Kevin Bronson on February 27th, 2019

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Scotland’s Teenage Fanclub didn’t invent sublimely layered, harmony-rich guitar-pop, but over almost three decades and 10 albums they carried its torch, one ignited by ’60s luminaries such as the Byrds.

Their show Tuesday night — the first of two at the Teragram Ballroom — was an affecting if bittersweet affair. The band is carrying on without founding member Gerard Love, who departed last year over a disdain for touring (flying, in particular). With Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley, Love was one of the creative troika — the Teenies have long been known for their songwriting democracy, with the three sharing duties almost equally.

Dave McGowan, the band’s keyboardist since 2004, has moved into bassist Love’s spot in the front row, with young keyboardist-vocalist Euros Childs joining Blake, McGinley and original drummer Francis McDonald.

They arrived at the Teragram in good spirits but a bit worse for the wear — as Blake pointed out, they’d made the haul from San Francisco to L.A. in the wee hours only to be awakened by a phone call from the hotel front desk at 5 a.m. Blake did add that they were boosted by breakfast at Denny’s (“The over-55 menu,” he said impishly. “Not me, of course, I still have a couple years to go. But some members of our party.”)

Sound woes fouled the proceedings a couple of times, although that did little to diminish the energy, and the 19-song setlist spanned their career. Of course, when that career is 29 years and 10 albums long, the setlist still left some wanting. It was with endearing sheepishness that Blake admitted “We’re not playing that one tonight” when someone called out “Star Sign.” On the other hand, the crowd was dotted with some new to Teenage Fanclub, several of whom were heard marveling at the songcraft and the pure joy the veteran band went about their business.

The quintet found its stride mid-set with three songs from 1997’s “Songs from Northern Britain” — the last in a remarkable four-album run that started with ’91’s “Bandwagonesque” and continued with “Thirteen” (’93) and “Grand Prix” (’95). The gang-sung sincerity of “I Don’t Want Control of You” led into two songs, “Hold On” and “I’m in Love,” from the Teenies’ 2016 album “Here,” a sunny record that, at the time of its release, ended at six-year hiatus.

It’s doubtful fans will have to wait that long again. Notable on Tuesday was the presence of the new single “Everything Is Falling Apart,” recorded last month in Germany with the new touring lineup. It’s a good fit with the band’s deep catalog.

At the end, Teenage Fanclub ricocheted from 1990’s “Heavy Metal II” — one of three songs, including the title track, that they played from their debut “A Catholic Education” — to 2008’s “The Fall” and then to “The Concept” from “Bandwagonesque.” That 1991 album was the band’s introduction to most stateside fans.

Alas, there would be no “Ain’t That Enough” or “Sparky’s Dream,” but nostalgia was served. With a side order of nowness.

The night opened with a sparkling set from Teenage Fanclub’s Merge Records labelmates the Love Language, who performed songs from their 2018 album “Baby Grand,” the new single “Bees” and more. The bands play again tonight at the Teragram; it’s sold out.

Teenage Fanclub setlist: About You, Start Again, The Cabbage, Everything Is Falling Apart, Alcoholiday, Only With You, Catholic Education, Thaw Me, Your Love Is the Place, Plants, Verisimilitude, I Don’t Want Control of You, Gold On, I’m in Love, My Uptight Life, Everything Flows. Encore: Heavy Metal II, The Fall, The Concept.