Indie rock icons The Kooks have been confirmed as the latest headline act for the Labyrinth on the Thames summer festival, bringing their distinctive sound to London's historic riverside. The band will take to the stage on Friday, July 31, performing against the stunning backdrop of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, in a special celebration of two decades since their influential debut album.
A Milestone Performance in a Historic Setting
This summer appearance holds particular significance as it marks 20 years since the release of The Kooks' seminal first album, Inside In/Inside Out. The record, which unexpectedly catapulted the band to fame while they were still students at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, has sold over two million copies worldwide and remains a defining work of the noughties indie era.
Frontman Luke Pritchard expressed his personal connection to the location, stating: "The Old Royal Naval College gig is going to be something else. I spent half my childhood running around Greenwich - my mum's shop was literally a stone's throw away. Those buildings, that riverside, it's all tied up with my earliest memories of music and discovering who I wanted to be."
Festival Details and Ticket Information
Labyrinth on the Thames 2026 is an open-air live music series scheduled across the first three weekends of August. Each date is uniquely curated by its headline artist, transforming the 17th-century riverside landmark into a vibrant music destination with panoramic views of the Thames and London's iconic skyline.
The full-day showcase will run from afternoon into evening, promising world-class production and memorable summer moments. Following The Kooks' recent sell-out success at London's O2 Arena, demand for tickets is expected to be high.
Pre-sale tickets will be available from 12pm on Friday, February 6, with the general ticket sale commencing at 12pm on Monday, February 9. Local residents may be eligible for free and discounted tickets, adding to the community-focused atmosphere of the event.
Continuing Musical Evolution
The Kooks have maintained their relevance in the music scene with their latest album Never/Know breaking into the UK top five albums chart, achieving their highest chart position since 2008. Recently, the band released their powerful new single "See Me Now", recorded live during their 2025 O2 Arena performance, which breathes fresh life into a cherished track from their 2014 album Listen.
Their festival set promises to blend nostalgic anthems like "Naive", "She Moves In Her Own Way", and "Ooh La" with newer material, creating a dynamic performance that spans their entire career. This special anniversary show represents both a homecoming for Pritchard and a celebration of the band's enduring appeal to multiple generations of music fans.
