UK indie rockers The Kooks took Melbourne back to the 2000s on Thursday night.
Despite their biggest hits being from decades ago, the four-piece really knows how to put on a show and their performance at the Palace Foreshore confirmed that.
The band last toured down under during their sold-out run in 2022 which marked the 15th anniversary of their album Inside In/Inside Out. Needless to say, the crowd was thrilled to welcome them back.
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With simple and introspective lyrics and delicate yet snappy guitar solos, everyone in the crowd was dancing and belting out the lyrics, smiles plastered across their faces.
When frontman Luke Pritchard announced the band was to perform the song, Sunny Baby, from their new album Never/Know, it played like a soundtrack for the summer, brimming with sonic references to their previous material. It could stand right next to one of their biggest hits from the 2000s!
Hugh Harris’ talent for the guitar is incredible to witness, buzzing with authenticity and excitement. He plays riff after riff, solo after solo so effortlessly, making the listener feel like they’re floating through the music.
Even when his solos are unaccompanied by Pritchard’s strong vocals, you’re left amazed and wanting more. The Kooks’ music has always been driven by the guitar, and their performance feels hypnotic to witness — it makes you feel things.
The band has never been one for theatrics; their performance is a genuine display of pure, unfiltered emotion. A heartfelt rendition of Seaside saw a sea of phone lights swaying in the crowd.
Towards the end of their set, Pritchard thanked the enthusiastic crowd for an incredible night, only for them to respond with an overwhelming request for “one more song” — they hadn’t played Naive yet!
When the band returned to raucous applause to perform their most loved song, they received a complete sing-along, perhaps one of the few moments when the crowd pulled out their cameras. The rest of their set was one for the memory.
The Kooks sound exactly like they do on their records, if not better. Music, at its best, feels like home, and this band knows how to hit the sweet spot.
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