The Zutons and Little Flames at Asylum - Monday 18th October By Andy Dykes Photos by Darren Rogers

Photograph Gallery   Little Flames Gallery   The Zutons Gallery 1   Gallery 2   Gallery 3   Gallery 4   Gallery 5   Gallery 6   Gallery 7

The sky is black and clear tonight. This means that for the first time in a while, the stars are being given the chance to shine on Hull. This also means that it's pretty bitter outside. Inside Asylum tonight, it doesn't seem to be any warmer. Maybe that's why so many people are huddled together so closely? Or maybe it's because there isn't the space not to be huddled together.

It's been twenty minutes since the doors opened and already Asylum's almost full. Tonight, The Zutons are in town. It's ten to 8, and already people are trying to find a good spot for the evening.

All of which means that tonight's openers, Little Flames, play their set to a packed out crowd, willing to give their undivided attention. And it really is a show worth watching. Little Flames are the kind of experimental, jilted prog punk band that does a real service to the positive evolution that a great number of bands are presently going through. Their sound is edgy and manic, and made up of odd timings and swirling effects.

There's an off kilter funk to the whole affair, and angular riffs burst from smooth grooves and back again, all with inconceivably tight musicianship.

But Little Flames aren't just about music. Their live performance is good fun to watch as well, due largely to their enigmatic front woman. While the rest of the band do rock out totally, the majority of their efforts are spent on playing their instruments. And so they should be, I guess. This means, however, a lot of "heads down and concentrate lads". It's lucky for them then that their leader provides the crowd with such a focal point. She dances around like a druid at Summer Solstice (perhaps), often shaking a tambourine, rarely cracking a smile.

By the time Little Flames' set draws to a close, they have the crowd moving and shaking as if they themselves were the headliners. And as they slope off stage, they should be content that they've won themselves a few fans tonight. Everyone knows what's coming next, and all of a sudden Asylum gets so packed I can't move my arms. I don't think anyone can. The Zutons are going to have to be something special if they're going to get a clap out of this crowd.

The Zutons leap, bound, swagger, limp and breeze on stage to a creepy, quirky little intro tune. And within seconds, they're rockin' the joint. The sound of The Zutons is, strictly speaking, eclectic. There are jazz, soul, folk and blues in there, mixed with quirky guitar pop. There's a hint of fellow Liverpudlians and lablemates The Coral in there too.

But that's probably a by-product of both bands emerging from the same scene. The Zutons seem to sound like a lot of bands. The brooding, bizarre harmonies at the root of 'Pressure Point' sound like something Brian Wilson would only dream up.

On the odd occasion that they stray into sounding epic, they sound a little like Pink Floyd. And the genius of the five way harmonies at the climax of 'Railroad' sounds perhaps a little like The Mamas and the Papas. I'm kidding. The Zutons' influences are, really, anybody's guess. In truth, this is a band who's really cornered a feel and sound to their music that is quite unique. But anyone who's heard the record will know what they sound like.

The Zutons live show feels like quite an intimate affair, despite the size of the venue and the density of the crowd. Part of this due to the fact that each member of the band seem to have a very distinct stage persona, not least lead singer David McCabe. He talks to the crowd like he's a close personal friend: the friend who can tell funny stories and hold an audience. He just chats, and connects with his audience. See, The Zutons live show is about more than just the music, which is pleasantly refreshing. All members of the band have a role that extends beyond the instrument that they play. It's not something that can really be put into words, it has to be seen. An x-factor if you will.

At the end of a largely instrumental encore, The Zutons line up together, arms round each other, and take a bow in front of the baying crowd. It's a really nice touch and underlines a certain family value to the band. It's been an awesome show. And somehow, everyone's found the capacity to shower them with rapturous applause. It's a miracle. The Zutons have been so good, they've freed everyone's arms.

Photograph Gallery   Little Flames Gallery   The Zutons Gallery 1   Gallery 2   Gallery 3   Gallery 4   Gallery 5   Gallery 6   Gallery 7

Photographs courtsey and Copyright © Darren Rogers 2004

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