The Zutons arrive at this venerable venue fresh from their recent Forestry Commission tour of (you guessed it) forests, Glastonbury and a stonking 18 month ride around the USA.
Making a concerted attempt to brighten up a sun-starved July evening, they launch into Zuton Fever and Why Won't You Give Me Your Love.
Hair blows in the wind while Confusion brings with it a serene calm and the familiar lovely sax punctuation.
The gathered public starts to find its feet with Keep The Feeling In and Remember Me. But there is little reaction when we are asked how we liked tipped support act Noah And The Whale.
From the new album Put A Little Aside brings the mood down a little. It's a weightier than usual sound, but we're not left too down as Abi dances her sax into It's The Little Things We Do.
The old and new material interlocks beautifully as we have Harder And Harder also from the new album, You Can Do Anything. Rus on bass takes on the breathy Harder harmony breaks with a funky nod of the head, looking a tad reminiscent of Joey Ramone, with his curly tour-worn locks. The chemistry is that of a band who love being on stage. After such a long tour and still to put so much energy into each song, the road and stage really seems to work as a way of life for The Zutons.
Pressure Point and Valerie are rapturously received. It is refreshing, with no offence to Miss Winehouse or Mr Ronson, to hear Valerie by the band that wrote it for a change, played out with a huge rocky finish.
For an encore it's hard to think what's missing from the familiar track list for a now expectant whopper of a clinching tune. Then You Will You Won't fills the courtyard for the perfect end to an exuberantly pleasurable evening.
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