LIVE: The Zombies @ Union Chapel, Islington 01.05.15

Fresh from a series of triumphant shows at the recent SXSW show in the US, and with a current recording of a new album set for a September release, 60’s rock and roll legends The Zombies took to the stage at the infamous Union Chapel. Playing a strictly acoustic set, both Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone shone as they played a selection of both crowd-pleasing classics and promising new tracks. The stunning Union Chapel venue only added to the magnificence of the evening, with a purple hazed backdrop and its grand acoustics.

Opening the two sectioned set was the rare B-side of Argents ‘Tragedy’ with Rod on piano, shortly joined by the warming vocals of partner Blunstone for title track of the last album ‘Breathe Out, Breathe In’. Early classic’s such as ‘Tell her No’ and ‘Time Of The Season’ followed, and were rightfully greeted by rapturous applause. Holding all of their charm and melodic captivity, the stripped back first half held a sense of terrific musical friendship.

Both Rod and Colin have been working together for over 50 years, with the first Zombies album released in 1964 and the latest in 2013, it’s a musical pairing that shows its strength effortlessly in a live setting. With an anecdote to every track, the pairs on stage relationship shines as they were musically, vocally and colloquially in sync. Stand out performances of the evening; Colins ‘Misty Rose’ and the romantically moving ‘Her Song’ and ‘Say You don’t Mind’ saw the pair being joined on stage by a string quartet and double bass. Hauntingly harmonising, the duo instilled a sense of tranquillity with their accompaniment, in the breath-taking venue.

Second half saw a solo Rod perform ‘Fiesta’ as he was joined again shortly after with Colin for an easy-listening cover of Jimmy Ruffin’s classic ‘What became of the ‘Broken Hearted’. Fan favourite ‘She’s not there’ brought the evening to its crescendo with a well-deserved standing ovation. Closing with a beautiful rendition of George Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’, the captivated audience yet again stood on their feet.

The evening successfully highlighted the talented home-grown British gem that the Zombies were, and still, evidently are.