Photo: Bobby Contompasis 

The 6th out of 16 stops for their US tour, The Kooks came to Empire Live in Albany New York. The Inside in / Inside out 15th Anniversary tour celebrates the bands first album in 2006 they produced after having only been formed about a year, and receiving platinum status in Many European countries for it. With songs we’ve been belting out since 2006, the crowd did more then hold their own singing along. The Kooks are accompanied on this tour with their friends, The Vaccines, who put on an electric performance, as well as Daisy the Great, who Immediately drew the entire crowd in tight.

Hailing from Brooklyn New York, Daisy the Great started the night off strong with their individualistic style that appeals to the pop dancer and rock and rollers alike. With infectious beat, Melodic singing, and an energy that drew the whole crowd right against the rail, you couldn’t help but smile up at the stage. They Paved the way for an unforgettable night by delivering moments of bliss, moments of energy and a yearning to hear more.

Originating from West Long England, The Vaccines, celebrating their newest album Pick-up Full of Pink Carnations. The band  adorned the stage with Pink carnations attached to every mic or equipment stand available. They rocked the house from the start of their set right till the last second with a high energy performance. At this point in the night Empire Live was absolutely Packed, with The Vaccines energy permeating through the crowd. Justin Hayward-Young, lead vocals and guitar, danced all over stage, and with support from the band, gave us the perfect British indie rock blasting, that had us all dancing and cheering.

By the time the Kooks made it on stage, I couldn’t have been more ready for what we were about to witness. The Kooks put on an amazing set, playing through the entirety of the Inside in / inside out album as well as mixing in other classic Kooks songs we all know and love. By the time the Kooks made it on stage, we couldn’t have been more ready for what we were about to witness.

Luke Pritchard, frontman of the Kooks, gave us everything we could of asked for, solo songs with him on his acoustic guitar, and sang us into a trances as we all screamed out the lyrics we know so well, like Ooh La, Sofa song, I want you, Matchbox, and many other songs. They Played one of there most popular songs, She moves in her own way, towards the end of their set, and it might have been the loudest sing along Ive heard yet. The crowd not being satisfied with the end of the set, they demanded an encore, louder and louder they screamed until they came back out. After playing 2 more songs, The Kooks capped the night off with the song Naive, arguably their most popular song.

Reliving every emotion ever inspired by their songs, brought back to all the places i first listened to them, all the people i listened to them with, it was truly a magical night.

 

Gallery: