Sefton Park, Liverpool
Liverpudlian Zuzu captures the celebratory mood, the Lathums bring the holler-along indie rock, and Blossoms provide the perfect mix of melancholy and euphoria
“One small step for scousers,” begins Liverpudlian singer-songwriter Zuzu, wonderfully, to be met by a wall of cheering. The bespectacled, PVC-trousered Liverpudlian probably didn’t expect to walk out to such a rapturous reception after only a few singles, but this is no ordinary show. It’s been billed as the first “near-normal” mass gig to take place since the start of the pandemic. With 5,000 people in a tent, no compulsory masks and social distancing, and a mini-festival feel, the triple biller is an opportunity for the Covid-19-tested audience to – as promoter Melvin Benn puts it – “go for it as if coronavirus never happened”.
After a year of Covid-19, everyone does just that. It initially feels surreal to be in such a huge crowd of people drinking and jostling, but if this pilot gig proceeds safely it will mark a significant milestone towards bringing live music back. After a year without it, the audience are certainly in party mood, with enormous massed sing-songs to old disco and Britpop hits breaking out before the bands have even come on. A tuneless covers band playing Status Quo songs backwards would probably go down well here here, but Zuzu – a sort of Merseyside Courtney Barnett – doesn’t dampen spirits with her slacker pop, guitar twangs and witty lyrics. What You Want’s chorus of “This is what we’re supposed to be/Loveless and carefree” captures the celebratory mood.
