans and also provide a fantastic venue for the cities up and coming talent to make a name for themselves.
Having attended the old venue on many occasions, I was shocked when I entered the new venue, kindly given access on the opening night before the doors opened and showed around by Tokyo Industries MD Aaron Mellor and Tokyo Industries PR, Joanna Simpson, I struggled to picture the old Fibbers, such was the dramatic refurbishment and the attention to quality and also enjoyment as a music fan, due to the fantastic sound system and attention to sight lines throughout the venue, with very few blind spots.
The opening night hosted Manchester’s brilliant, The Courteeners and it is little wonder that the venue was a sell out within hours. At full capacity, the single bar struggled a little, however with a second bar to be installed very soon, the venue will manage full attendances very well and I am sure that there will be plenty more full house nights.
Sharing the entertainment between live music and club nights, the venue plans to offer the public great bands and top DJ’s, whilst maintaining a pledge to support upcoming groups.
As a York resident, I am utterly grateful to Tokyo Industries for their buy out of Fibbers and as far as I am concerned, yes this really is the biggest thing to hit York, since the Vikings and I reckon that Fibbers is a lot more fun also.
But what about The Courteeners, well they were late out, but I didn’t care, I love this band and thoroughly loved their set. It was great to see a group play a long set also, too many groups offer their paying audiences sets that are far too short.
The Manchester four piece gave York something to smile about, taking to the stage and playing their rousing set of alternative indie rock, which they seem to play with all the swagger that the Gallagher brothers used to grace audiences with, but without the cocky arrogance. The band ooze coolness, but they also ooze normality, like four lads down your local.
Musically, they were excellent, but did you expect anything else, if Morrissey is a huge fan. Playing songs from their debut album St. Jude and second album Falcon, The Courteeners roused the crowd and turned the atmosphere into an electric mass of testosterone filled chants.
It almost felt like I was in the terraces watching Manchester Utd play Leeds, especially when the football chants between fans from both sides of the Pennines began, as The Courteeners late stage entry left their eager army of fans restless, but all went ahead without any crowd control needed.
Rocking, guitar music, lyrically brilliant and vocally fantastic, The Courteeners whole heartedly impressed me. Excellent from start to finish and capping a fantastic night at a fantastic venue. If Fibbers continue to book gigs like this, the place will rock!
Photo of The Courteeners courtesy of Kluens Photography
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The opening night hosted Manchester’s brilliant, The Courteeners and it is little wonder that the venue was a sell out within hours. At full capacity, the single bar struggled a little, however with a second bar to be installed very soon, the venue will manage full attendances very well and I am sure that there will be plenty more full house nights.
