The Zutons @ Barrowlands, Glasgow, 28 Mar

The Liverpudlian band play a set that takes in the entirety of Who Killed...... The Zutons? and a handful of hits from Tired of Hanging Around including Valerie

Live Review by Max Sefton | 04 Apr 2019

First time around The Zutons seemed to fade away rather than burn out. The Liverpudlians’ third album You Can Do Anything underperformed compared to its predecessors and despite Amy Winehouse’s blockbuster cover of Valerie, in 2009 they drifted apart, with members going on to play with Noel Gallagher and The Lightning Seeds. 

The intervening decade has been kind to them however, and in 2019 they’re back to tackle a sold out Barrowland Ballroom, playing a set that takes in the entirety of their excellent debut Who Killed...... The Zutons? and a handful from its excitable follow-up Tired of Hanging Around.

Tonight’s support comes from The Fernweh, whose skronky 60s pop holds some of the same influences as our headliners. Their loose-limbed jams draw on the seminal British psych-folk of The Zombies as well as the rumbling and rolling drums and bass of The Who; managing to make a strong impression despite their brief slot.

Despite performing as a six-piece, the twin poles of attention at any Zutons show are lead vocalist Dave McCabe (sweary, bear-like, big-haired) and saxophonist and backing vocalist Abi Harding (sparkly miniskirt, bigger hair). While it’s McCabe who carries the bulk of the songwriting weight and the audience interaction, it’s Harding who is the most dynamic on stage, twirling with her sax and blowing out simple catchy lines for the audience to chant along to.

Fifteen years on Who Killed...... The Zutons? stands out as one of the most consistent records of its era, less for its lyrical acuity as for its flights of fancy and catchy melodies, with the gentle skiffle pop of Remember Me and the electric fever dream of Nightmare Pt II providing tonight’s highlights.

Finally, Valerie provides their Hey Jude moment, with an audience singalong that lifts the roof before You Will You Won’t brings the show to a close. How long they maintain this level of popularity without new material is anyone’s guess but for now, let’s raise a glass to The Zutons, it’s good to have them back.

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