Teenage Fanclub - Kelvingrove Bandstand 31/07/2025

A missed opportunity to capture the magic of the Bandstand

Glasgows Kelvingrove Bandstand is a truly special and historic venue, nestled amidst the stunning architecture of the West End. As part of the annual Summer Nights at the Bandstand series, it has hosted a remarkable array of talent, from legendary figures like Sir Tom Jones and Van Morrison to contemporary acts like Public Image Ltd, The National, Billy Ocean, and many others. The restored amphitheatre, with its intimate setting and natural acoustics, promises magical musical moments under the open sky. Its a place where I expect a band, especially a beloved local one, to truly shine.

However, for me and many others in attendance at Teenage Fanclubs show on Thursday, July 31st, 2025, the evening fell regrettably flat. The anticipation was palpable, though I certainly had a chuckle on arrival, spotting a "Middle Age Fanclub" t-shirt - a humorous, albeit perhaps prophetic, sign of the subdued atmosphere to come.

From the outset, the crowd remained largely seated, an early indicator of a night that the band struggled to ignite. It was a stark contrast to the lively energy I have seen from a Glasgow gig crowd, particularly from a band playing on home turf.

Among these, a new song with lyrics about "Summer nights and trees" was played early on, hitting the mark perfectly with its apt lyrics for the setting. "What You Do to Me" and "Neil Jung" in the middle get a good reaction.

Despite the scenic backdrop and the bands extensive catalogue, there was a noticeable lack of charisma and engagement from the stage. Comments made by Norman Blake were a bit all over the place - he pointed at another band member and started talking about "a tin of... something... Ill tell the story another day" - a story that never materialised - exemplified the detached feeling. It felt less like a polished performance for ticket-buying fans and more like a casual jam session among mates. I got the sense that the band had rolled out of bed that morning, remembered they had a concert to play that night, and decided to "just do it."

The audience, for their part, remained largely static. Usually expected for shoegaze indie - though not throughout an entire fannies gig!! There was applause, certainly, but few stood up or truly showed the kind of enthusiastic appreciation one associates with a band playing a hometown show. It simply didnt feel like a proper Glasgow "gig." Which was a shame. This was particularly disappointing given their past form; the last time I saw Teenage Fanclub, it was when they celebrated their albums at the Barrowlands, they were excellent. This night, however, was a missed opportunity to capture the magic of the Bandstand and really connect with their devoted fanbase.




The setlist for the evening was:

Foreign Land

About You

Tired of Being Alone

Metal Baby

I Dont Want Control of You

Everything Is Falling Apart

120 Mins

Back in the Day

What You Do to Me

Falling into the Sun

Neil Jung

The Worldll Be OK

Im in Love

Come With Me

My Uptight Life

Alcoholiday

The Concept

Encore:

Middle of My Mind

Planets

Everything Flows

Review by Craig McGee, photography by Stewart Fullerton.

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