Once again Manchester seems to be the eye of the hurricane for cultural and sporting events: with Old Trafford playing an integral part of the Cricket World Cup, the biannual behemoth that is the Manchester International Festival and, of course, the now traditional Sounds of The City Festival.
Taking place at Castlefield Bowl and located in one of the oldest parts of the city, the Sound of the City series of gigs is now a staple of the UK festival scene and goes from strength to strength with its eclectic mix of fine music artists and great music!
This year line up boasts the likes of Elbow, Kylie, The National, and Janelle Monáe. However, there is one band on the bill that aren’t getting they attention they deserve…. The Kooks.
The Brighton three-piece headline on Friday 12th July, supported by The Sherlocks and Sea Girls, for what promises to be a fantastic Friday night, with some top tunes and indie disco floor fillers.
This gig follows the release of their fifth studio album Let’s Go Sunshine, and whilst the band can’t guarantee the sunshine to the 8,000 capacity pavilion (it is Manchester after all) what they can and will deliver on is a blend of sun drenched, lazy tracks mixed with some foot stomping, sing-along anthems.
The band’s debut album Inside In/Inside Out holds a special place in my heart: when it was released way back 2005 I was at university, songs like Naïve, She Moves in Her Own Way and Ooh La, were regulars on the dance floors of Fifth Ave and and 42nd Street, fitting in seamlessly with songs from Oasis, the Killers and Happy Mondays. The Kooks will always be a part of happy times with good friends, and Friday I’m hoping to treat the gig as an opportunity for a long overdue catch up with old pals.
With five albums worth of material to cherry pick from, and their latest offering receiving three- and four-star reviews across the board, Friday’s show promises to be something special for fans old and new: I mean what’s to not like? Great live music, a few beers and a night out with your pals.
The Kooks play Sounds of the City on July 12th. Tickets available from:
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