The Courteeners will be heading to Newcastle’s O2 Academy on Monday 30th November.
Liam Fray and co.’s last time in Newcastle was November last year, to celebrate the release of their fourth studio album Concrete Love, which debuted in the charts at number 3 - the highest spot the band have ever held in the album charts.
This year, to coincide with the tour, the band have re-released Concrete Love with a few exclusive additions. This revamped, deluxe edition of the album will be called Concrete Love – Extra Love and is set to be released on 27th November. The new additions to the deluxe edition of the album include acoustic versions of ‘Summer’, ‘How Good It Was’, ‘International’ and ‘Small Bones’, three rare EP tracks, and Christmas single ‘Winter Winderland’, which is released as a charity fund-raiser.
The Courteeners will donate all the proceedings that they make from ‘Winter Wonderland’ to the UK-based charity Shelter, which helps the people struggling in bad housing or those faced with homelessness by providing advice, support and legal services. The charity have tweeted their thanks to the band. Shelter wrote: “Thanks Liam, both for the kind words and this fantastic gesture.”
The single carries quite a narrative too. It was initially written on Norah Jones’ piano in her New York home. In 2011, The Courteeners were asked to perform the Christmas number at a show curated by Lou Reed. It was only recorded this September, for release this Christmas.
‘Winter Wonderland’ was first played over the airways on Phil Clifton's Radio X show on Monday 16th November. The limited edition of the ‘Winter Wonderland’ 7” single is ready for preorder over at The Courteeners’ website. It will be released, in physical, on the 15th January 2016.
Connor McDonnell