The Kooks are Vega’s marquee booking this June. 

Named after a David Bowie tune off Hunky Dory, the Kooks are one of Britain’s better rock exports in recent years. 

Not too unlike seminal acts like The Arctic Monkeys and The Fratelli’s the Kooks have steadily cultivated an indie rock sound that is strewn with poetic influences of ska, Britpop and sheer brilliance. 

Humbly, they refer to such eclecticism by denouncing themselves as musical whores but we’re not judging. They are, quite simply, a class act that pack a powerful punch. 

The mere fact that the Brighton-formed quartet do not have much in the way of new material (their last album was way back in 2010), suggests volumes insofar as their ability to still ride the wave of their established successes goes. 

This said, they do have one new track, ‘down’, recently released as part of a new EP of the same name, in itself a funk-filled monstrosity that reverberates with the maturity of a band teeming with confidence built on a foundation of competent performances over the years.   

Those thirsting for a taste of the legendary epoch of rock acts like The Strokes and The Libertines at their prime need look no further than this concert. 

For me The Kooks fit into the same family tree; proud standouts in an era of standout experimentation in music.