Zoot Woman

Zoot Woman performed their only UK date at Dingwalls, Camden, as part of their promotional tour of latest album ‘Things Are What They Used to Be’.

Despite not being filled to capacity, it was clear that Zoot Woman have an extremely loyal fanbase. The audience cheered at the start of each new song, sang along and jumped up and down throughout, seemingly in contrast to the slightly angsty themes in the band’s lyrics.

There is nothing angsty about the band however, as lead singer Jonny Blake and bass player Jasmin O’Meara bounced around the stage encouraging the audience to clap along. Uber-producer Stuart Price was absent; nonetheless they performed an effortless set with Blake’s melodic vocals echoing around the room.

Since releasing Living In A Magazine in 2001 (Wall of Sound) the band have managed to gain a worldwide following, particularly in Germany where their brand of electro-pop is a firm favourite.  Germany is also where their current tour has been focused, alongside France, Netherlands and Belgium. A lack of UK dates meant that people had travelled from as far as Edinburgh to see them at Dingwalls tonight. 

Comprising brothers Adam and Jonny Blake, Price, and the live addition of O’Meara on bass and keyboards, Zoot Woman have been largely credited with pioneering the electroclash movement in the UK, by merging 80’s synth pop with indie sensibilities, at times crossing over into dance territory.

It’s hardly surprising judging by their credentials. Price has released numerous dance records under the monikers Les Rythmes Digitales and Jacques Lu Cont, and most famously co-produced and co-wrote Madonna’s Confessions on the Dancefloor after collaborating on her tours.  Price and Adam Blake have also remixed tracks for Felix Da Housecat and Scissor Sisters, under the name Paper Faces.

Throughout their performance singles from the new album We Won’t Break and Live In My Head were interspersed with old favourites including It’s Automatic and Hope In the Mirror. The best however, was saved till last when the band returned to rapturous applause for a performance of the catchy Just a Friend of Mine. Despite the band walking off the stage for the second time and the lights coming on, audience members refused to leave demanding a further encore, the one and a quarter hour set having passed by in a flash.

Things Are What They Used To Be is out now on ZWR.