The Zombies’ rock ‘n’ roll success is a bit of an anomaly if you really think about it. The band broke up for nearly 30 years just months prior to the release of what would become their defining album in Odessey and Oracle (1968). And even that has its own extraordinary story, having only gained popularity well after its original release. Yet here we are, 55 years later and just two decades since the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers’ reunion, and it’s like they never left.
Resurrected by founding members Rod Argent (keys & vocals) and Colin Blunstone (lead vocals) in 2001, The Zombies have performed on and off ever since. Fortunately, 2023 is another busy year, with the band promoting their most recent record, Different Game, on the Different Game North American Tour. And I got to take advantage of this "on" year, catching their acclaimed show in Glendale, California.
Playing to an intimate crowd of 1,400, The Zombies boasted a simple stage production — a black backdrop and some colored overheads and uplights — at the Alex Theatre. However, just two songs in and it became evident as to why they may shy away from a more complex production… they simply don’t need it.
Between Argent, Blunstone and their six-piece band, The Zombies blew the crowd away with each and every note. With the 17-song setlist hitting both new and old tracks alike, this was a show literally anyone would enjoy. From the long line at the merch stand to the packed crowd near the stage, the venue was riddled with die-hard Zombies' fans of all ages ready to catch a glimpse of their favorite band.
Check out the full setlist from the Alex Theatre below!
The headliners kicked off the night with a more recent hit from 2015, “Moving On," before diving into “I Want You Back Again,” a selection Colin attributed to the late Tom Petty’s cover of the tune, claiming, “If it’s good enough for Tom Petty, it’s good enough for us.”
After a crowd-pleasing rendition of The Zombies original, “I Love You” (covered by People! in 1968), the group launched into a string of old and recent releases alike including, “Different Game,” “You Could Be My Love,” “Tell Her No,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” and “Dropped Reeling & Stupid.”
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While newer tracks can sometimes elicit a more humble audience response, every hit from their 2023 LP garnered another roaring applause from the crowd. It truly was a night full of love and admiration. Whether it was Blunstone’s seemingly unwavering vocals or Argent’s pure artistry on the organ, The Zombies radiated a kind of magic that was simply infectious all night long.
Following a few 2023 hits, the group traveled back in time with four tracks from Odessey and Oracle. Kicking this section off with “Care of Cell 44” and “This Will Be Our Year,” The Zombies quickly turned what could have been a 12-minute segment into a nearly 30-minute long mini set full of solos and crowd ovations galore.
After an elegant rendition of “A Rose for Emily,” the rock legends jumped into their biggest hit, “Time of the Season,” during which the real stars of the show emerged. Just a row in front of my own, a younger couple could no longer contain their excitement and headed to the far aisle where they danced and sang their hearts out without disruption. Talk about a beautifully raw moment.
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Still riding the high of a minute-long standing ovation, The Zombies continued with a crowd favorite in “Merry-Go-Round,” before a nearly 10-minute long cover of Argent’s own “Hold Your Head Up,” featuring a mesmerizing original organ solo from Rod himself.
With Colin exiting the stage for a short break during the impressive marathon of a cover, the band closed out their set upon his return with a powerful performance of “She’s Not There” before a Blunstone and Argent-only duet of the beautifully stripped back, “The Way I Feel Inside.”
A final bow to the audience and the night was wistfully over… or so we thought. What would a rock show be without an encore?
Inspired by the deafening roars of the crowd, the band returned to the stage for a one-song encore to cap off a truly magical evening. But which song would they choose? Well, let’s just say it was a bit of an unexpected direction for a traditional encore as the group dug a bit deeper into the catalog for a cover of Denny Laine’s “Say You Don’t Mind” — a song that later became a Top-20 hit by Colin Blunstone in early ‘70s. From the first note of the tune, it was clear Blunstone had won the battle of encore song choice as he glowed through the entire performance, even sharing a smirk or two with Argent along the way.
And with that, The Zombies shared a true final bow as they soaked in their last moments with the 1,400 admirers before them. It was genuinely a night to be remembered in Glendale.
This tour is one you won’t want to miss, and it's just getting started. Check out all of The Zombies remaining 2023 Different Game North American Tour dates below!
The Zombies 2023 Different Game North American Tour Dates:
10/09 – Santa Fe, NM @ Lensic Performing Arts Center
10/11 – Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
10/13 – St. Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theater
10/14 – Milwaukee, WI @ South Milwaukee PAC
10/15 – Chicago, IL @ Old Town School of Folk Music
10/17 – Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
10/18 – Royal Oak, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
10/19 – Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music Center
10/20 – Cincinnati, OH @ Ludlow Garage
10/22 – Northfield, OH @ MGM Northfield Park
10/24 – Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere
10/26 – Beverly, MA @ The Cabot
10/27 – New York, NY @ The Concert Hall at New York Society for Ethical Culture
10/29 – Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
