Were you there this weekend as Zoots ripped up Newbury with the sounds of the 60s?

The Zoots, Sounds of the Sixties Show
at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore
on Friday, November 8

Review by BRIAN HARRINGTON

Arlington Arts was jam-packed for The Zoots tonight, a phrase that also describes the hits crammed-in to the set list.

In just over two hours The Zoots tore through over 40 iconic 60s songs. The audience loved every second and were enthusiastically singing along from the get-go, while The Zoots love of performing live was equally clear.

Before they set foot on stage there was a video 60s quiz along with some great film clips, which amped-up the nostalgia and continued throughout the show, which combined with The Shadows style moves from the band, along with their stage clothes and retro equipment contributed to what might best be described as a fully immersive 60s experience.

As always with The Zoots the emphasis was on fun and delivering a great time and a fantastic experience for the audience. They delivered, in spades.

A Zoots show is not about slavishly re-creating the hits of the period but about tapping-in to the spirit of innovation and the excitement of the time. The Zoots are masters of that art and go all out to give audiences a great night.

Opening with a rip-roaring rendition of the Surfaris’ track Wipeout, they segued in to a medley of Pretty Woman, Satisfaction and Glad All Over and covered a huge range of 60s music - everything from Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark to Jeff Beck, The Troggs and, of course The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

By the time they got to the hotly demanded encore the audience were dancing by their seats and in the aisles as The Zoots wound up with Hey Jude, Twist And Shout a Do You Wanna Dance medley and finally Surfin’ USA

Whether you remember the 1960s with affection or you want to understand what all the fuss was about and why the music still holds iconic status a Zoots show is the must see definitive answer.

I defy you to see The Zoots live and not have a great time.