While at the University of Salford (studying creative writing), Fray started performing acoustic sets as a singer-songwriter around bars and at open-mic nights in Manchester.

[6] The Courteeners were approached by producer, Stephen Street of The Smiths, Blur and Morrissey fame about the possibility of working together.

[12] By October 2008 the band had begun a sell out tour of major venues across the UK including two nights at Manchester Apollo and London's Shepherd's Bush Empire.

December 2008 saw the band crowned inaugural winners of the Guardian's First British Album Award beating off strong competition from Glasvegas, Duffy, Adele and Noah and the Whale.

[13] In March 2009 the band made their US debut with a headline show at New York's Mercury Lounge, followed by a month touring the States as special guests of Morrissey on his 'Tour of Refusal'.

Over 18 dates included appearances at New York's famous Carnegie Hall, the Dallas Palladium and Albuquerque's Sunshine Theatre.

In the UK the band played the 2009 Reading and Leeds Festivals on the main stage along with Arctic Monkeys, The Prodigy and Ian Brown.

The album was recorded at ICP Studios in Belgium and produced by Ed Buller (White Lies, Pulp, Suede).

Many songs from the band's second album including "The Opener", "You Overdid It Doll" and "Take Over the World" made their live debuts at two UK shows in December 2009.

The tour included dates at London's Brixton Academy, Blackburn's King George's Hall and Blackpool's Empress Ballroom.

On 5 November 2010, the Courteeners announced a 5-song EP on their official website which include 2 songs from Falcon, "Lullaby" and "Scratch Your Name Upon My Lips".

They also played a headline show at Haigh Hall, Wigan in June of that year with support from The Coral and Cherry Ghost.

On 23 June 2012, the band played a free show in Manchester's Albert Square in the shadow of the town hall.

In support of the album the band embarked on a UK and European "Anna Tour" with 22 shows in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Austria, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

On 5 and 6 July 2013 Courteeners played at Castlefield Bowl, Deansgate, Manchester with support acts including The Strypes, Miles Kane and The Heartbreaks.

The band headlined the Radio One/NME Stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals 2014 and appeared as special guests of The Killers in Summer Sessions gig at Glasgow's Bellahouston Park.

The album was supported by a 19-date UK Tour in October and November, including shows at Brixton Academy in London and Echo Arena Liverpool.

On 5 June 2015, the band played one of their biggest headline gigs at Manchester's Heaton Park,[25][26] supported by Blossoms, Bipolar Sunshine and Peace.

[27] Q Magazine gave the gig 5 out of 5 stars, describing it as "their equivalent of the Stone Roses’ Spike Island or Oasis’ Maine Road... less like a performance, more like a reciprocal communion.

[37] During their slot at T in the Park on 8 July 2016, Liam Fray mentioned that they had "finished recording their newest album", hinting its upcoming release.

Its first single "The 17th" aired just after midnight that night on Radio X and was released on Spotify and iTunes along with the ability to preorder the upcoming album.

We’ve finally finished our best (and dare I even suggest, sexiest) set of songs ever so get ready to unleash your inner Danny Zuko and prepare to be (at least mildly) impressed.

"[40] The deluxe version of the album, which was recorded at Real World Studios In Paris, includes a DVD of the band's sell out headline gig at Heaton Park on 5 June 2015 where they played to 25,000 people.

In support of the album the band embarked on a UK[41] and European tour playing throughout November and December in England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and France.

On 27 May 2017, Courteeners played their biggest gig to date, a sold-out headline homecoming show to 50,000 people[42][43] at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester with support acts The Charlatans, Cabbage and Blossoms.

[48] They announced another gig at Heaton Park for 9 June 2023 the same day, the tickets for which sold out in eight hours, marking the band's third sold-out concert there.

[59] In December 2014, after a special Paul Heaton's benefit concert 'Hope for Christmas' Courteeners donated over £1,000 to two foodbanks including one of their hometown of Middleton.

[61] On 2 April 2016, Courteeners (initially billed as 'Liam Fray')[62] headlined a tribute concert for Viola Beach in Warrington, with all proceeds going towards the families of the band members and their manager.

[63] Viola Beach, who were killed in a car crash in Sweden together with their manager Craig Tarry, previously supported Courteeners on three of their UK tour 2015 dates.

[64] On 24 May 2019, Courteeners along with Blossoms, Bugzy Malone and other artists performed at Victoria Warehouse for the inaugural ‘Raise The Roof’ benefit gig, the proceeds went towards the homeless in the city area.