The Zutons – Lincoln Drill Hall – Wednesday 26th June 2024

You know, I get a funny feeling when I go to a Zutons gig… The music’s running through my bones… I’m looking young and good again… got the Zuton Fever in my head. If you’ve got some tickets I’ll be there, where they come from I don’t care!

…I was proper made up to get a photo with Abi before the gig. She’d made the unwise decision of walking through the foyer. Thankfully she wasn’t mobbed as she needed to get ready for the gig. It was a great photo and as we are around the same age, I’m going to tell people that she’s me new bird, like...

The Zutons burst into the music scene in 2001 and found fame quickly. Three studio albums and several sell out tours followed, but in 2009 they suddenly, and very quietly disbanded. It took a decade, but in 2019 they returned triumphantly to play a series of small gigs, playing their debut album plus a few big hits to faithful fans.

Five years later, the rebirth of the Zutons continues apace, with a new album The Big Decider (that we called “a triumphant comeback“) that feels like a prophetic title. They’ve played a string of small venues again seemingly still testing the water… The ultimate test – a slot at Glastonbury this weekend awaits. 

The Zutons have always had a very distinct sound – a mix of indie rock guitars and a saxophone. It might not work on paper but at a live performance it’s pretty special. McCabe’s distinctive Scouse vocals and Harding’s pulsing sax, plus her own vocals on several songs, work well together and Sean Payne adds booming percussion on the drums.

As is customary they open the show with the high-paced Zuton Fever before moving into a number of new tracks from The Big Decider. But McCabe let’s the crowd know early on that they’ll be playing two sets tonight, with new tracks mostly in the first half, and classic tracks later. 

The Drill in Lincoln is a small venue, it doesn’t have a great deal of character, but it’s becoming an increasingly popular stop off point in the East Midlands for some really well known bands and acts. The crowd are enjoying themselves tonight and reacting well to the band. McCabe riffs with the crowd between songs and takes the opportunity to trial some material for Glastonbury with a successful call and response section to Creeping On The Dancefloor. 

Valerie – the band’s most commercially successful hit – really hits home and You Will You Won’t is another crowd pleaser. Don’t Ever Think (Too Much) opens the second half, as Hello Conscience and Havana Gang Brawl follow. Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love? is another big hit and they end with an extended reprise of Zuton Fever.   

The Zutons have been playing loads of sound venues. You get a proper good view and belter sound. So go’ed, don’t be a soft lad, check out The Zutons now. You’ll have a boss time, la. They’re the best band out of Liverpool since The Beatles.

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