REVIEW: THE KOOKS @ MGM MUSIC HALL 3/8

Review by Kate Poe

The music is driving and upbeat, the energy is infectious, and the entire crowd is dancing, from the very front row to the last seat in the balcony. 

To celebrate the 15 year anniversary of their debut album, Inside In / Inside Out, the Kooks returned to North America for a 16-stop tour. On Friday night, they performed at MGM Music Hall with Daisy the Great and the Vaccines, with all three contributing to an energetic night that rocked the crowd. Luke Pritchard carried the vocals and guitar, with Hugh Harris on lead guitar/bass and Alexis Nunez on drums. 

The British pop-rock band released their first album in 2005, which threw them into the mainstream music scene. They have now amassed nearly 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify, thanks to experimental new work that compliments the older classics. The lyrics are youthful and catchy, capturing intimacy, relationships, and introspection. The Kooks’ unique sound is lovingly self-described as “indie sleaze,” with a bold blend of Britpop, rock and post-punk genres. It is best characterized by the members of the crowd dressed in the classic Millennial outfit of skirts over sheer tights and high-top Converse: bright and upbeat with an early 2000s alt-rock edginess.

The openers, Daisy the Great and The Vaccines, complimented the headliner perfectly. Daisy the Great warmed up the crowd with enchanting harmonies led by Kelley Dugan and Mina Walker. The crowd sang along to their hit “The Record Player Song” while the lead singers danced around on stage, washed in a pink gelled backdrop with beams of light. Someone shouted, “Happy International Women’s Day!” to the duo and the audience erupted into applause. The band gave us glitter-covered rock, pairing power with delicacy, just like their name. 

The venue was filled when The Vaccines entered the scene. With red and white carnations tied to the microphones and matching blazers, the band simply embodied English indie rock. Lead vocalist Justin Hayward-Young used the duration of the set to slowly shed his sunglasses and jacket while constantly engaging with the crowd. They’re touring with the Kooks to promote their sixth album, Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations. The band was energetic and tireless, rocking the crowd with catchy repeated chorus lines, so one could sing along by the end without having known the beginning of a song. Highlights from their set included “Post Break-Up Sex,” “Heartbreak Kid,” and “If You Wanna.” Overall, Hayward-Young’s stage presence got the crowd clapping, waving their arms, and ready for the headliner. 

And now, the Kooks. 

Frontman Luke Pritchard entered the stage alone, under a bright solo spotlight, and began with “Seaside”, the acoustic opening song off their first album. Slowly, the rest of the band filled in, and Pritchard dragged the mic stand to the back of the stage to open the space for the band to fully occupy. With his unbuttoned button-down and loose trousers, Pritchard spun and danced around the stage, stepping up onto boxes and crouching down low to address the front row of the audience. Hugh Harris jammed and moved between the front of the stage and the back risers, matching the dynamic energy of the crowd.

When Pritchard asked the audience in the balcony to stand for the next song, most were already on their feet and dancing. The band played their hit “She Moves In Her Own Way,” and the crowd sang enthusiastically along to a mini acoustic encore of the song after it ended. Those in the balcony remained standing for the rest of the show, and how could they not? The music was bright and captivating, the band reveled in the spotlight, and everyone was moving, everything from simply tapping toes to really cutting a rug. 

As the band worked their way through the first few songs, the frontman announced they’ll be singing the entirety of their first album, though the setlist diverged from that promise. In addition to the debut hits, the band sprinkled in newer songs, which true fans and casual listeners alike delightfully received. With a call and response introduction to “Bad Habit,” the music hall erupted in chanting for the powerful number.  The frontman encouraged the crowd to “really go bananas” before playing “Do You Wanna,” which featured a playful and experimental jam sesh interlude. Participation powered the captivating and vigorous energy, and the crowd was left wanting more after the band exited following “Junk of the Heart (Happy).” 

After minutes of cheering, the Kooks came back to the stage to perform the thrilling song “Around Town,” then wrapped up with their biggest hit, “Naive,” which has amassed nearly 6 million streams on Spotify. The crowd knew every word. People raised countless iPhones to record the performance. The energy peaked, the crowd roared, and someone threw a rose on stage as the Kooks embraced each other and bowed. 

Though a few in the crowd speculated that this may be their last opportunity to see the Kooks in America for a while, the country should hope that wouldn’t be the case. The Kooks brought an undeniably upbeat and dynamic energy to Boston, captivating the crowd with their clean and snappy hooks, energetic drum beats, and driving basslines. Their celebratory return to America is certainly a party, and anyone looking for a high energy night of catchy indie pop classics should hit up one of their remaining shows before the Kooks head back across the pond.