Teenage Fanclub at Saint Lukes

Teenage Fanclub are at the age and stage where they can pick and choose venues they want to play. In recent years, this has led to them playing places they have never played before- whether that be a cave named The Devils Arse in Derbyshire, a converted fire station in Carlisle, or even Mongolia! 

Closer to home, Saint Luke's in Glasgow (just around the corner from the Barrowland) is a converted church that has become a real favourite of mine since opening in September 2015 thanks to Commonwealth Games funding (and other sources). 

With a capacity of 600, this is far too small a venue for a hometown Teenage Fanclub show. They sold out a second night and then added an SWG3 show which has also sold out - fantastic! 

Approaching the end of a length European tour, the Fannies were in sizzling form. Guitars were loud and fuzzy, there were a few surprises in the set and plenty of old favourites. In my previous blog I mentioned Stevie Wonder's beautiful smile and I'm going to mention Norman's smiles and grins here, when he turns, or spins, or catches someone's eye. His smiles never fail to make me smile too.

How good were the Fanclub? Well my friend Lorna immediately went on Twickets after the show to pick up a ticket for tonight to see them again! With the promise of some different songs by the band. As Norman said 'we'll no doubt see some of you again tomorrow.'

It's a super busy week for me with gigs and life stuff. So here is a snapshot bulleted review of highlights.

New songs

• Tomorrow People
• Day in the Sun
• There Was You
• Over and Over

The first two were my favourites. Euros organ breakdown in Tomorrow People into the outro was superb (better live than on record) and for me, Day in the Sun, is a standout from the new album.

Surprises

• The jam at the end of Metal Baby - delightful and cool.
• The Cabbage - are the band aware of the current Glasgow guitar scene and the night called The Cabbage after this song? Maybe they should play it sometime?

Highlights

• Norman's magnificent 3-song run of Mellow Doubt, Did I Say and I Don't Want Control Of You. Wow! What a songwriter.
• Raymond's Everything Is Falling Apart. Is it just me or is getting funkier and groovier?
• The band zipping through I'm In Love - areal favourite of mine. 
• Raymond's poignant beauty My Uptight Life - the outro, slowed down, hushed, is gorgeous.

Encore

• Guitars turned up for Alcoholiday, Can't Feel My Soul and Everything Flows. Oooft!