Speaking from London as rehearsals wrapped up, Luke admitted he was more than ready to get back on the road. “I’ve been prepping my whole life for this,” he joked, before adding that touring Europe remains a highlight for the band. “Every place you go to is a different culture, different languages. I just love touring Europe.”
The timing feels right. The Kooks released their latest album some time ago, but this run marks their first proper European tour in support of it. Even so, Luke is clear about where the focus lies. “We’ve made seven albums, so it’s kind of funny,” he said. “We’ll play a couple of new songs, but it’s more about playing the tunes people want. It’s 20 years of the band and all that business.”
That longevity did not come without its challenges. Looking back at the early years, Luke described an intense period of constant touring and pressure. “We would be with each other ten, eleven months of the year. A hundred plus shows a year,” he recalled. “We had big fights. You’re in each other’s space and you’re teenagers. It’s unsustainable in some ways.”
With time, space became essential, both personally and creatively. Luke
believes that stepping back between albums has helped the band survive. “Space is good,” he said. “Potentially for creativity as well.” He also noted that the industry itself has changed. “Labels don’t like you putting out records as quickly anymore. It’s less the artists, I think.”
Despite the passing years, The Kooks have remained connected to newer audiences, something Luke clearly values. “That’s the best thing ever,” he said, referring to younger bands and fans discovering their music. “That’s brilliant.”
The conversation also turned to Never Know, the band’s most recent record, which Luke produced himself. He explained that the goal was simplicity and speed. “We just plugged in a bunch of old amps and recorded it. It wasn’t a production project,” he said. “We did it really quick and didn’t overthink.”
Lyrically, the album reflects where Luke is now. “I’m not going to pretend that I’m in my twenties and hitting all the bars,” he admitted. “It’s lyrics about being a dad and things that people my age would relate to.”
As for the live show in Luxembourg, fans can expect something both familiar and freshly sharpened. “We’ve really gone back and got all the parts from the records,” Luke explained. “People are going to hear the 2006 version of those songs from the first album.” His ambition for the night is simple but confident: “Hopefully it’ll feel like an arena show in a small club.”
It has been more than a decade since The Kooks last played in Luxembourg, and Luke is keen to make the most of the return. “This time I’m trying to do all the cultural stuff,” he laughed, promising a show that honours the past while pointing firmly forward.
The Kooks play Rockhal this Thursday 5 February. The full interview with Luke is available below.
