LIVE: THE KOOKS @ LEEDS ACADEMY

by | Apr 27, 2017

The Kooks are one of those bands that you find surprising when you realise you know more songs than you anticipate. Tonight in Leeds at a sold out Academy show they are playing the greatest hits tour, a best of – probably because they have hit that post 10 year milestone and really the whole thing can go one of three ways from now. They either bow out in the way that

The Enemy did a few months ago, try to replicate the previous highs with a steady release of poorer albums, or, the more probable route – milk the old classic songs to death on the festival circuit in the summer and then a winter/spring tour of concert halls (perhaps see The Fratellis as an example?).

Luke Pritchard, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Luke Pritchard, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

We arrive to see a white sheet stretched across the front of the stage and silhouettes of the band as they take up their instruments, there are tensions in this crowd even if we kind of know what is going to happen. Sure enough the shock of the dropped curtain rings screams across the venue as those former preppy kids from Brighton open with Eddies Gun, quickly followed with You Don’t Love Me. That’s the first two songs and I know them both, the reason being they’re from their debut album Inside In/Inside Out which is one of those so called “summer” albums.

Hugh Harris, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Hugh Harris, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Remember that hazy summer of 2006? No, me neither, it was probably the usual two months of grey drizzle, but, the point is there were She Moves In Her Own Way, Ooh La and Naïve to get us through it. Three great summer tracks that fit into the same category as Alright by Supergrass and Staying Out for the Summer by Dodgy. They remind us of beach sunny days and parklife with your mates. Tonight, The Kooks bring the sunshine to Leeds even though it’s actually snowing outside in April. Luke Pritchard is the frontman steering the boat and he’s incredibly sprite and looking for adventure.

Peter Denton, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Peter Denton, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

That was the biggest surprise for me that they were so energetic, from the off, no steady build it was pretty full on with Sofa Song an early entry for track of the night, the band bouncing around and Pritchard alternating between pretty boy with guitar to pretty boy with a microphone. It’s classic post brit pop for the twentysomethings crowd and lapped up by everyone even the throwing plastic boys at the back. Luke is channelling Jagger and Hutchence moves with some

Luke Pritchard and Peter Denton, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Luke Pritchard and Peter Denton, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

There is a sudden pause before Bad Habit and Down when Luke steps up to the mic and thanks all the fans for coming over the years, in a potential but not quite “this is our last tour” speech he gets everyone on their side which can only enhance the 70% female attendees’ euphoria.

Pritchard & Denton The Kooks with Alexis Nuñez on drums (John Hayhurst)

Pritchard & Denton The Kooks with Alexis Nuñez on drums (John Hayhurst)

Following the two tracks from their latest Listen album you realise that they are carefully selecting the best cuts from all their records. The biggest majority being from their debut and when She Moves In Her Own Way is played we get festival girls on shoulders and Paper Dreams Honey sung at summertastic decibels.

Luke Pritchard The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Luke Pritchard The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Fast forward a few tracks and Ooh La gets the same treatment, in fact it’s really only when a piano is rolled out for a poignant dedication to “anyone who has lost someone recently” and See Me Now that we can pause for breath, as it’s a little sweaty in the Academy tonight.

Luke Pritchard The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Luke Pritchard The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

A single spotlight and an acoustic singalong to Seaside and we are close to the end of the set, they have played over 20 tracks in a fast moving setlist. Thankfully their 2nd album Konk is reserved for only 3 songs and Shine On (and on and on ad nauseam) is the 2nd encore. Bass player Peter Denton seems to be playing most of the set on one leg, not quite sure why, but then most legs are off the ground when the guitar riff of the ultimate big Kooks hit Naïve is played.

Luke Pritchard TheKooks (John Hayhurst)

Luke Pritchard TheKooks (John Hayhurst)

The adage of saving the best till last rings true once again and a particularly bonkers young crowd gets exactly what they wanted, one final chance to sweat , dance and sing in front of the band they used to sweat, dance and sing to ten years earlier. Whilst the The Kooks may have hit a very early peak in 2006, and are unlikely now to reach major festival headliner status, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t continue for another few years at least.

Luke Pritchard, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Luke Pritchard, The Kooks (John Hayhurst)

Live Review & Photography by John Hayhurst on April 27, 2017 at Leeds Academy.

John Hayhurst has his own gig photography website www.snapagig.com

 

 

Skunk Anansie @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)

Skunk Anansie Unveil Powerful Visual For Deeply Personal New Single ‘Shame’

British rock legends Skunk Anansie have released a striking new video for their latest single Shame, a raw and emotional track that sees frontwoman Skin dive deep into her own past, confronting complex family dynamics and personal identity with unflinching honesty.

Sabrina Carpenter @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Jordan Curtis Hughes / Alfredo Flores)

An Explosive Sabrina Carpenter Show Keeps Drenched London Warm At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Hey London, how you doing? My name’s Sabrina — what’s your name?”. There is a daft cacophony of replies, that shows...
Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

Paris Paloma @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Paris Paloma Brings Barefoot Magic To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival rich with soaring choruses and star power, it was Paris Paloma’s barefoot grace and gothic romanticism that carved out one of the day’s most mesmerising sets. Taking to The Rainbow Stage on a golden midsummer afternoon, the Derbyshire singer-songwriter captivated her growing legion of fans with an intimate, emotionally charged performance that felt part séance, part storybook.

FINNEAS @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

FINNEAS Warms Up London With Heart And Humour Before Noah Kahan’s Headline Set At BST Hyde Park 2025

It’s not every day that a support slot feels like a moment of main event magic, but FINNEAS — the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter, producer, and solo artist — brought just that to the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on Friday. Performing ahead of headliner Noah Kahan and main support Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old delivered a slick, emotionally charged set that balanced heartfelt sincerity with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Northern Attitude In London: Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams & Friends Light Up BST Hyde Park 2025

It was, as the name requires, the perfect summer's day for British Summer Time Hyde Park on Friday. The sun was...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing