The Kooks

The Kooks are a British indie rock band from Brighton, formed in 2004. The original lineup consisted of Luke Pritchard (vocals, guitar), Hugh Harris (guitar), Max Rafferty (bass), and Paul Garred (drums). They broke through soon after their formation with the release of their debut album Inside In/Inside Out (2006), which became one of the defining British indie rock albums of the 2000s, featuring hits such as Naïve, She Moves in Her Own Way, and Ooh La.

Their music blends influences of Britpop, rock, reggae, and folk-pop, giving them a broad appeal. In their first decade, The Kooks established themselves as part of the British indie renaissance, alongside bands like Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, and Kaiser Chiefs. Follow-up albums such as Konk (2008), Junk of the Heart (2011), and Listen (2014) expanded their sound – from lighter pop melodies to more experimental and electronic approaches.

In 2018, they released Let’s Go Sunshine, which marked a return to their classic indie sound, while continuing to tour extensively around the world. Their latest album, 10 Tracks to Echo in the Dark (2022), leans into dance and electronic influences while retaining the band’s melodic identity.

The Kooks are celebrated for their lively and energetic performances, as well as the charismatic presence of frontman Luke Pritchard. With millions of records sold, the band remains popular across both older and younger generations of indie music fans.