"Everyone needs to go out and buy our new album, cus' we’re trying so fucking hard,” confessed a sweaty Justin Hawkins, mid-set at their headline show at Camden’s Dingwalls. Releasing their forth album ‘Last of Our Kind’ could certainly hold more actuality and depth to its pertinent name, seeing as now could be the make or break moment for a band who’ve arguably already had their time in the spotlight.
Indeed, it must be a difficult adjustment to reality, as in their heyday The Darkness could be found topping the charts, headlining festivals and running around award shows in tight spandex. Nowadays, fortunately or unfortunately (however you want to look at it), all that remains is indeed the spandex. But after years of time out, The Darkness are back to regain their title as one of the most exciting glam rock acts in the UK and beyond.
Opening with new track ‘Barbarian’ the monumental roar of guitar and high-pitched vocal fill the air and it feels like they’ve never been gone. Doing all they can to please older fans the band then launch straight into favourite ‘Growing on Me’, with the crowd cheering as they sing along to every well-known lyric.
The glam look is still prevalent within the band, especially with Hawkins’ tight blue trousers causing much distraction, but it’s a more toned down version than we’re used to seeing. There’s still a cheeky side to The Darkness though, as at one point Hawkins disobeys the security and rides through the crowd on his roadie’s shoulders, as he plays his guitar along to an improvised solo.
Later into the set the band also welcome to the stage their new drummer Rufus Taylor, who happens to be son of legendary Queen drummer, Roger Taylor. It turns out that Taylor is a refreshing bond between the band, who now clearly have the glue to accelerate each members’ extraordinary instrumental skill.
Before their three song encore The Darkness keep everyone elated, as they chime into old classic ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’. Even the security guard can’t help but sneak in a quick photo, as brother Hawkins rips into the legendarily slick guitar solo to rapturous applause.
Ending on a high note (quite literally), The Darkness’ new material brings surprises to the table, as well as their older hits awakening a nostalgic feel-good factor. It’s also clear that The Darkness are doing all they can to win back old supporters and gain new ones along the way and if tonight is anything to go by then we’re pretty sure their fan base will rise pretty rapidly once again. May the light of The Darkness never fade away.
The Darkness played:
Barbarian
Growing on Me
Black Shuck
Mudslide
Givin' Up
Roaring Waters
One Way Ticket
Hammer and Tongs
Friday Night
English Country Garden
Get Your Hands Off My Woman
Every Inch of You
Love Is Only a Feeling
Concrete
Stuck in a Rut
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Encore:
Open Fire
Street Spirit (Fade Out) (Radiohead cover)
Love on the Rocks with No Ice
