Live at The Tuning Fork
15 February 2025
Live Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
A Night of Indie Bliss and Sonic Rebellion.
Not to be confused with the South Korean boy band Fan Club, the US indie outfit Fanclub, or Scotland's legendary Teenage Fanclub, Auckland's own Fan Club are carving out their own space in the indie-rock scene. Winners of the Auckland Central Smoke-Free Rock Quest, this emerging four-piece is quickly becoming one of the city's must-see live acts. With edgy guitars, a tight rhythm section, and soulful, sometimes belt-y vocals, they deliver an electrifying live experience that keeps audiences coming back for more.
Fan Club NZ is:
Emma Wagner – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Caleb Young – Lead guitar
Thomas Christie – Drums
Tilly Wells – Bass
Live at The Tuning Fork: A Band on the Rise.
Auckland’s underground scene has long been a breeding ground for some of New Zealand’s most exciting indie acts, and last night at The Tuning Fork, Fan Club proved exactly why they’re a band on the rise. Blending dreamy punchy guitars, and anthemic hooks, they transformed the dimly lit venue into a neon-lit fever dream of raw energy.
From the moment they hit the stage, the crowd erupted—screaming, shouting, and jumping in pure excitement. Though they were the opening act, it was clear that a significant portion of the audience was there for them. Among the familiar faces in the crowd was Brody London (sound man to the stars), who had traveled from Whangaparaoa just to catch their set.
Emma Wagner, ever the charismatic front woman, took a moment to connect with the crowd early on:“Hi guys, we’re Fan Club! How we going? Thank you so much for coming out early!”
They launched into their set with infectious energy, and by their second song, "State," the audience was fully locked in. The track, which they had performed live on national breakfast TV just the day before, came with a candid remark from Wagner:“We just played really early in the morning on TV… and it was really early.”
A Sound That Sticks
Their set oscillated between indie pop euphoria and shoegaze-laced introspection. Every song had the crowd bouncing in unison, lost in the pulsing rhythm section and shimmering guitar textures. When they launched into "Sedate," a wave of bodies surged toward the stage, voices belting out the lyrics as if the song were already an indie classic. It was one of those rare moments where you could feel a track embedding itself into the city’s musical fabric in real time.
But Fan Club aren’t just about sugar-rush hooks. They know how to balance light and shade, letting atmosphere and tension build before crashing into their signature tidal waves of sound. "Westbound" was a standout, its moody, reverb-drenched opening swelling into a cathartic wall of sound. If The Cure had a love child with Texas, it might sound something like this.
The crowd—a beautiful cross-section of Auckland’s young music lovers—was completely locked in, hanging on every note, every beat, every flick of Wagner’s wrist. The chemistry between band and audience was undeniable, a push-and-pull that felt organic, electric, and completely alive. It’s that rare energy that separates good bands from great ones, and Fan Club have it in spades.
This wasn’t just another gig—it was a moment, a snapshot of a band on the verge of something bigger. If last night was any indication, Fan Club won’t be confined to small venues for much longer.
Auckland, hold onto this band while you can—because soon enough, the world will want a piece too.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
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