Fever Dreams & Sax Solos The Zutons Light Up the Empire
- Alan Bryce
- Apr 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 16
Shepards Bush Empire April 10th 2025
WORDS AND IMAGES ALAN BRYCE
Formed in Liverpool in 2002, The Zutons burst onto the music scene in 2004 with their debut album, ‘Who Killed…… The Zutons?’. The album spawned a handful of singles including ‘Pressure Point,’ ‘Remember Me,’ and ‘Don’t ever think (too much),’ all of which charted comfortably in the UK singles chart.
Their second album, ‘Tired of Hanging Around,’ released in 2006, offered the singles ‘Why won’t you give me your love?’—the band’s first Top 10 single—followed by ‘Valerie,’ a song later covered by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse, which took on a life of its own.
In 2007, Chowdhury stepped away from the band and was replaced by Paul Molloy, who recorded the band's third album with them. The album, ‘You Can Do Anything,’ was received favourably and featured the single ‘Always Right Behind You.’
In 2009, The Zutons quietly disbanded without a specific announcement and went their separate ways.
In 2016, members of the band reformed for a tribute concert and a fundraiser, but there was no intention to reform full-time. However, in late 2018, the band announced a reunion tour to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut album. The reunion did not include founding member Russel Pritchard, who announced he would not be taking part, and Jay Lewis was announced as his replacement.
In 2022, Chowdhury again stepped away from the band, and Tim Cunningham was brought in to take over bass duties, allowing Lewis to move to guitar. In 2024, the band released its fourth album, ‘The Big Decider,’ which was well received and garnered positive reviews. The album was mostly written by core founding members McCabe, Harding, and Payne, and produced by Payne and the legendary Nile Rodgers.
The band toured throughout 2024 in support of the album before taking a few months off at the beginning of this year. A short eight-gig tour of the UK, starting in Leeds and ending with a final hometown show in Liverpool, commenced on 3rd April. Surprisingly, Payne chose to leave the band in late March, shortly before the tour commenced, but was very ably replaced by Paul Maguire, formerly of ‘The Stairs.’
I had the pleasure of seeing the band perform at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London.
The support act on this mini-tour was the very exciting and energetic band The Covasettes, who complemented The Zutons’ music perfectly and were a great choice as an opener. Hailing from Manchester, The Covasettes have built a reputation for their infectious indie-pop sound and dynamic live performances. Their set was a burst of energy, featuring catchy hooks and tight musicianship that had the crowd engaged from the first note. They have a knack for crafting sing-along choruses, while their stage presence exuded confidence and charisma. Chris Buxton was leading the charge with spirited vocals and engaging banter. Their performance not only set the tone for the evening but also left a lasting impression, marking them as a band to watch in the indie scene. If you get the chance to see The Covasettes live, seize it—
The Zutons entered the stage of a packed Shepherds Bush Empire and opened the set with ‘Zuton Fever,’ the opening track from their debut album, which the audience clearly enjoyed singing along to excitedly. The energy in the room was electric from the first chord, with the crowd’s enthusiasm reflecting the band’s longstanding connection with their fans. This was followed by a double hit from the ‘Tired of Hanging Around’ album, with the title track and ‘Why won’t you give me your love.’ Both songs received a rapturous response, and it was evident how much the band’s early 2000s sound still resonates with audiences today. The blend of tight instrumentation, Dave McCabe’s distinctive vocals, and the band's infectious energy set the tone for the night.
A couple more up-tempo songs followed before the band played their cover of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black.’ Abi’s vocals fit the song perfectly, and while the band put their own unique spin on it, they remained true to the original, making this version of the song a fitting tribute. The track was a standout moment of the evening, slowing the tempo just enough to allow the audience to reflect, while still feeling immersed in the band’s sonic world. It showcased the group’s versatility and ability to reinterpret a modern classic without losing its emotional weight.
The rest of the set was an energetic performance of songs from their first two albums and their latest release, ‘The Big Decider.’ Noticeably, no tracks from the ‘You Can Do Anything’ album made it to the setlist. This seemed to go unnoticed by the crowd, who remained fully engaged and responsive throughout the performance. The newer material blended seamlessly with the older hits, proving that The Zutons are still evolving and capable of producing fresh, compelling music that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with their early work.
After a brief break, the band returned with a trio of hits and fan favourites as an encore: ‘Pressure Point,’ ‘Valerie,’ and ‘You Will You Won’t.’ The response to ‘Valerie’ was huge, and the band’s performance of this song was incredibly well-received by the packed house at The Empire. There was a palpable sense of celebration in the venue as the crowd sang along word-for-word, reaffirming the song’s place in British pop culture. The set closed with a reprise of ‘Zuton Fever,’ a perfect bookend to a fantastic set of songs and hits. Ending as they began, the band left the audience on a high note, closing the night with the same raw energy that started it.
I’m glad The Zutons are still a band and performing. Although only two founding members, McCabe and Harding, remain, the musicians they’ve chosen in recent years fit perfectly and help bring The Zutons’ catalogue to fans across the country. Their chemistry on stage felt natural and tight, a testament to the thought and care put into preserving the band's spirit. The band has a loyal fanbase and a market for their music. I hope they continue to perform and create their unique brand of music long into the future. They’ve been a name and voice in UK music for nearly a quarter of a century; long may this continue.
A great band, a great performance. I look forward to sharing an evening with them again soon!
SET LIST
1/ Zuton Fever
2/ Tired of Hanging Around
3/ Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?
4/ Pauline
5/ Havana Gang Brawl
6/ Back to Black
(Amy Winehouse cover)
7/ In Your Arms
8/ Disappear
9/ Dirty Dancehall
10/ Best of Me
11/ Popcorn
12/ Remember Me
13/ The Big Decider
14/ Creeping on the Dancefloor
Encore:
15/ Pressure Point
16/ Valerie
17/ You Will You Won't
18/ Zuton Fever Reprise
FOLLOW THE ZUTONS
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