Live Review: Daisy the Great, The Vaccines & The Kooks at The Hollywood Palladium

In a celebratory anniversary tour, The Kooks ventured out to Los Angeles at the Hollywood Palladium to perform alongside The Vaccines and Daisy the Great. The three groups collaborated to put together one spectacular night in celebration of old and new hits from each band. 

Daisy the Great came on stage shining as they opened with their 2021 single “Glitter.” Touring with their 2022 album, All You Need Is Time, as well as their 2023 Tough Kid EP, the band introduced themselves to a welcoming crowd that was eager to hear more. Transitioning into a classic, the band paid homage to one of their first songs, “Record Player.” Establishing themselves as New Yorkers who were quite pleased with the warm weather that Los Angeles has to offer, the duo introduced new songs that have yet to be released before closing off with “Liar” and “Time Machine” as they gave a gracious thanks to The Vaccines and The Kooks for having them along on their tour.  

After five years, the London-based band made their way back to Los Angeles and they came back swinging as they opened with “I Can’t Quit” from their Combat Sports. Transitioning back into their debut album, Justin Young, The Vaccines lead singer, took the time to work through songs like “Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)” and “If You Wanna” from their debut album What Did You Expect from The Vaccines?, before introducing their newest project: Pick-Up Full Of Pink Carnations. Cruising through songs like “Heartbreak Kid,” “Norgaard,” and “All My Friends Are Falling In Love,” Young was practically leaning off the stage while lead guitarist, Timothy Lanham broke down exciting guitar solos. Finally, in a joyous reprise of “If You Wanna” into “I Always Knew,” the band closed out their set which was enveloped with admiration and love between the band themself and the audience that had flooded the dance floor. 

For the final performance, The Kooks came out to dance and bounce around with songs from nearly twenty years ago on the Inside in, Inside out anniversary tour. Initially The Kooks lead singer, Luke Pritchard, came out alone to transition into “Seaside” and greet the audience.  As the band worked through songs like “Sofa Song,” “Eddie’s Gun,” and “Ooh La,” Pritchard and his lead guitarist, Hugh Harris, demonstrated a musical chemistry unlike any other. Pritchard’s vocal range and Harris’ iconic guitar solos raised the energy astronomically as they performed songs such as “Bad Habit” and “Westside.” Throughout a nearly constant hour long performance, Pritchard admitted to how emotional he felt to be present with avid listeners from The Kooks’ debut projects, delivering a tearful thanks to the audience as “Matchbox” began. Closing out the night, “Junk Of The Heart (Happy)” was selected as their closer with a roar of applause that could be heard from outside the venue. 

The Hollywood Palladium hosted a night of nostalgia and high esteem for Daisy the Great, The Vaccines, and The Kooks. The three groups presented a new definition for indie-feel-good and genuine fun of experiencing live music like their own. Although Daisy the Great had their last night with The Vaccines and The Kooks, they ensured the audience that they fully intended to return to Los Angeles as their hearts had been won over by The Hollywood Palladium’s admirable audience. As for The Vaccines and The Kooks, the two groups will close out their North American tour in San Francisco but they ensured they would be back again. 

All said and done, the three bands put on a memorable show that even made their oldest songs feel brand new. 

Setlists: 

Daisy the Great

1. Glitter
2. The Record Player Song
3. [Unreleased]
4. [Unreleased]
5. [Unreleased]
6. Liar
7. Time Machine

The Vaccines

1. I Can’t Quit
2. Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)
3. Love To Walk Away
4. Wetsuit
5. Post Break-Up Sex
6. Heartbreak Kid
7. Headphones Baby
8. Norgaard
9. Jump Off The Top 
10. Teenage Icon 
11. World Pack
12. All My Friends Are Falling In Love
13. Lunar Eclipse 
14. If You Wanna 
15. I Always Knew

The Kooks

1. Seaside
2. See The World
3. Sofa Song
4. Eddie’s Gun
5. Ooh La
6. She Moves In Her Own Way
7. Bad Habit
8. Westside
9. Connection
10. Shine
11. Jackie Big Tits
12. If Only 
13. Do You Wanna
14. Got No Love
15. Matchbox
16. Junk Of The Heart (Happy)