Saturday 20/12/03 Hokum Clones, The Zutons, The Coral @ The Royal Court, Liverpool

A strictly Scouse affair at the Royal Court tonight as Liverpool based label Deltasonic play host to a Christmas home coming gig for chart toppers the Coral. Opening the evening’s events are skiffle merchants the Hokum Clones whose stoner George Formby act is entertaining if only for the fact they’re the only ones doing it. That in itself deserves a little respect even if it’s not your bag.

Somebody please tell me why the Zutons are not hugely huge; surely the hottest act in Liverpool at the moment. Dave McCabe’s merry men (and woman) are thoroughly entertaining with their mix of blues, jazz, country and quirky humour. Abby Harding: sax player extraordinaire, also makes for entertaining watching as she stomps her way through the set like a woman possessed in just her stockinged feet.

But the night was always going to be the Coral’s as the flagship band of Deltasonic’s mighty fleet. Skelly and the crew are on fire, clearly buzzing about the importance of making it big in your home town. All the expected numbers are there but stand out track still has to be ‘Skeleton Key’ an absolutely rockin’ psychedelic classic, that comes into its own when performed live. The set closes with a massive wig out and the Coral prove that even on a huge stage that they are more than enough to fill it. Truly an inspiration for any of their local compatriots who dream of making it big.

Photos by Paul Stevenson