Photo Credit: Nikisha Garrett
Words: Sophie Eley
Two decades into their career, The Kooks have earned their place as indie rock mainstays. Returning to Birmingham with Never / Know, their seventh studio album and highest charting record since 2008, the Brighton trio reminded everyone why their sound still resonates. It was a night of nostalgia, energy, and a few unexpected moments of tenderness.
The night began with Australian brothers Day We Ran, a trio of charming newcomers who brought their carefree sound to a well receiving crowd. As they performed their list of tracks, it was clear their gratitude for the opportunity was genuine. Then came The K’s, who took things up several notches. Fresh from the success of their number one album Pretty On The Internet, the four-piece arrived to a roar that rivaled any headliner. Even in a support slot, their fans’ presence was impossible to ignore. Fans on shoulders filled the standing area whilst every lyric was being sung back to the band. Frontman Jamie Boyle beamed as they ripped through fan favourites and new tracks, pausing to shout out The Bends (Here We Go Again) as the band’s favourite from the record. They closed with Helen, Oh I, starting off acoustic before exploding into a full-band finale that left the room wanting more.
By the time The Kooks graced Utilita Arena’s stage, the crowd was already theirs. Opening with Sofa Song from their 2006 debut album, the Brighton stars instantly set the tone for a night that would balance nostalgia with their new era. Always Where I Need To Be and Eddie’s Gun were next, each one landing like a burst of indie rock memory, the audience singing along word for word. Following Stormy Weather, Luke Pritchard stops to thank the fans, telling them how “humbled and grateful” the band feels. The cheer that followed made it clear this feeling was mutual.
The energy continued to build as She Moves In Her Own Way sparked one of the night’s loudest singalongs, with the band looping the chorus for maximum crowd participation. In that moment, the multigenerational pull of The Kooks was clear. From there, they powered through fan favourites including Sweet Emotion, Junk of the Heart (Happy), and Sunny Baby, the first single from their latest album.
One of the night’s most moving moments came with See Me Now. Pritchard began alone at the piano, dedicating the song to his father, who passed away when he was three, and to a crew member who had recently lost his dad. Phones lit up the arena as the track slowly built, culminating in a full-band ending that offered a quiet, emotional counterpoint to an otherwise rollicking set.
The set flowed effortlessly between playful tracks like Jackie Big Tits, intimate acoustic numbers on Seaside, and arena-filling anthems such as Sway, Shine On, and Matchbox. The unpredictability of the setlist kept the night thrilling, each shift in tone maintaining the momentum.
The encore brought the arena to a fever pitch. ‘Ooh La‘ provided Hugh with an insane guitar solo whilst closer ‘Naïve‘ left the entire crowd singing in unison. As thousands of voices rang out on the final chorus, it was clear The Kooks still hold a special place in British indie. Twenty years on, they are not chasing their past but embracing it, and Birmingham was more than happy to sing along.
Taped Magazine 