The Zutons hit the stage at Glasgow’s iconic Barrowlands with an electrifying performance that left the packed crowd buzzing from start to finish. Touring in support of their 2024 album The Big Decider, it was clear from the first note that the already-enthusiastic audience were long-time supporters of the Liverpudlian six-piece—and they were here for a party.

They launched straight into the familiar guitar strains of Zuton Fever, and soon Abi Harding’s saxophone took centre stage. Over twenty years old, the track still sounded fresh, with the band’s high-octane energy—along with a lot of flying hair—setting the tone for the night.

The pace continued with Tired of Hanging Around, before the band conducted the crowd through a raucous rendition of Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love?. The saxophone took the spotlight again on new track Pauline, this time layered with funk-driven bass, tambourine sparkle and Hammond organ swells.

Havana Gang Brawl, from their 2004 debut Who Killed The Zutons, was dedicated to Lesley, a fan attending her 50th Zutons gig. Her applause underlined the strong bond between the band and their Glaswegian fans.

Next came a heartfelt tribute to the late Amy Winehouse, whose cover of Valerie brought the band’s music to a wider audience. Their choice of cover, Back to Black, gave Abi a chance to shine with stunning vocals and soulful saxophone solos.

New song In Your Arms brought a more mellow vibe, while Water upped the tempo again, complete with tambourine, maracas and bongos—perfect for the Friday night party atmosphere. Dirty Dancehall captured the unique spirit of the Barrowlands crowd, building into a wild crescendo of dancing and layered instrumentation.

Ballads Best of Me and Popcorn gave both the crowd and band a chance to breathe, while frontman Dave McCabe showcased his vocal range and control.

The title track The Big Decider had the audience clapping and stomping along enthusiastically, proof the new material is connecting well. During Creeping on the Dancefloor, McCabe encouraged the crowd to clap, shake their hair, and hug each other—an invitation Glasgow didn’t need twice. A birthday cake appeared for keyboardist Neil Bradley, and the entire venue broke into a chorus of Happy Birthday, further boosting the party atmosphere.

For the encore, Pressure Point kicked things off, with the crowd practically drowning out the band with chants of “pressure, pressure, pressure”—it felt more like a football stadium than a ballroom. Then came Valerie—a proper singalong moment. While Winehouse made it famous, tonight it was The Zuton’s original, delivered note-perfect, that resonated most.

They closed the night with 2006’s stomper You Will You Won’t, before a triumphant reprise of Zuton Fever. As the band left the stage, they thanked “the best crowd in the world.” On tonight’s evidence, it’s hard to argue with that.

Images: John Young

Words: Marie Hendry