Their songs have become part of the soundtrack to so many lives that you don’t just listen to them – you remember them.

And, as I made my way to Guildhall Square on Saturday night – via a stop at the ‘green box’ in Millbrook, where I hoped to catch Bucket List Boy Shane as he finished 100 childhood-inspired year-long challenges – there was already a sense of reflection running through my veins.

The Lightning Seeds perform at Southampton Summer Sessions (Image: Kate Hunter Photography)

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If you haven’t followed Shane’s journey, look him up. You will both laugh and cry as he tries to navigate his journey with grief following the loss of his mother, Mo Harnett, to stage four breast cancer.

Sadly, I had to leave before he finished his final task – a bike ride from London to Southampton on one of the hottest days of the year, albeit slightly cooler than earlier in the week.

The warm-up for Deacon Blue came from The Lightning Seeds, whose catalogue of hits proved the ideal crowd-pleaser for the evening ahead, with the band delivering classics including Life of Riley, Lucky You, and, of course, Three Lions – which unsurprisingly sparked one of the biggest sing-alongs of the evening, with England fans eagerly awaiting the 10pm kick-off against Panama.

Southampton Summer Sessions (Image: Kate Hunter Photography)

I’ve done a few Summer Sessions this month, but this was one of the friendliest crowds I’ve met in Guildhall Square, as they helped me find my friends through a series of photos of their positions – not as easy as it may seem!

The setlist was packed with fan favourites, including Chocolate Girl, Wages Day, and Real Gone Kid, but it was Dignity that arguably drew the biggest reaction of their performance.

The Lightning Seeds perform at Southampton Summer Sessions (Image: Kate Hunter Photography)

That’s the thing about Deacon Blue. Their songs have stood the test of time because they are packed with memorable melodies and lyrics that people genuinely connect with.

By the time the final notes rang out across Guildhall Square, Deacon Blue had delivered exactly what their fans came for – a celebration of timeless songs, nostalgia and togetherness.

And as I’ll Never Fall in Love Again brought the night to a close, one thing was clear… some bands don’t just take you back – a bit like people – they never really leave you!