The Kooks Return to Bowery Ballroom
By Leah Marchesano
Approaching the Bowery Ballroom last night couldn't have been more exciting. At only 7pm there was a line around the corner of the venue. Everyone was waiting to see the return of The Kooks. Having been 3 years since their last NYC show, we were more than ready. To say that I am a fan of the Brighton band would be an understatement. I have been at every NYC Kooks show, from their very first to their most recent. I had the opportunity of riding around a double decker tour bus with them for a day and got guest listed for their show at The Stone Pony. I was the young age of 16 for my first Kooks show and having just turned 21 not only are things a little bit different in my life, things were very different with The Kooks. Luke Pritchard and Hugh Harris being the only original members, The Kooks now welcome Pete Denton on Bass and Chris Prendergast on drums. It's been 3 years since their second album, Konk, and they are now starting promotion for their upcoming album, Junk of the Heart.
Standing in the crowd couldn't have been more captivating. You could feel sparks flying throughout the room, sure it was my eighth Kook show but I won't deny that it felt just as thrilling as the first time.
As the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted into howls and chants, we were all giving a very loud and very loving NYC welcome to our beloved Brits. They started off fast with 'Always Where I Need To Be', it worked the crowd up into a frenzy. The rest of the night was filled with a mixture of old favorites such as 'Sofa Song', 'Seaside', 'Shine On' and 'Eddie's Gun'. New songs were also introduced, 'Eskimo Kiss' and 'Junk of the Heart' being two of them. Luke Pritchard is one of the most energetic frontmen you will ever have the pleasure of watching. He comes into the crowd, he sings to you, not at you. You can't help but dance and sing at the top of your lungs while the lights shine out and the stars in your eyes seem that much brighter.
It seemed that just as soon as it started, it was over. You walk on the sticky floor, shaking hands of your new found concert buddies with whom you somehow made a camaraderie with and then you walk out into the warm air of the night. Walking around the Bowery I found myself grinning from ear to ear. The Kooks are back and it feels like they never left.
*Leah Marchesano is a corresponding writer for Officially A Yuppie. Her other work includes covering The Twees, Klaxons for this site.