Teenage Fanclub star Norman Blake returns to Bellshill for intimate hometown gig

Teenage Fanclub star Norman Blake is to return is to play an intimate gig in Bellshill — his first show in his North Lanarkshire hometown for over 20 years.

The acoustic show, organised by former Fannies drummer Paul Quinn, will see Norman play songs he wrote for the power pop outfit solo at The Alex James on January 31. The performance kicks off a series of gigs by Paul Quinn, now an artist manager through his firm Bellbeat, that he says will showcase the town’s rich musical heritage.

Norman said: “It’s been over 20 years since I’ve played a show in my hometown of Bellshill and it goes without saying that I am really looking forward to making my return. I’m hopeful that the establishment of this club night will herald a return to regular live music in the town.

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“My former Teenage Fanclub bandmate Paul Quinn has worked tirelessly to pull this all together. He’s been heavily involved in all things music related in the town for going on 40 years.”

Paul and Norman worked together for years after Paul joined the band in 1993. The Grammy-nominated drummer looks back at those days with great fondness as he now seeks to help rising stars navigate the treacherous waters of the music industry.

Paul said: “I had some great times in music but some tough times too – not with Teenage Fanclub which was a dream, being a huge fan before joining them. I’ve had some not so enjoyable experiences also with others who shall remain nameless.

“I’m trying to build something new and exciting but founded on the base I built touring the world. Bellshill has a really rich heritage musically and I want to bring that back – so starting the Bellbeat Presents Sessions with Norman just feels perfect.”

And Norman revealed he will play some of the Fannies’ hits at the show but with a solo spin. He said: “I’m looking forward to playing some of the songs that I have written for the band solo on acoustic guitar in a club context.

"I’ll be playing songs old and new with a couple of covers thrown in there for good measure. Please come and join me.”

Paul, manager of artists including Dillon Squire and Will, says his company, Bellbeat, is always on the lookout for new and exciting talent so if you think you have something, get in touch with him at paul@bellbeatmgmt.com.

Paul said: “It’s a really exciting time and it feels like this is what I have been working towards all those years.”

Tickets for the gig go on sale Wednesday, November 20, and can be found here.

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