The Beat Surrender

Not quite sure why so many people have such a low opinion of Zero 7 or why they always get slated as being a dull band with music to go to sleep to rather than listen to? I can’t understand it because if you dig a bit deeper into the three albums you’ll find tracks of absolute beauty, you’ll find uplifting messages and tracks that you want to sing a long to.

It might take a while for them to get under your skin, but quite often the things that take longer for you to appreciate end up being the things you treasure longer. Such is the case with the first Zero 7 album Simple Things, I liked Destiny and bought the album based on that (as did most people lets be honest)…first few listens it didn’t really spark for me, but gradually further spins left me purring at the chilled out grooves and more than anything, some glorious vocals.

Zero 7 have always sought out fine collaborators from Terry Callier, Sia and Tina Deco in the early part of their career through to the star guest at tonights show who has featured on four tracks on the latest album The Garden. Jose Gonzalez with his gently plucked guitar playing and amazing live vocal (far richer and retains your attention far better on stage than on record) is the big draw tonight and he doesn’t disappoint, Crosses is fantastic and Futures is mesmerising.

For me though he isn’t the star of the show and neither are the duo who form Zero 7, the star of the show is without a doubt Sia. She lights up the front of the stage, has a voice of a cigarette smoking angel and can’t help but be good natured, fun and flirty with the crowd. Even when she isn’t singing she’s commanding your attention by mixing cocktails from the little bar placed at the back of the stage and distributing them amongst the players on stage.

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