You could feel the electricity sparking off the band and working it’s way through the crowd!!
Arriving a bit late, I missed the opening act, but was in plenty of time to catch Zuzu, someone I first saw at NBHD Weekender and thought at the time that with a little luck she could be destined for big things. Liverpool’s new lady on the block, Zuzu, looked striking in black flowered dress, sparkly leggings and blinged up DM’s. But it’s all about the music, and Zuzu plays a blend of Liverpool guitar pop, mixed with the pop sensibilities of Taylor Swift delivered with a soft scouse twang. There is an honesty and girl-next-door feel to Zuzu as she regales us with songs of love lost and love gained, with witty lyrics, clever and cutting in a way that shows her roots as a true Liverpudlian girl. By the end of her set my opinion hadn’t changed, this lady has a very bright future.
Then it was time for the band the night was all about, the homecoming of local lads, Red Rum Club and by now the Mountford Hall was full, the lights went dark, pyrotechnics went off and the band walked on to the stage beaming from ear to ear.
Red Rum Club are made up of vocalist Fran Doran, Tom Williams on lead guitar, Michael McDermott on rhythm guitar, Simon Hepworth on bass, Neil Lawson on drums and Joe Corby, their famed trumpet player. They launched into “Night Calling” and excuse the pun the stage was set for a great night.
You could feel the electricity sparking off the band and working it’s way through the crowd. When Fran Doran said “We’ve all waited too long for this night. Let’s make it worthwhile”, he meant it. Bathed in red and blue light, they filled the venue with their take on Liverpool indie with Cuban flare; think cocktail maker, mojitos, palm trees filled with Liver Birds, and you are right there with me. The rhythm was infectious, no one was standing still, hips were swaying, arms were waving and the whole place was rocking.
My favourite tracks of the night were “TV Said So” “Honey” and “Kids Addicted”
In between the last song of the set and the encore the crowd sang “Would You Rather Be Lonely?” acappella, that was a moment I don’t think Red Rum Club will ever forget… it was a hair standing up on the back of your neck moment and it must have been amazing for the band to feel the love of a crowd, so happy to be back.
All in all, it was a great evening, 100% worth the wait. Red Rum Club are one of my favourite bands live and I always leaving their gigs sweaty, tired and smiling.
SET LIST
1/ NIGHTCALLING
2/ VIVO
3/ CALEXICO
4/ TV SAID SO
5/ BALLERINO
6/ DORADO
7/ HONEY
8/ BRANDO
9/ THE ELEVATION
10/ VIBRATE
11/ ANGELINE
12/ LOVE ME LIKE YOU WANNA BE LOVED
13/ ELEANOR
ENCORE
14/ KIDS ADDICTED
15/ WOULD YOU RATHER BE LONELY
FOLLOW RED RUM CLUB
FOLLOW ZUZU
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
