The Kooks

Founded in 2004 in Brighton, England, The Kooks emerged as part of the mid‑2000s British indie rock wave, blending melodic guitars with pop hooks drawn from Britpop. The band formed around Luke Pritchard, Hugh Harris and Paul Garred, with several changes on bass and drums over the years, while maintaining an identity rooted in tight, upbeat songwriting. The Kooks first made a name for themselves on the small stages of Brighton and then London, before releasing Inside In/Inside Out in 2006—an album steeped in indie rock and acoustic pop—followed by 2008’s Konk, which built on that template with a more assertive sound. Junk of the Heart (2011) signalled a more pop‑leaning direction, while Listen (2014), co‑produced with Inflo, folded in groovier elements and broader rhythmic structures. With Let’s Go Sunshine (2018) and 10 Tracks to Echo in the Dark (2022), The Kooks continue to explore a blend of pop rock, indie and more synthetic textures, remaining a fixture on touring and festival circuits across the UK and Europe.