On a stormy Saturday night in Cardiff, with Storm Amy battering the UK, The Kooks brought a much-needed dose of escapism inside the sold-out Utilita Arena. More than 20 years in the game, it’s an impressive run for a band still finding new fans — and right now, they’re enjoying something of a renaissance. Off the back of their new album Never/Know and a viral TikTok resurgence, The Kooks are once again filling arenas with a blend of nostalgia and fresh energy.
The evening opened with Day We Ran, whose short set immediately grabbed the crowd. The Australian outfit’s shimmering guitar tones and sunlit harmonies cut through the storm outside, blending melodic indie pop with real emotional weight. By the end, they’d earned a roomful of new admirers.
The K’s followed with a confident, hook-filled set that radiated energy. Their Merseyside swagger came through in every riff, and they closed with Sarajevo, an anthemic, emotionally charged moment that left the crowd buzzing. Both support acts set the tone perfectly for the night ahead.
When The Kooks hit the stage, the arena erupted. Luke Pritchard led the crowd through a set that balanced fan favourites with new material. The younger audience — many discovering the band via TikTok — sang every word back, and there was plenty of crowd surfing, which, despite the security team’s best efforts, was impossible to contain given the energy in the room. These songs clearly still connect across generations.
The night climaxed with Naïve, still their biggest track. Confetti cannons showered the arena with bursts of red that looked like rose petals, echoing the imagery of the Never/Know album cover. Closing with Ooh La and Naïve, The Kooks reminded Cardiff why their songs remain some of the most beloved of the 2000s indie wave. With fresh material hitting just as hard, and a whole new generation singing along, tonight proved the band isn’t just looking back — they’re stepping into a new peak.
