The Kooks Deliver an Emotional and Energetic Performance in Manchester

As The Kooks approach the 20th anniversary of their debut album, they have found renewed popularity thanks to the TikTok generation and the success of their recent album Never/Know. Playing to the biggest crowds of their career at Manchester’s Co-op Live, the band energized an audience of 18,000 mostly young fans with euphoric singalongs to hits like ‘Naive’ and ‘Ooh La’. Despite never reaching the same hype as contemporaries like The Strokes, The Kooks continue to perform with passion and joy. The concert took place the day after a synagogue attack in Manchester, and frontman Luke Pritchard acknowledged this with a message of peace and love, creating a protective atmosphere. The setlist was a mix of indie rock and some unexpected disco elements, featuring a touching moment when Pritchard performed ‘See Me Now’ on piano, a song about his father, enhanced by the audience lighting up the arena with their phone lights. The event was both a celebration and an emotional gathering marking the band’s enduring relevance and connection with their fans.