The Kooks at Old Royal Naval College

20 years after the release of debut album Inside In/Inside Out, indie icons The Kooks transformed the Old Royal Naval College into a celebration of memory, music and homecoming. Headlining the second edition of Labyrinth on the Thames, it was not only music that united band and audience, but Pritchard’s authentic anecdotes about family, dreams and personal journeys, which filled the evening with both energy and intimacy.

Opening the show with debut album track Sofa Song, crisp, open-air acoustics bounced off historic stone architecture while the sunset was reflected through onstage smoke, making the performance feel nostalgic before it had even finished. As planes crossed the open sky, The Kooks launched into Always Where I Need to Be, prompting bouncing crowds from its infectious opening refrain.

Pritchard admitted he never believed he would play this venue, having grown up around the corner in Forest Hill. Returning to the birthplace of his musical ambitions transformed the beauty of the London skyline into part of the performance itself, making the show especially meaningful for both Pritchard and the audience. The night marked a milestone in the ever-evolving legacy of The Kooks, as newer fans hearing timeless crowd-pleasers like Ooh La and Seaside for the first time sang just as loudly as older fans.

The carefree atmosphere only intensified as the night continued with frontman swagger and infectious dancing. Pritchard performed passionately, grabbing his hair, swinging his scarf and syncing his body to the rhythm. His effortless stage presence and youthful demeanour continue to captivate younger audiences, who are drawn to his high-octane, unscripted indie-rock energy over polished choreography.

Before playing one of the biggest singalongs of the night, She Moves in Her Own Way, Pritchard thanked those who “listened to us when we weren’t so cool and popular”, keeping the nostalgic mood alive by paying special gratitude to his fans from the noughties. The hit’s melody triggered waving hands and bopping knees as the crowd sang along not only to the lyrics but also the acoustic guitar line, illustrating the song’s enduring appeal. The live flair of Hugh Harris’s slightly altered yet sharp guitar solo gave it a more piercing and triumphant feel compared to the studio version by playing it an octave higher. After handing the final chorus over to the crowd to sing, Pritchard repeated the chorus once more after the song ended with just his voice and guitar, refusing to let the moment pass so soon. “It never gets old,” he laughed, and neither does the enduring joy of The Kooks, whose energy not once sauntered throughout the hit-after-hit setlist.

As darkness fell and red stage lighting grew more striking, Pritchard slowed the pace to share how grief and connection inspired his musicianship. Sat at the piano, Pritchard revealed he was just three years old when he lost his father, and that music became his way of communicating with him. He turned a letter to his late father into the album track See Me Now, dedicating the performance to those missing someone. This pensive mood demonstrated there is much more emotional depth to The Kooks’ discography that goes beyond catchy melodies. Despite the song’s undercurrent of sadness, Pritchard performed with an unwavering smile, looking out at fans swaying their flashlights. This positivity in dark moments is what makes The Kooks’ music so powerful.

After an adrenaline-filled night of soulful vocals and soaring guitar riffs, with Pritchard joining lead guitarist Harris for an extended guitar solo, the long-awaited Naive echoed across Greenwich. Declaring it “one of the best nights”, Pritchard launched into the band’s biggest hit as fireworks erupted during the second verse, staining the night sky gold and closing the night with a bang. Their set felt like more than a celebration of the past; it reflected The Kooks’ evolution from 2000s indie heroes into a cross-generational band. The group came together for a final bow before Pritchard exited the stage waving and pumping his fists – an image of unity that summarised the entire evening. The Kooks continue to prove why their music resonates across generations, balancing nostalgia with a presence that still feels vibrant and immediate. While paying ode to the classics that defined 2006, remembering the past does not stop The Kooks from looking forward, as their glory days are far from over.

Jennifer Hensey
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events, visit The Kooks’s website here.

Watch the video for Naive here: