LIVE REVIEW: ZELA @ The Cluny, Newcastle (01.10.22)

Image by Brian Nicholson

Landing back in the warm embrace of The Cluny after their inaugural Newcastle headliner back in March, this packed-out gig saw the spicy monarchs of bratpop kicking off a lightspeed tour that would see them spat back out up North a scant week later at Twisterella Festival.

Fresh out of the box then for night one, the sister and brother Griff duo – flanked by Harry Yates and Simon Shaw slinging guitars and bass around Liv’s lyrics and Max’s drums – delivered a fastidiously polished version of the life-affirming, high-energy, darkly sexy show they’ve made their blossoming reputation with.

While their single releases arrive basking in dense production, the live show is ZELA unchained; Max a relentless guiding force on the drums, Liv as Chaos Queen incarnate combining considerable pipes and complex lyrics with a near-overwhelming stage presence.

Jacked up with new single High Wasted Genes and incoming new tunes I Want Attention, I’m The Baddest, and I Really Like Her (part of the “bisexual section” and sequel to unavailable-girl-yearning banger Sleep Real Bad), this was the kind of start-to-finish captivating gig that didn’t need a Britney Spears cover but had one anyway. 

Unstoppable, essential, and always a fucking good time, ZELA nail it again.