27 October 2025
The Kooks announced as latest Forest Live headliner for show at Forestry England Delamere in June 2026
Forest Live, Forestry England’s summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announced indie darlings The Kooks as the latest headliner for its 2026 shows. The Kooks will be playing at the stunning Forestry England Delamere on Wednesday 17 June.
Their 2006 debut sold more than 2 million copies and soundtracked a generation, yet The
Kooks find themselves newly beloved by another. While their first wave of fans remain fiercely loyal, a vibrant Gen Z audience has embraced them too, making them festival headliners once again. Social media has given their unmistakable Britpop-tinged indie an unexpected renaissance, introducing their songs to millions of new ears. That renewed energy has been on full display in recent years, from sold-out world tours to huge festival moments, including a euphoric return to major festival main stages this year, nearly two decades on from their breakout. The crowd’s reaction is proof of the band’s enduring impact: a cross-generational chorus singing back songs like 'Naïve' and 'She Moves in Her Own Way' as loudly as ever.
A career defining moment came when The Kooks played their biggest ever UK headline tour which saw them take over Manchester’s Co-op Live and London’s O2 Arena this October. “You’re always trying to renovate your band and re-inspire yourself because you don't want to fall into a pattern or formula” singer Luke Pritchard said. He and guitarist Hugh Harris have mastered the art of reinvention. From the jangly indie of their early days to synth-driven experiments and Krautrock touches, The Kooks have always pushed beyond nostalgia. Harris brings in influences from soul to opera, while Pritchard threads through his love of classic songwriting, from Bob Dylan to The Rolling Stones.
The Kooks released their seventh studio album, Never/Know, earlier this year, reaching the UK Top 5; their highest chart position since 2008. Speaking about the album, Pritchard said: “I really feel like we’ve got our swagger back by letting things be and not making everything too perfect" Harris agreed: “At the heart of it, we both want the same thing, and that’s very powerful.”
Almost twenty years in, The Kooks have not only reconnected with their roots, they’ve proven themselves one of indie’s most enduring live forces. No longer just the sound of the mid-2000s, they are, once again, the soundtrack to right now.
The Kooks join confirmed headliners for the event’s 2026 Forest Live shows - Snow Patrol (Thetford Forest) and UB40 ft Ali Campbell (playing all sites) - with many more phenomenal names to be added.
Merging stellar performances from world-class acts with beautiful outdoor locations to create an atmosphere like no other, Forest Live will celebrate its 25 Anniversary in 2026 with stunning shows in four forest venues: Forestry England Cannock Chase, Delamere Forest, High Lodge Thetford Forest and Westonbirt Arboretum.
Forestry England manage and care for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests. They use the money Forest Live raises to maintain these beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees.
Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees and welcomed 313 million visits in 2024/25. Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of the nation’s forests. Over two million people have enjoyed the Forest Live gigs over the last 25 years.
Following a hugely successful run of shows over the past 25 years, this year sees Forestry England present the concert series in partnership with Live Nation’s Cuffe & Taylor for the third year running.
The Kooks
Forestry England Delamere Forest Wednesday 17 June
General tickets will go on sale on Friday 31 October at 10am.
Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at forestlive.com.
More From The Kooks here:
https://www.facebook.com/thekooksofficial
Notes to Editors
About Forestry England
Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests and welcomed 313 million visits in 2024/25. They are creating amazing places and experiences for people to enjoy, providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber.
Forestry England is growing the future and by 2026 they will:
create at least 6,000 more hectares where we integrate wilding activities in our productive forests.
increase the diversity of visitors to the nation’s forests and have one million hours of high-quality volunteer time given to the nation’s forests.
plant at least 2,000 hectares of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands
About Cuffe & Taylor
Cuffe & Taylor is one of the UK’s top live music, theatre and event promoters. Established for more than 10 years and part of the Live Nation family, they present breath-taking tours, festivals and shows across the UK filling football stadiums, arenas, theatres and major historical sites.
Cuffe & Taylor’s roster of artists is extensive and varied including Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Lewis Capaldi, Sir Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, Kylie, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Stereophonics, George Ezra, The Strokes, Sam Fender and Def Leppard. They also operate a hugely successful theatre touring department across the UK and internationally programming thousands of nights of entertainment ranging from live podcasts, screen-to-stage TV adaptations and musical theatre. In 2023 they were recipients of an Olivier Award, for Best Family Show, for their original production of ‘Hey Duggee - The Live Theatre Show’.
About Live Nation
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com
Media enquiries:
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Elle Palmer, Sonic PR elle@sonicpr.co.uk
Rob Kerford, Sonic PR rob@sonicpr.co.uk