January 31, 2008 12:19

The Kooks preview new album in Morecambe The Kooks Tickets

Plus Max Rafferty's replacement joins them onstage

The Kooks soldiered on after the departure of bassist Max Rafferty and previewed tracks from new album 'Konk' in Morecambe last night (January 30).

Joined by temporary member Dan Logan, bassist in fellow Brighton act Cat The Dogs, the band played to 950 gig-goers at the seaside venue - part of a three-date 'intimate' mini-tour to give fans a taster of the new LP, out on April 14.

Supported on the night by Morecambe's very own Seaside Riot and London boys Captain Phoenix, the band arrived on stage to roars of appreciation, and kicked off with the upbeat number, 'Eddie's Gun'.

Decked in skinny jeans and simple, white T-shirt, frontman Luke Pritchard lapped up the fans' adoration throughout, leaping into the throng on occasion and later saying: "We should definitely come back here".

The lads, who earlier in the day were shown around Morecambe's old theatre, The Winter Gardens, told the local councillor, Evelyn Archer, that they thought the building was "magnificent" and would love to return to the resort, which has also seen the likes of Reverend And The Makers and Arctic Monkeys visit to play the venue in the past year.

A 12-song main set saw the band play old favourites including 'Ooh La', 'She Moves in Her Own Way' and 'Naive', as well as new single 'Always Where I Need To Be' and 'Mr Maker', which Pritchard dedicated to some locals he'd met in the arcade earlier that day.

The set was completed with 'You Don't Love Me', before Pritchard reappeared solo to play the appropriately titled 'Seaside' and 'Jackie Big Tits'.

The full band then emerged for their final track 'Sofa Song'.

The set was:

'Eddie's Gun'
'Always Where I Want To Be'
'Matchbox'
'Ooh La'
'Time Awaits'
'Mr Maker'
'Love It All'
'I Want You'
'She Moves In Her Own Way'
'Do You Wanna'
'Naive'
'You Don't Love Me'
'Seaside'
'Jackie Big Tits'
'Sofa Song'

The tour moves on to Leeds Brundell Social Club tonight (January 31). The show is sold out, as is their Shockwaves NME Awards Show at London Astoria on February 25.

They then play the following dates:

Manchester Apollo (April 22)
Swindon Oasis (23)
Newport Centre (24)
Hull Arena (25)
Birmingham Carling Academy (27)
Sheffield Carling Academy (28)
Edinburgh Corn Exchange (29)
London Brixton Academy (May 1,2)
Plymouth Pavilions (3)
Dublin Castle (5)

Tickets go on sale on Friday (February 1).

To check the availability of The Kooks tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS now, or call 0871 230 1094.