Youthful abandon conquers all.
The Kooks made their triumphant return after two years away from the spotlight at The Bowery Ballroom. A new record is due in September, three years after Konk first graced ears. Fandom shortens any wait and with the crowd at the Ballroom, three years seemed like three weeks. Just under two hours before the show, the line was beginning to wrap around the corner. The Kooks were greeted with rapt attention, adoring screams and plenty of squeals. The sight of Luke Pritchard was ravishingly soaked in. At times a mob scene, at times claustrophobic, the Ballroom was filled with an energy that only the young seem to connjure up.
As the band graced the stage, Pritchard lead the way. With a swagger, smile and brimming with confidence, any fear of nerves were quickly quelled. The band picked up right where they left off. The Kooks wielded their brand of Brit-pop with aplomb. Songs straight from the hips and heart, it’s easy to see why The Kooks appeal to the young and old alike. It’s well-crafted without being fussy. No frills with enough touch and depth to get hooked.
Read more of the review and a full set of photos from the night after the jump
The band played to the fans early and often. Pritchard was always meeting fans halfway, leaning over the stage, just at the tips of outreached fingers and beckoning for a response. That confidence can sell anything, even though Pritchard didn’t need to sell. The Kooks had an amazingly receptive crowd who only wanted to see the band again and nothing more. They sung their hearts out with their pop champions and the night was a celebration for that reason.
The night kicked off with “Always Where I Need to Be,” and the great sing-along began. There was no “crowd favorite” as every song was met aplomb and zeal. Pritchard was joined by fellow founding member Hugh Harris on guitar and new members Pete Denton on bass and Chris Prendergast on drums. The new members had enough dates behind them and performed admirably.The band played plenty of older songs including “Eddie’s Gun,” “Naive,” “See the World,” “Ooh La La” and “Do you Wanna.”
The newer songs from Junk of the Heart continue to refine the sound the band has been forging since the beginning. Songs like “Eskimo Kiss,” “Saboteur,” and “Junk of the Heart” saw the band at a mature place but don’t worry, there are no political statements to be found. Instead, the songs continue that straight-forward charm that will surely delight fans and leave the jaded non-plussed as to why they are still around. Such is life but there is always a gap to be filled by the energetic and The Kooks are that type of band. Girlfriends love them, the songs are easy to remember and you’re guaranteed to be entertained by the band live. Everything was bright, nothing moody here and no musicians more focused on their instruments than the fans in attendance.
It’s easy to bash the band, to say their predecessors were better, that Alex Turner is the better young Brit lyricist and whatever else you can throw at them. They are sort of used to being underdogs, strange as that may seem considering their success. But it works for them and they continue to make rock music that tells a story and encapsulates moments and feelings with admirable charm.
At the Bowery Ballroom, the band reveled in being back. Junk of the Heart comes out on September with a full tour following shortly thereafter. The night ending with an encore featuring Pritchard giving an acoustic performance of “Seaside” and the band joining him on “Sofa Song” to close the set. A great night for fans and a bright future ahead, The Kooks have come back and won fans back all over again.
The Kooks
