The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard has declared that the iconic indie band is entering what he describes as their "time" after two remarkable decades in the music industry. Speaking exclusively to Metro, Pritchard reflected on the band's journey since the release of their debut album Inside In/Inside Out in 2006, which catapulted them to fame with hits like Naïve, She Moves in Her Own Way, and Ooh La.
A Stellar 2025 and Ambitious Plans for 2026
The band has been riding a wave of success following a stellar 2025, which included the release of their seventh studio album Never/Know, a triumphant arena tour that saw them headline the O2 Arena in London, and a memorable appearance on the New Year's Eve staple Jools' Annual Hootenanny. Now, as they mark 20 years since their debut, Pritchard believes the quartet is poised for an even more creative and energised year ahead.
"I'm so excited for this year," Pritchard said during an interview at The Cure photo exhibition at London's Iconic Images Gallery. "We've just started writing the new album and feel really confident to try and write the best album we've ever made. It's the first thing on the agenda and not an easy thing to do."
Reflections on a Decade of Indie Dominance
Pritchard, who attended the exhibition with his wife and music collaborator Ellie Rose, looked back on the mid-2000s era when The Kooks were giants in the UK's thrilling guitar band scene alongside acts like Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, and Kaiser Chiefs. "It was brilliant," he recalled. "These days the whole vibe's changed but that time was about decadence and touching on the darker things inspired by the 60s and 70s."
He contrasted that period with today's musical landscape, noting, "Now you're seeing the brighter things people are inspired by, which is juxtaposed by the craziness of an unstable world." Pritchard expressed immense pride in their debut album, stating, "To have one album like that in your whole life is pretty amazing. I can see it for what it is more. Back then, we were kids. The funny thing with The Kooks is we weren't friends. We'd only known each other three or four months, which is kind of crazy."
Looking Forward to Festival Season
The Kooks are set to play the Isle of Wight Festival in June 2026, sharing the bill with The Cure, Calvin Harris, Lewis Capaldi, Wet Leg, Tom Grennan, The Last Dinner Party, and other notable acts. Pritchard shared his personal connection to the festival, saying, "The Isle of Wight is the best festival in the world for me. It was the first festival I went to when I snuck out at 16 with my best mate. I've got brilliant memories of the Isle of Wight, and now playing with The Cure is a knock out."
As the band embarks on this new chapter, Pritchard emphasised their enduring passion and relevance. "We'll be working a lot – I feel energised. It's going to be a creative year. I still feel like we have a lot to say. After 20 years, I feel like this is our time." With nostalgia for the 2000s in vogue and new music on the horizon, The Kooks are clearly not resting on their laurels as they aim to craft what could be their finest work yet.
