May 09, 2025: Two of the biggest names from the 2000s indie explosion – The Kooks and Hard-Fi – are reconnecting and reflecting on their rollercoaster careers as a new generation rediscovers their music.
Luke Pritchard of The Kooks and Richard Archer of Hard-Fi, who once orbited the same mid-2000s music scene, admit those years were a blur of tours, success, and burnout. Both bands surfed the post-Libertines guitar band wave that once dominated UK charts, only to watch it fall out of fashion by the late 2000s, dismissed as “indie landfill.”
Now, with nostalgic Gen Z fans and TikTok revivals, they’re finding renewed energy and purpose. Hard-Fi is marking the 20th anniversary of Stars of CCTV with a reissue and new music, while The Kooks are bigger than ever, set to headline the O2 Arena and drop a fresh album, Never/Know, that draws from their early sound.
Yet, challenges remain. With grassroots venues closing and album sales a fraction of what they once were, both artists reflect on a very different industry landscape. Still, their focus is on timeless songwriting and the live connection with fans—now fueled by a surprising resurgence of interest in their anthemic, singalong-driven style.