Indie rockers The Kooks will celebrate two decades of hits with two headline shows in Yorkshire next summer as part of a run of special dates marking the 20th anniversary of their debut album Inside In/Inside Out.
Heading to the Yorkshire coast first, The Kooks will play TK Maxx presents Live at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Thursday June 18, before heading to Halifax to headline TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall, on Friday June 19.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am Friday via ticketmaster.co.uk
The Kooks’ Yorkshire shows’ announcement comes fresh off the back of a career defining UK arena tour this month – supporting the release of their seventh studio album earlier this year, the Top 5 selling Never/Know.
The Kooks’ 2006 debut Inside In/Inside Out sold more than two million copies providing a soundtrack to a generation. A new audience is now embracing their Britpop-tinged indie sound, alongside their loyal first-wave fans.
Their renewed energy has taken them to sold-out world tours and seen a euphoric return to major festival main stages in 2025, almost two decades on from their breakout.
The crowd’s reaction is proof of the band’s enduring impact: A cross-generational chorus singing back songs like Naïve and She Moves In Her Own Way as loudly as ever.
From the jangly indie of their early days to synth-driven experiments and Krautrock touches, and with influences ranging from soul and opera, to classic songwriting by the likes of Bob Dylan to The Rolling Stones, The Kooks are celebrating their new era not only reconnecting with their roots, but proving themselves one of indie’s most enduring live forces.
No longer just the sound of the mid-2000s, they are, once again, the soundtrack to right now.
Julian Murray, of Scarborough OAT promoters Cuffe and Taylor, said: “We are delighted to bring The Kooks to Scarborough OAT for their debut show here on the Yorkshire coast and to help celebrate 20 years at the top of indie rock. Their live show celebrating Inside In / Inside Out is sure to be a highlight of the summer and we cannot wait to hear their iconic hits.”
Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Charitable Trust, said: “We’re celebrating so many amazing milestones at next year’s shows and marking 20 years since The Kooks went stellar is going to be a big one. But this show isn’t just about looking back to classic hits and former glory, this band’s star back in ascendance in a big way right now. It’s the perfect time to welcome them to our award winning venue and I know they’re going to love it as much as we will.”
For more information about please visit scarboroughopenairtheatre.com or thepiecehall.co.uk
