Jamie was interviewed by the fantastic Katie Tyler on BBC Radio on 23rd May to talk about THe Zoots and the up and coming Sounds of the 60s show and tour dates.
Below is part two of the interview
PART TWO
Katie:
We’re going back now to my chat with The Zoots frontman, Jamie Goddard. They’re a brilliant band, and their show Sounds of the Sixties is coming to Chipping Norton Theatre tonight. If you can’t make that one, don’t worry — they’re also playing at the Gastonbury Festival on the 12th of July and again in early 2026.
You’ll also find them at the Kenton Theatre in Henley, and at South Mill as well — so a few great dates to pop in your diary. They also perform Sounds of the Seventies and Sounds of the Eighties shows. I asked Jamie if he has a favourite decade of music to perform.
Jamie:
For me, the sixties is definitely my favourite. Although all of the decades we cover are nostalgic for different reasons, the sixties just have something special. A big part of my job involves planning and preparation, so when we actually get to perform — that’s when I really enjoy it. That moment reminds me why I do this.
The older songs hold so much nostalgia, not just for me but for everyone who comes to see the show. I try to perform them as authentically as possible, staying true to how they were originally meant to sound.
Katie:
That’s really interesting. In terms of getting that authentic sound, how do you go about recreating that classic sixties feel? It’s quite unique, isn’t it?
Jamie:
That’s a great question. I’ve got some hollow-body guitars that help capture that sixties tone, and we use vintage Vox AC30 amps — people often recognize those right away. We also have a drum kit from the 1960s, and we’ve done a lot of studying to really understand how to recreate the sound accurately.
We approach it in a fun way, but we’re very serious about getting it right. The show is family-friendly, and you’ll probably recognise almost every song. I like to include a few surprises too — songs people don’t even realise are from the sixties. Sweet Caroline, for example, was released in 1969. It’s such a huge anthem now. And of course, songs like Hey Jude by The Beatles — everyone knows those. It’s such a joy to see the crowd’s reaction when we play them.
Katie:
I always forget that Sweet Caroline came out in the sixties! Probably because it’s become such a football anthem. Speaking of which, you’ve performed at some incredible venues — Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford, even the London Palladium. Do you have a most memorable event?
Jamie:
I love the festivals we’ve done. Denbury Festival is a great one, and we headline Twinwood every couple of years — that’s a crowd of around 11,000 people. It’s really special, and I think we’ve done it about seven times now.
I’ve also just finished a two-month tour in the Netherlands and Belgium, which was amazing. I didn’t realise how much sixties music means to audiences over there. And we’ve performed for people from all over the world — especially when we used to play on cruise ships. It’s fascinating to see the memories this music brings up for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Katie:
You also perform at weddings, right? Any particularly memorable ones?
Jamie:
Yes, quite a few — although a lot of them are under non-disclosure agreements, so I can’t say too much! But honestly, there’s nothing quite like a theatre show where the audience is there just to see you. Still, we’ve done private events all over the world. Just last week, we played at Cameron House, a five-star hotel overlooking Loch Lomond. So yes — we do get around!
Katie:
Wow, all these amazing places! As soon as you mentioned NDAs, I was intrigued, but I won’t press you for details. It’s been so lovely chatting with you, Jamie. Where can people find out more if they want to see you tonight or at a future show?
Jamie:
You can visit our website at thezoots.com, and we’re also on Facebook and Instagram as The Zoots. For tonight’s show, you can get tickets from the Chipping Norton Theatre box office — but be quick, I think there are only about 15 left!
Katie:
Jamie Goddard from The Zoots — thank you so much, and have a great show tonight!
