Dave McCabe (The Zutons) and special guests Gather@ the Horse & Bamboo theatre, Waterfoot, Rossendale 26 June

Lineup

• More details about Dave McCabe (The Zutons)

  Dave McCabe (The Zutons)

  Headlining the evening is Dave McCabe, songwriter, frontman, and founding force behind The Zutons, now performing solo in a raw, acoustic setting that highlights his distinctive voice and songwriting. Raised in Liverpool and shaped by the city’s famously uncompromising music scene, McCabe has always written from instinct rather than fashion. His songs draw on soul, rock and roll and classic pop songwriting, delivered with a vocal style that is as fearless as it is emotionally direct. Long before wider recognition, he was honing his craft in local bands, building a reputation for lyrics that cut straight to the point and performances that felt lived-in and urgent. That approach came fully into focus with The Zutons. Emerging in the early 2000s, the band carved out a sound entirely their own: sharp, swaggering and soulful, standing apart from the guitar-led trends of the time. Albums such as Who Killed…… The Zutons? and Tired of Hanging Around established them as a vital force in British music, while songs like “Pressure Point”, “Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love?” and “Valerie” became modern classics. “Valerie” in particular achieved global reach, cementing McCabe’s reputation as one of the great British songwriters of his generation. Alongside that body of work, McCabe has continued to write constantly, for himself and for others, and in recent years has been quietly building a new collection of songs that mark the beginning of an exciting solo release. These acoustic shows are the first place audiences will hear that next chapter take shape, with a run of brand-new material written for an upcoming Dave Zuton album due for release in 2026. The performances strip everything back to the essentials: voice, guitar and songwriting. Audiences can expect a carefully chosen mix of Zutons classics, deep cuts, songs McCabe has written for other artists, and, most importantly, a selection of new material that points clearly to where he is heading next as a writer. This is not about looking back. It’s about hearing great songs in their purest form, and discovering new ones at the moment they come to life. Honest, direct and unfiltered, these shows capture Dave Zuton exactly where he is now — still writing, still evolving, and still connecting through songs that don’t need volume to hit hard. “I’ve been writing loads of new songs over the last few years and it just felt like the right moment to get out and play them properly. These shows are stripped right back, just me, a guitar and the songs. I’ll play some Zutons stuff, a few deep cuts, things I’ve written for other people, but the real buzz for me is sharing the new material I’m working towards a solo record that’ll be out in 2026.

  • Dave McCabe (The Zutons)'s instagram
• More details about Ellen Beth Abdi

  Ellen Beth Abdi

  Manchester singer-songwriter Ellen Beth Abdi brings her signature blend of live loops, flowing synths, and socially conscious lyrics. Her self-produced debut album, released independently in May 2025, has already earned critical acclaim for its “wonky, soul-infused pop” sound, receiving radio support from BBC Introducing, Radio 3 (Soweto Kinch), Radio 6 (Guy Garvey, Huw Stephens, Lauren Laverne, Craig Charles), and NTS (Macca, SNO). Ellen’s enchanting and distinctive voice has gained her spots at Maida Vale, Radio 4’s Loose Ends, 6 Music Festival, We Out Here, Manchester O2 Apollo, and support slots for Olivia Dean, Hollie Cooke, Ishmael Ensemble, Oscar Jerome, and Allysha Joy. She was invited to collaborate live with music legend Angélique Kidjo, opening Aviva Studios for Manchester International Festival 2023, and was selected for Jazz North’s Northern Line programme in 2025. Her collaborations span being commissioned by Opera North and working with The Hallé Orchestra and Youth Choir to having recorded and toured with Manchester legends; New Order, 808 State, A Certain Ratio and supporting The Stone Roses at Wembley. Ellen’s vital and unique mentorship means she represents the synergy between Manchester’s past and present, proven by her innate appreciation for the city's rich cultural heritage of which her music is an integral part. "One of Manchester’s finest" - Craig Charles

• More details about The Folk Drama

  The Folk Drama

  The Folk Drama, Aaron from Edinburgh, and Violeta from LA, who formed the band just before lockdown and wrote their debut songs in a Glasgow flat. Inspired by The Beach Boys, Arthur Lee, and Pavement, their debut EP Not in the Next Life will be released on 20th April.

  • The Folk Drama's instagram