Concert News
THE KOOKS ANNOUNCE FIRST UK SHOWS OF THE YEAR
British indie heroes The Kooks announced today they will play a number of stripped back, acoustic gigs across the country to celebrate the release of their seventh studio album, ‘Never/Know’. Tickets will go on sale from 11th April at 10am.
In their first UK dates of the year, frontman Luke Pritchard and guitarist Hugh Harris, will appear for a number of intimate shows in cities including Liverpool, Edinburgh, Bournemouth, and Bristol in association with the cities’ independent record stores.
The tour includes a night at Sheffield’s The Leadmill on Friday 2nd May. The independent venue, which has hosted the likes of Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and many more, revealed it will soon close its doors for the final time after losing a lengthy eviction battle in February of this year.
Speaking about the band’s decision to ensure The Leadmill and similar venues were visited on the tour, Luke Pritchard said, “[Independent venues are] the lifeblood of the British music scene. Clubs like The Leadmill were vital for us when we started out and it breaks my heart to see these places closing down. It’ll be a sad day if we lose The Leadmill.”
He added, “The UK government has undervalued live music for too long. They need to do more to keep this industry alive, for the benefit of the country and all future artists that risk not being heard.”
News of the tour follows the release of The Kooks’ brand new single, ‘Sunny Baby’. Pritchard’s ode to his partner and two kids, the infectiously catchy, summer-tinged track was accompanied by a retro style video, shot on the golden beaches of Sydney. (See the video HERE).
The Times called the single, “A riff and hook perfect [track] for the start of Spring.”
1883 said, “The Kooks have cemented themselves as a key part of the UK musical landscape.”
In January, The Kooks announced their seventh studio album, ‘Never/Know’, with a throwback Indie Club Night at Notting Hill Arts Club, for a select number of fans and friends. The album is set for release on 9th May through Virgin Music Group. The band kicked off their campaign in style with first single ‘Never Know’ being selected as Radio X’s ‘Record of the Week’. The single also received rotation on BBC Radio 1, 6Music, and Jo Whiley’s show on BBC Radio 2.
Tickets to The Kooks ‘Never/Know’ acoustic tour will be on sale from Friday 11th April at 10am. Purchase here: https://thekooks.lnk.to/OutstoreTourPR
The Kooks will play:
Friday 2nd May: Sheffield, The Leadmill
Saturday 3rd May (afternoon): Bury, Bury Met
Saturday 3rd May (evening): Leeds, The Wardrobe
Sunday 4th May: Nottingham, Saltbox
Monday 5th May: Liverpool, Jacaranda Baltic
Saturday 10th May (afternoon): Bournemouth, The Fire Station
Saturday 10th May (evening): Southampton, The 1865
Tuesday 13th May: Bristol, The Fleece
Wednesday 14th May: Coventry, HMV Coventry Empire