British indie titans The Kooks launched their highly anticipated ‘Never/Know’ UK Arena Tour last night at a sold-out Co-op Live in Manchester, playing their largest headline show to date. Addressing a roaring crowd of 18,000—a mix of long-time fans and a surging army of new, younger converts—the band demonstrated their enduring appeal as a cross-generational phenomenon.
Frontman Luke Pritchard immediately tapped into the nostalgia, as songs from their debut album were sung back as fervent generational anthems. Classics like debut single “Eddie’s Gun,” “See The World,” and a triumphant “She Moves” sparked pandemonium, with Pritchard handing over the chorus to the euphoric audience.
The setlist flowed seamlessly through their career, moving from a surprise "disco section" featuring “Sweet Emotion” to the deeply personal “See Me Now” from 2014, a tribute to his late father. The arena glowed as fans illuminated the venue with their phones, helping the singer through the emotional track. New material from their seventh studio album, ‘Never/Know’—their highest-charting record since 2008—also earned big reactions, turning the arena into a summer bop with tracks like “Sunny Baby.”
Pritchard paused to thank the city, telling the crowd, “The world’s crazy but I’m going to put a bubble around us and it’s all peace and love and we’re going to have the best night with you guys.”
In a truly unforgettable moment, Pritchard spotted a fan’s sign asking for “Seaside,” invited “Joe” onto the stage, and watched as the fan played a flawless acoustic guitar accompaniment while he sang. The night culminated in an encore of pure ecstasy, with classics “Ooh La” and “Naive” sending the massive crowd home on a euphoric high.
The ‘Never/Know’ tour continues with visits to Cardiff, Brighton, Newcastle, Birmingham, and concludes with a huge finale at London’s The O2.
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