Performing to some of the biggest crowds of their career, The Kooks wrapped up their UK Arena Tour with a euphoric, nostalgic-fuelled singalong at London’s O2 Arena, a triumphant reminder of their enduring place in the British indie scene.
Fresh from releasing their seventh studio album Never/Know in May, the four-piece turned their tour into the ultimate encore: a final wave of summer energy. Supported by indie newcomers Day We Ran and chart-topping favourites The K’s, the night kicked off electrically. Performing to a crowd that spanned devoted, longtime fans to a new wave of teenagers, The Kooks proved their lasting pull, a clear sign of how deeply their anthems continue to resonate across generations.
Opening with Sofa Song before launching into Always Where I Need to Be, the band had the 20,000-strong crowd in their grasp from the first note, a sign this would be a night to remember. Frontman Luke Pritchard exuded his trademark charm and easy confidence, letting the songs speak louder than any words. The seamless blend of old favourites and fresh material gave the set a perfect balance, familiar yet full of surprises, keeping the energy alive throughout.
She Moves in Her Own Way sparked the first mass singalong of the night, throwing the crowd into the haze of a summer festival as Pritchard handed them a chorus to belt out alone. The O2 quickly became a full-blown disco as the band rolled through Westside, Sweet Emotion and Bad Habit, erupting into a crowd-wide roar under Pritchard’s direction. Before introducing their springtime single Sunny Baby, he reminded the audience that “Music is the healer,” a sentiment that clearly resonated. Their setlist struck a perfect chord between nostalgia and evolution, with newer tracks like Junk of the Heart (Happy) blending effortlessly into the mix.
One of the night’s most moving moments arrived with See Me Now, Pritchard’s heartfelt tribute to his late father. As thousands of phone lights shimmered across the arena, a tender stillness filled the space, an emotional pause amid the euphoria. The glow lingered into another highlight, Seaside, the band’s nostalgic love letter to the coast. With just Pritchard and his acoustic guitar leading a full-throated London singalong, the simplicity was pure magic; a flawless moment of connection.
The set swelled towards an emotional high, weaving through deep cuts like Gap and Taking Pictures of You, before erupting into dirtier rock numbers like Matchbox and Do You Wanna. The latter flowed effortlessly into You Don’t Love Me, sending the crowd into a jubilant frenzy. Throughout the evening, lead guitarist Hugh Harris delivered standout solos that lifted each song to new heights, a reminder of the band’s timeless ability to bridge generations through sound.
After a brief exit, the band returned to the stage for an encore that sent the energy skyrocketing; pure pandemonium. “Ooh La, she was such a good girl to me”, echoed through the arena as the crowd danced in unison, before the defining Naive brought the night to a perfect close. Even after all these years, the song still lands with the same magic, the audience’s chorus nearly drowning out the band itself. Confetti rained down and London was left beaming, united in celebration of a group that continues to mean so much to so many.
The night felt less like a concert and more like a party hosted by old friends who’ve mastered the art of a good time; a powerful reminder that The Kooks are still as compelling as ever. After years of perseverance, they’ve earned their moment, finally stepping into the well-deserved spotlight of UK arena headliners. Festivals may be their stomping ground, but this arena run carried its own magic, a triumphant celebration of indie rock.
