The Kooks brought their latest tour, the “All Over The World Tour,” to The Fillmore on Friday, May 30. The British indie rock band performed a set that incorporated their early 2000s hits with tracks off their new album, “Never/Know.” The crowd demographic was a mix of early-2000s indie rock loyalists and a newer, younger fan base. It is safe to say The Kooks had something exciting for everyone in the audience. The band opened with “Sofa Song,” a track off of their 2006 debut studio album, “Inside In / Inside Out.” The crowd responded with bursting energy, singing the lyrics and dancing along as if no time had passed since the song’s release nearly two decades ago.
In response to the crowd energy, the lead singer, Luke Pritchard, emphasized that Philly is his favorite city in the United States to perform in. He followed this up with a “go birds!”,obviously leading the crowd to launch into an impromptu “E-A-G-L-E-S” chant, catching the band by surprise. It was a moment that underscored the night’s mix of energetic performance and unpredictable crowd energy. Welcome to Philly!
Their new album, released on May 9, “Never/Know” showcases their evolution as a band as they mix elements of their past with a more refined sound. The album has 11 tracks, spanning subgenres and blending elements of their classical British indie rock sound with synthpop and experimental rock; the record is a testament to their evolution over nearly two decades. The track “Sunny Baby” stands out as a catchy indie pop hit perfect for a sunny summer day. The new album really demonstrates the band’s passion for staying true to their roots to appeal to longtime fans while also evolving to attract a fresh fanbase.
A standout moment of the show came during “Do You Wanna,” when the band played electrifying drum and guitar solos. The drummer, Alex Nunez, delivered a smashingly powerful drum solo that he repeated four times throughout the song, each solo more powerful and intense than the last. The energy and excitement of the band was infectious to the crowd, calling its full attention with hollering and jumping all around. The energy and intensity during this song created a definite highlight of the show.
Midway through the show, The Kooks brought out the opener lovelytheband onto stage for a surprise, first-time live performance of their collab song, “Jeanie.” This collaboration offered an exciting moment mid-set that blended the bands indie rock and alt-pop sounds with natural and playful energy on stage. But, not every moment was one of high energy. In the second half of the show, Pritchard sat alone at a piano for a ballad, “See Me Now.” This moment made for an emotional break during the otherwise intensely energetic show, bringing a vulnerability to the show that had been previously lacking.
The band continued onward with the show without any long breaks, going into the hit “Junk of the Heart (Happy),” engaging the crowd’s full attention once again. Even when the show ended, it was not really over. The band came out for encore songs “See The World” and “Naive,” one their most beloved hits and a perfect closing song. Fans jumped and danced with the same energy as the first song of the show, a true testament to the infectious energy of the band and the crowd. The show was an excellent representation of the Kooks’ phenomenal stage presence and would certainly encourage any concert lover to return to future shows. The Kooks really offered something for everyone, demonstrating their lasting evolution as an influential British rock band.