Dave McCabe — songwriter, frontman and founding force behind The Zutons — is embarking on a new solo chapter, bringing one of Britain’s most distinctive voices to the stage in a raw, intimate acoustic setting.

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.

Suzanne Vega

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