Zutons a big hit in the forest

The Zutons,

Thetford Forest

FRESH from enjoying a well-deserved support slot to Sir Paul McCartney at the "ain't Liverpool great" concert, The Zutons opened Thetford Forest's summer of music in fantastic style.

The foot-stomping guitar band with a mighty twist played to an ecstatic crowd.

The commanding and impressive vocals of frontman Dave McCabe and the inspired addition of Abi Harding's saxophone ensured the band gave an electrifying performance - matched in showmanship by the impressive, giant, glittering, lightning-strike 'Z' logo they used as a backdrop.

With influences as diverse as glam rock, blues, soul, stadium rock and even perhaps a touch of jazz - but all with a twist, The Zutons have secured their own unique niche in the music world.

Storming through their set to fantastic crowd response, the Scousers mixed their big sing-along crowd pleasing hits with tracks from their newly released album You Can Do Anything. And it's surely only a matter of time before these new songs are given a similar anthemic status.

Latest single Always Right Behind You, which sounds like it could have come straight from the T-Rex school of hit record writing, got the crowd singing and dancing simultaneously, while the biggest cheer of the night was for the anthem Valerie. It was a hands-in-the-air, spotlight on the crowd, sing-along performance, and in such an ethereal setting, created a spine-tingling magical moment. The band must surely be able to retire on that song alone.

Saving my personal favourite, You Will You Won't, until the very end, they bowed out to cheers ringing round the forest, in thanks for such a memorable night. They were, quite possibly, the best band I've seen since Kasabian - and that's saying something.

And the best thing of all? It didn't rain!

Sarah Wade