We’re Creepin’ on the Dancefloor with The Zutons tonight! A night packed with Scouse soul, sax solos, and a storming set of old and new, please welcome to the stage…
THE ZUTONS
Our Monday night crowd doesn’t mess about – and neither do The Covasettes. Fresh out of Manchester, this indie-rock four-piece hit the stage with wide grins and bigger riffs. They might still be working up to that debut album, but based on tonight’s set, they’ve got the chops—and the tunes—to go far. First time at Rock City? Hopefully not the last.
The lights drop, the cheers swell, and The Zutons roll on with Zuton Fever!, the euphoric blast from the past that instantly has the crowd moving. No slow build here, just straight into it: classic cuts Tired of Hanging Around and Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love? follow in quick succession, before we get Pauline, a standout from new album The Big Decider.
The current lineup sees frontman Dave McCabe joined by long-time saxophone powerhouse Abi Harding, guitar wizard Jay Lewis, bassist Tim Cunningham, keyboardist Neil Bradley and drummer Paul Maguire. Recently departed founding member Sean Payne is a noticeable absence, but the band don’t miss a beat. McCabe keeps things light: “This is a good turnout for a Monday night. Go ‘head Nottingham – sing along, don’t be scared!”
The crowd take that as a challenge. Voices rise, feet stomp, and the mood is properly buzzing. Midway through the set, things take a surprising and emotional turn. Abi Harding steps up for a cover of Back to Black, in tribute to the late Amy Winehouse (whose iconic take on Valerie sometimes overshadows the fact it’s a Zutons original). It’s a bold move, but Harding absolutely owns it. Her vocals are raw and soulful, the tempo’s kicked up just enough, and that sax solo? Goosebumps.
“We’ve been The Zutons, and you’ve been boss! Let’s go again, shall we?!”
Harding’s sax work continues to shine across the night, especially on Disappear, where her chemistry with Lewis on lead guitar makes the stage feel alive with sound. She’s the band’s not-so-secret weapon, and tonight she’s on blistering form!
The set moves effortlessly between eras. Older fan favourites like Havana Gang Brawl and Dirty Dancehall get the floor shaking, while new material from The Big Decider lands with real impact. In Your Arms and Popcorn in stripped-back acoustic form all slot seamlessly into the set. The title track is a proper standout—driven, anthemic, and boasting a beautifully understated vocal moment from Harding.
Creepin’ on the Dancefloor already feels like a future classic. A simple, swooning pop-rock tune with that unmistakable Zutons twist.
The main set closes with Pressure Point and Remember Me, two absolute belters that still sound as urgent and infectious as they did back in the mid-2000s. The crowd’s in full voice, and the energy’s not dipping anytime soon. Of course, they’re not done yet. The encore kicks off with Valerie, the song that’s travelled further than any of their others. Hearing it back in the hands of the original writers is a reminder of its roots. Soulful, nostalgic, and it hits hard live.
Just like that, the Monday blues are gone, replaced by ringing ears, wide grins, and the kind of night only live music can bring. Back to where it all began, Zuton Fever! (Reprise) spotlights the band with quick-fire intros and a thunderous final jam. The Zutons came, saw, and completely smashed it. What a corker of a show!
THE ZUTONS PERFORMED MONDAY 7TH APRIL
WORDS: TALIA ROBINSON
ROCK CITY NOTTINGHAM
We’re not only Nottingham’s favourite venue and nightclub – we’re the UK’s best live venue with a rich history of performers that have played here. The Zutons rocked beyond this world!
Also while you’re at it, why not check out our gig guide and see if any other of your favourite artists like The Zutons are playing soon! We also have our club nights on a Thursday (Tuned), Friday (Get Lucky) and Saturday (Rebel Rebel) so check those out too!
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