Twenty years on from releasing their first album, Inside In / Inside Out, the Kooks’ music is alive and as loved as ever. Their sold-out night at Piece Hall in Halifax was packed with hit after hit, having a multi-generational pull that speaks volumes to the success of their music.
First up was Kate Couriel. After many years as a beloved member of Seb Lowe’s band, Couriel has stepped further into the spotlight, embarking on a highly anticipated solo project.
Her set featured songs ‘Patriarchy’s Dead’ and ‘Draw Me a Person’ alongside some unreleased tracks, with politically charged lyrics that challenged morality and sexism in the current political climate. Couriel’s signature violin paired flawlessly with her powerful vocals to draw the audience into the mix of righteous anger and vulnerability.
Riding the high of their debut album, ‘Victim of a Casual Thing’, the Clause stepped out onto the stage with a cool confidence, bringing an infectious energy from the first note. Their black and white get-up was incredibly striking against the dimly lit stage, setting the tone for the evening.
Their setlist had songs from their album as well as a cover of ‘Pump Up the Jam’ by Technotronic, which the crowd loved, eagerly clapping along, warming up for an evening to remember. In a full circle moment before leaving the stage, they expressed their admiration for the Kooks, citing them as inspirations for learning to play guitar. As the sun began to set, anticipation was steadily building for the main event.
The Kooks setlist heavily leaned into their first album. With infamous songs that make up the backbone of every early 2000s indie playlist, the setlist showed their progression as a band. Frontman Luke Pritchard praised fans for keeping the music alive and being at the heart of their music.
Amongst the fast-paced, up-beat singles, the band explored different directions sonically, releasing some of their most heartfelt music to date. Pritchard dedicated ‘See Me Now’ to his late father, reflecting on how he was affected by his passing. He believed that his father had a profound impact on his music career, being left with his box of records and a Les Paul.
In a touching ballad, Pritchard reflects on his achievements and imagines his father’s pride. The crowd looked on in awe, gently swaying as they lifted a sea of phone torches. It was a breathtaking tribute, raising emotions that undoubtedly touched the audience.
A standout moment of the evening was ‘Seaside’, adored amongst fans, it is a beautifully tragic ode to young love growing up in a seaside town. It is a stark change of pace within the set that fans loved. With wistful, tender vocals and simplistic guitar chords, the song fosters a tight-knit intimacy within the audience as they carry the song.
After an evening jam-packed with hit after hit, all that was left was the encore. At this point, fans were chanting, desperate to hear them play ‘Naive’. By far the Kooks’ most popular song, it left a long-lasting mark on the indie scene in the early 2000s and every year seems to gain even more momentum throughout the festival season.
The first jangly guitar notes sent a surge of energy throughout the grounds. Within seconds, the song came alive in a way that was almost instinctive, with the crowd singing along to every single word. It came as a euphoric end to the evening, with fans fully letting loose for another evening of action-packed gigs at the Piece Hall.
✍️ WORDS BY KATIE LEE
📸 PICS BY JANIS LAW
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