Teenage Fanclub Bring Timeless Melodies and Fresh Energy to Chester Live Rooms
- Desh Kapur
- 38 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Teenage Fanclub - Chester Live Rooms - 10th August 2025
IMAGES / WORDS DESH KAPUR
Nestled in the heart of the city, Chester Live Rooms has become one of the region’s most reliable spaces for intimate, high-quality gigs—its compact size allowing audiences to be up close with some of the most beloved names in music. On Sunday night, that honour went to Teenage Fanclub, a band whose career stretches back to the early ’90s and is steeped in jangly guitar hooks, heartfelt melodies, and an unwavering knack for crafting timeless songs. From their breakthrough with Bandwagonesque to their most recent work Endless Arcade, the Glaswegian outfit have built a legacy of warmth, sincerity, and musical craftsmanship that few can match.
Taking to the stage with their trademark understated charm, Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley wasted no time in showcasing the lush guitar interplay that remains a defining hallmark of the band’s sound. Their twin guitars shimmered with the warm, rich tones that have long been the group’s signature, each chord change radiating familiarity and comfort. The expanded live lineup, featuring Euros Childs on keys and Dave McGowan (Belle and Sebastian ) on bass, added new layers of texture—subtle psychedelic flourishes and a gentle lushness that gave the arrangements extra depth.
The set was a generous sweep through Teenage Fanclub’s extensive catalogue, blending crowd-pleasing classics with material from Endless Arcade. While the newer tracks were met with attentive appreciation, it was the older favourites that lit up the room—singalong choruses echoing back to the stage as fans relived the soundtrack of their youth. “Everything Flows” and “I Don't Want Control Of You” brought smiles and sway, while “The Concept” felt like a warm embrace from an old friend.
Euros Childs’ presence was warmly received, his keyboard contributions giving the music a richer, more expansive feel. That said, there was a noticeable pang of nostalgia from some in the crowd at the absence of Gerard Love, whose melodic bass lines and vocals once formed a key part of the band’s identity. Still, Dave McGowan tasteful playing ensured the low end remained in safe hands.
Throughout the night, Teenage Fanclub’s connection with their audience was effortless. Norman’s easy banter between songs, coupled with the band’s unshowy confidence, made the performance feel like a conversation rather than a spectacle. It was a reminder that longevity in music isn’t just about survival—it’s about evolving while staying true to what makes you special.
By the end of the set, there was no doubt that Teenage Fanclub’s enduring appeal lies in their ability to offer both nostalgia and freshness in equal measure. In the close quarters of Chester Live Rooms, their sound felt more personal than ever, reaffirming that even after all these years, they still know exactly how to hit the right notes—both musically and emotionally.
SET LIST
1/ Endless Arcade
2/ Home
3/ About You
4/ It's All In My Mind
5/ Metal Baby
6/ I Don't Want Control
7/ Come With Me
8/ Everything is Falling
9/ Middle Of My Mind
10/ What You Do To Me
11/ Falling Into The Sun
12/ I'm In Love
13/ 120 Mins
14/ Neil Jung
15/ The World'll Be Ok
16/ My Uptight Life
17/ The Concept
ENCORE
18/ Did I Say
19/ Thaw Me
20/ Everything Flows
FOLLOW TEENAGE FANCLUB
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