The Kooks on Opening for the Rolling Stones: Underwear, Stadiums and Mick Jagger

As one would imagine, opening for The Rolling Stones on tour is quite an experience. Even for iconic indie rock stars in their own right, The Kooks, who opened for the band in Wales in 2006. In this 2008 interview, they reflect with bewilderment. “Just their whole way of life is insane for us to do,” says guitarist Hugh Harris. “And playing a stadium is pretty weird as well.”

They describe a backstage world so relaxed that bandmate Paul Garred was in his underwear when they met Mick Jagger – a moment they say “a lot” of girls in the ’60s might be able to relate to.

At the time, they say they’d made a few visits over the last little while to Toronto. Harris says, “I really like it (Toronto), actually you’re not allowed to say that it’s like New York are you? It’s much better than New York.”

For you, we will make an exception.

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