I’m at the back of the near 400 capacity first floor live space at Hackney’s Oslo. Iggy Pop’s seminal Lust For Life come overs the PA and the crowd swells. Partly of the same name, Courting released their third album a month ago. Full of creative idiosyncrasies and tension, on Rockshot Magazine’s very own review of the album, we loved the immediacy of the record and the melting pot of ideas throughout the whistle-stop 25 minute project and that same energy was certainly felt seeing them perform live.
Courting @ Oslo, London
Courting take to the stage bang on 9:30pm. “Good evening fuckers,” singer Sean Murphy-O’Neill says before they power straight into Pause At You from their most recent album Lust For Life, Or: ‘How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story. Released last month, the foursome’s third album is complex; a tension runs throughout, blending crowd-pleasing anthems and bold electronic experimentation to make it one of the most interesting records of the year so far.
Tennis, one of a number of sporting based songs of theirs, is propelled by the drums of Sean Thomas and bass of Connor McCann followed by the sinister After You with its hypnotic beat and wall-of-guitar sound. Given that in the 2020’s there has been a dearth of bands in the official charts, it’s still heartening to see that there are young bands producing great rock music and are playing sold out shows to swathes of young fans.
Switching up to a more light hearted song about young love Eleven Sent (This Time), which even comes with it’s own icebreaker joke in the lyrics: “I read a joke on the back of a six-pack, And I think it’s something that you’d like: Why did the blond girl get a perm? Because her trainer said the curls might help.” Whilst that might be the sort of thing you’d read on the back of a Penguin bar (do they still make Penguin bars?), rest assured, if you p-p-p-picking up a Courting album you’ll be satiated. Purely because of their ability to evoke emotions. Sometimes that’s anxiety and paranoia; other times, it’s pure joy and elation.
Throughout their first few songs there is very noticeable feedback. At one point, I thought it might have been an artistic choice to add to their varied textured sound. It ultimately led to them restarting Namcy, due to what sounded like gunshots but was feedback from an amp. It didn’t phase the young quartet as they continued their high octane performance of the 2025 single.
Sean T masterully drives We Look Good Together (Big Words) and slowly brings it to a close. He’s the pulse of the group and whilst the guys up front might take plaudits through their riffs and strong guitar sound, Thomas holds things together.
Popshop! and Jumper have the crowd’s limbs flailing in unison as the energy only increases throughout the night. I’m happy I took my place towards the back of the room as ever increasing circles of; not quite moshing, maybe exhuberant dancing became frequent! That being said, the energy in the room was special, the band sounded great and the crowd really fed back off of them.
Crass from 2021’s Grand National EP gets tweaked when Sean includes the “She say, ‘Do you love me?’ I tell her, ‘Only partly'” lyrics to Drake’s God’s Plan showcasing the group’s light hearted approach and able to keep audiences guessing.
The epic title track Lust For Life begins with a slow beat and then gains a guitar melody. They keep you guessing where they’re going to take you. With a drum fill, Sean, then changes up the pace and the song begins it’s second part. One thing I love about Lust For Life the focus on the guitar sound and that was in full focus tonight. Josh Cope’s guitar was turned up to 11 and he masterfully played the lead guitar, intertwining melodic phrasing.
Flex from 2024’s New Last Name, has a cheeky nod to The Killers’ Mr Brightside with lyrics “Now she’s calling a cab, Yeah she’s calling a cab,” with the feverish crowd screaming the second part. The merseyside contingent end with Lust For Life album closer, Likely Place For Them To Be and highlights all four individuals. Cope plays a looping guitar motif, whilst Sean T on drums comes in with an energetic beat. There’s a pause to highlight a pulsating bassline from Connor McCann – who has been the heart of the rhythm all night, plays exceptionally throughout. Thomas’s drumming goes double time and the song swells to an almighty crescendo; the crowd absorbing the energy in unison. There’s really nothing like live music when it’s this captivating.
After exiting stage left, Courting return to the stage to rattle through 2020’s sub 2 minute Football before finally closing out with Loaded. The show cements Courting as one of the most exciting bands around. Not afraid to experiment in their music whilst putting on immensely energetic live performances. They are relentless in their drive. Since the start of 2022, they’ve released 3 albums and played live close to 150 times. They’re on an upward trajectory and following their most recent record, their creating the most interesting and creatively diverse music of their career whilst also delivering a killer live show. If you get a chance, go and see these guys because I’m sure you’ll see the climbing up festival lineups sooner rather than later.
Whilst their most recent UK tour has concluded, Courting have a run of festivals this summer, you can catch them here:
MAY
16th – The Great Escape, Brighton
24th – Footfest, Falmouth
25th – BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Liverpool
JULY
25th – In It Together, Chester
26th – Truck Festival, Oxford
Live review of Courting @ Oslo, Hackney by Chris Lambert on 9th April 2025. Photography by Charlie Harris.
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