God Bless The Band: Courteeners Announce ‘Best Of’ Album and 2026 UK Arena Tour

Celebrate 20 years of Courteeners with their ‘best of’ album, ‘God Bless The Band,’ featuring new single ‘The Luckiest Man Alive’ and a massive 2026 arena tour.

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

There’s something magical about hitting the 20-year mark, especially when it comes to a band that has been the soundtrack to so many indie nights and memorable moments. The Courteeners, those Manchester indie legends, are marking two decades since their first gig with a special treat for fans: their very first ‘best of’ album titled God Bless The Band. Launched with the reflective, guitar-driven single The Luckiest Man Alive, this compilation isn’t just a greatest hits package — it’s a carefully curated journey through their career, spanning from their 2008 debut St Jude all the way to their 2024 album Pink Cactus Café.

Frontman Liam Fray teamed up with James Skelly of The Coral to produce not only the new single but also Plus One Forever, another fresh track gracing the album. The timing couldn’t be better, especially with their massive sold-out homecoming show at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park scheduled for August 28.

“In October it’s 20 years since our first gig, so with a couple of new songs fresh from the studio, the timing just seemed right for a best of,” said Fray. “If we mean half as much to people as they have done to us over the years, then we’ve not done too bad. We look forward to seeing you down the front God Bless The Fans x.”

Watch the official visualiser for The Luckiest Man Alive here:
https://www.inoreader.com/yt-embed/?v=U32GiLzh7f8

Launch Gigs and a Massive 2026 Arena Tour

Following the excitement of an intimate launch gig at Manchester’s beloved Night & Day on April 11, the band announced a UK arena tour for November 2026. What warms the heart even more is their commitment to the music community: for every ticket sold, £1 plus VAT will be donated to the LIVE Trust. This new initiative supports grassroots venues and artists, a cause that’s crucial for nurturing the next generation of musicians and preserving the music scene that the Courteeners themselves grew out of.

Jon Collins, CEO of the LIVE Trust, praised their contribution, saying, “This donation will directly benefit the full grassroots ecosystem – from venues and artists to promoters and festivals – helping to protect, expand and support grassroots music across the UK.”

The Courteeners will be joined on tour by The Lathums, adding another layer of indie goodness to the show lineup.

The stunning cover art of Courteeners’ ‘God Bless The Band’ compilation.

Reflecting on Two Decades of Indie Anthems

When you think about Courteeners, the instantly recognizable anthem Not Nineteen Forever often springs to mind. It’s a track that has echoed through countless indie discos and singalongs, a true 21st-century guitar classic.

The band’s journey is impressive — over 1 million albums sold in the UK, with their last four albums reaching the UK Top 5. Remarkably, their debut St Jude climbed to Number One a full 15 years after its initial release, an achievement that speaks volumes about their lasting impact and fan loyalty.

Back in 2020, Liam Fray candidly discussed the band’s evolution and the early criticism they faced. “I felt like they came for us with pitchforks on the first record because they built us up so much. It was always going to be difficult to live up to the hype,” he shared. “The first record was well-received by fans but not critics, so then you second-guess everything. If there was no one at the shows then we would have packed it in, but there were loads of people at the shows. I’d much rather appeal to these thousand fans than these six critics.”

He added a particularly telling reflection that captures the essence of the band’s fan base and identity: “Broadsheet journalists went for us, but maybe the band wasn’t for broadsheet journalists. It was for the 18-year-old kids at indie discos.”

Courteeners looking sharp and ready for their 20th anniversary celebrations.

Fray also acknowledged how much they’ve grown, both musically and personally: “We still get treated as if it is still 2007. Musically we’ve changed, I’m a 34-year-old man now, I’m not a 21-year-old kid getting off his head six days out of seven.”

https://www.inoreader.com/yt-embed/?v=U32GiLzh7f8

God Bless The Band – Track List and Formats

The compilation is available on heavyweight black double LP, a retail-exclusive clear double LP, and CD. For the die-hard fans, there’s also a deluxe edition with 11 extra tracks, available exclusively through the Courteeners’ official store.

Here’s the core tracklist for God Bless The Band:

• Are You In Love With A Notion?
• Cavorting
• Acrylic
• You Overdid It Doll
• Pink Cactus Café
• Summer
• Take Over The World
• Bide Your Time
• Small Bones
• The 17th
• Fallowfield Hillbilly
• That Kiss
• Lose Control
• Modern Love
• Sycophant
• Hanging Off Your Cloud
• The Luckiest Man Alive
• What Took You So Long?
• Not Nineteen Forever
• Plus One Forever

Deluxe album formats include these additional gems:

• Sweet Surrender
• Chipping Away
• Smiths Disco
• Sunflower
• Winter Wonderland
• The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home
• International (Acoustic)
• Beautiful Head
• More. Again. Forever.
• 20th Century Boy / Cigarettes & Alcohol (BBC Radio 2 Session – Live at Glastonbury)
• Here Come The Young Men

https://www.inoreader.com/yt-embed/?v=U32GiLzh7f8

Upcoming Shows and Special Releases

Before their November arena tour, Courteeners have already lined up some exciting summer shows in July and August, including headline spots at Tramlines Festival in Sheffield and their monumental Wythenshawe Park show in Manchester.

Additionally, as part of Record Store Day 2026 on April 11, the band will release a limited-edition Live In Manchester album on vinyl, recorded during their 2024 Co-Op Live performance. This is a real treat for collectors and fans who want to own a piece of the band’s electric live energy.

Courteeners 2026 UK Arena Tour Dates:

November 2026

• Friday 6th – Leeds, First Direct Arena
• Saturday 7th – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
• Friday 13th – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
• Saturday 14th – London, Alexandra Palace
• Friday 20th – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
• Saturday 21st – Birmingham, Utilita Arena

Ticket pre-sales start Wednesday, April 15, with general sales beginning on Friday, April 17.

Why This Moment Feels So Special

God Bless The Band isn’t just a celebration of the Courteeners’ incredible two-decade journey; it’s a thank you letter to fans who have stood by them through thick and thin. From gritty, youthful anthems to mature, heartfelt tunes, this collection captures the evolution of a band that’s weathered criticism and grown into their own unique indie voice.

It’s rare to see a band this dedicated not only to their music but also their community, supporting grassroots venues through the LIVE Trust and sharing their milestones in such a genuine way.

“If we mean half as much to people as they have done to us over the years, then we’ve not done too bad.” — Liam Fray

FAQ

• What is the significance of the album title God Bless The Band?
  The title is taken from a lyric in their classic song Not Nineteen Forever, symbolizing a heartfelt nod to their fans and the journey of the band over 20 years.
• When is God Bless The Band released?
  The album drops on Friday, August 28, 2026, just ahead of their huge Manchester homecoming show.
• Are there any new songs on the compilation?
  Yes, the album features two brand-new tracks: The Luckiest Man Alive and Plus One Forever, both produced by Liam Fray and James Skelly.
• What formats will the album be available in?
  It’s available on heavyweight black double LP, a clear double LP exclusive to retail, CD, and a deluxe edition with extra tracks sold only through the band’s official store.
• How can fans support the LIVE Trust through the Courteeners’ tour?
  £1 plus VAT from every ticket sold during the 2026 UK arena tour will be donated to the LIVE Trust to help grassroots music venues and artists.

Ready to bring the spirit of the Courteeners into your own space? Shop your favorite album cover poster and celebrate the band’s milestone in style at our store here.