The Kooks' Luke Pritchard Talks Opening for The Rolling Stones, New Music: 'We're Not Trying to Be Someone Else'Now, you're on a headlining tour, but next month, you'll be opening for the Rolling Stones in Germany on a few dates.I don’t know how many people get asked back, so we must’ve made a good impression to Mick [Jagger] and the guys. We did two shows with them in 2008 or something, 2007. I definitely hung out with Mick a few times after because I was friends with his daughter [Georgia] for a while. It’s very nice to be considered again. I just want to see them! [Laughs] It’s like, how can I get free tickets to see the Stones?
The thing is they do constantly inspire you. I remember when we first did it, I was walking past [backstage] and I didn’t realize it was Ronnie Wood’s dressing room. The door opens and it’s Ronnie, and “Gimme Shelter” is playing really loud, and I’m like, “Ronnie Wood, how ya doing?” He’s like, “Oh, I can’t remember how to play the chords, I’m just practicing.” Stuff like that inspires you. They’re so comfortable in their own skins and it’s really grounding, the fact that they take the time to talk to young musicians and give you little bits of advice.
So it was an easy yes this time around.I was like, “They’d better pay us more than last time.” [Laughs] No, I’m joking! It was like, “We’ll do it, I’ll pay for my own flight.”
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