NEWS
The Kooks announce acoustic UK tour to celebrate new album 'Never/Know'
10 April 2025
Indie rock stalwarts The Kooks have announced their first UK live dates of the year: a series of stripped-back, acoustic shows across the country in celebration of their upcoming seventh studio album, Never/Know, out May 9 via Virgin Music Group. Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, April 11 at 11am.
The tour will see frontman Luke Pritchard and guitarist Hugh Harris perform intimate sets in collaboration with independent record stores and venues in cities including Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Sheffield.
A highlight of the run is a special performance at Sheffield’s legendary venue The Leadmill on May 2 — a bittersweet occasion as the venue prepares to close following an eviction battle earlier this year. Reflecting on the decision to include it in the tour, Pritchard said:
“Independent venues are the lifeblood of the British music scene. Clubs like The Leadmill were vital for us when we started out, and it breaks my heart to see these places closing down. It’ll be a sad day if we lose The Leadmill.”
He also issued a passionate call to action, urging the UK government to step up:
“The UK government has undervalued live music for too long. They need to do more to keep this industry alive — for the benefit of the country and all future artists that risk not being heard.”
The announcement comes hot on the heels of new single “Sunny Baby”, a sunny, nostalgic love letter to Pritchard’s family. Shot on the beaches of Sydney, the retro-inspired music video has been making waves, with The Times calling it “a riff and hook perfect [track] for the start of Spring.”
Earlier this year, The Kooks previewed Never/Know at an exclusive throwback Indie Club Night at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club. First single “Never Know” was named Record of the Week by Radio X and received airplay across BBC Radio 1, 6Music, and BBC Radio 2.
THE KOOKS ‘NEVER/KNOW’ ACOUSTIC TOUR DATES:
Fri 2 May – Sheffield, The Leadmill
Sat 3 May (afternoon) – Bury, Bury Met
Sat 3 May (evening) – Leeds, The Wardrobe
Sun 4 May – Nottingham, Saltbox
Mon 5 May – Liverpool, Jacaranda Baltic
Sat 10 May (afternoon) – Bournemouth, The Fire Station
Sat 10 May (evening) – Southampton, The 1865
Tues 13 May – Bristol, The Fleece
Weds 14 May – Coventry, HMV Coventry Empire
The tour will see frontman Luke Pritchard and guitarist Hugh Harris perform intimate sets in collaboration with independent record stores and venues in cities including Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Sheffield.
“Independent venues are the lifeblood of the British music scene. Clubs like The Leadmill were vital for us when we started out, and it breaks my heart to see these places closing down. It’ll be a sad day if we lose The Leadmill.”
He also issued a passionate call to action, urging the UK government to step up:
“The UK government has undervalued live music for too long. They need to do more to keep this industry alive — for the benefit of the country and all future artists that risk not being heard.”
The announcement comes hot on the heels of new single “Sunny Baby”, a sunny, nostalgic love letter to Pritchard’s family. Shot on the beaches of Sydney, the retro-inspired music video has been making waves, with The Times calling it “a riff and hook perfect [track] for the start of Spring.”
Earlier this year, The Kooks previewed Never/Know at an exclusive throwback Indie Club Night at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club. First single “Never Know” was named Record of the Week by Radio X and received airplay across BBC Radio 1, 6Music, and BBC Radio 2.
THE KOOKS ‘NEVER/KNOW’ ACOUSTIC TOUR DATES:
Fri 2 May – Sheffield, The Leadmill
Sat 3 May (afternoon) – Bury, Bury Met
Sat 3 May (evening) – Leeds, The Wardrobe
Sun 4 May – Nottingham, Saltbox
Mon 5 May – Liverpool, Jacaranda Baltic
Sat 10 May (afternoon) – Bournemouth, The Fire Station
Sat 10 May (evening) – Southampton, The 1865
Tues 13 May – Bristol, The Fleece
