Fan Reviews
Tracy Williamson
April 4th 2024
I was right up front despite my arthritic legs, and never felt any pain until the next day. I've been a fan of The Darkness since their first album, and they don't disappoint live. Terrific live shows!
Justin gave me his last pick near the end of the show, and his hands were as soft as a baby's butt! I'll go to see them again anytime they come to Kansas City and I'm still alive.....I love 💕 those guys.
Kansas City, MO@The Truman
The Darkness were fantastic.
These lads really know how to put on a real Rock Show.
The band were very tight, Justin Hawkins' falsetto never wavered throughout and his guitar playing were electric, showing he is not just an incredible frontman but also an outstandingly talented guitarist.
The 3 support acts (Cry Club, DZ Deathrays and You Am I's Spinal Tap Tribute) also delivered good performances.
Moore Park, Australia@Hordern Pavilion
Catherine
February 5th 2024
Justin, Dan, Frankie and Rufus were amazing, so much energy, such outstanding musicians. Absolutely loved the night and did not want them to stop.
The venue is needing air-conditioning majorly, it was like being in a sauna, The Darkness and Cry club performed amazingly in the heat. I must say it was good that the venue was handing out cups of water to the crowd.
Fremantle, Australia@Metropolis Fremantle
Classic riffs, bombastic drums, virtuoso solos and heart-stopping vocals - The Darkness deliver it all in their inimitable cat-suited, silk pyjama-ed, Thin Lizzy t-shirt and black denim jacketed style. This last night of the tour had the requisite party atmosphere. In addition to all the hits and antics, we were treated to, amongst other things; a church choir, a sarcastic electronic dance version of IBIATCL, snippets of Radiohead, Led Zeppelin and Queen, momentary concern for a prone fan which turned out to be a marriage proposal during Love is Only a Feeling, and a David Brent impersonator. Most of us in the crowd were past the first flush of our youth, but for a couple of hours we forgot this and bounced like it was 2003. What more can you want for your money? Ed Sheeran? Well if you came on 9th Dec you got him too.
London, United Kingdom@Roundhouse
Phenomenal!!! The best live band I've ever seen (and I've seen some amazing big acts in my time). Justin's voice is just perfect and the guitar playing from Justin, Frankie, Dan and Rufus was hard, glorious and rocked us to the core!! I woke up the next morning with my long lost mo-jo!! I was finally raring to go after 5 yrs of being low. Absolutely recommend seeing The Darkness live ❤️ thank you guys ❤️ xxx
London, United Kingdom@Roundhouse
Good gig up until the encore. Probably the worst encore me and friends have ever seen (we discussed this afterwards). Love The Darkness but this show just felt a bit flat unfortunately. They could have raised the energy by going a few tracks back to back for example. The U2 With or Without You cover was good until Justin stopped it and semi-cussed U2, which was weird. Just a bit mediocre overall and maybe it was just an end of tour thing.
London, United Kingdom@Roundhouse
A balmy O2 Academy in Edinburgh welcomed The Darkness and support act Bad Nerves on Tuesday night. The latter performed a 10 song set of polished indie rock which immediately placed them on my Spotify "follow" list. They put on a tightly packed show with stand out tracks "Palace" , "Can't Be Mine" & "Dreaming".
The hall filled for the 9pm arrival of Justin, Dan, Frankie and Rufus to the stage where they immediately set off into a raucous rendition of "Black Shuck". Soured slightly by a somewhat petulant outburst about their fans taking mobile phone memories, Justin got back to his showman best and rocked out some of their first album stonkers, "Get Your Hands Off of My Woman" and "Growing on Me". They moved on to cover a couple of their early B Sides before getting back to the main Permission to Land fayre. Reminding us all just how incredible this album is. The traditional cover of Radiohead classic "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" was truly phenomenal and followed by equally brilliant versions of "Holding My Own" and "Friday Night". Justin then brought the crowd to rapture by producing a Santa hat and breaking out the greatest Xmas song of all time "Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) leading into everyones favourite "I Believe in a Thing Called Love".
A somewhat elongated wait for the encore was explained when the band appeared again in dressing gowns and underwear, the time clearly extended by trying to peel Justin out of his catsuit.
The event was thusly brought to climax with a rendition of "I Love You 5 times" and crowd pleaser anthem "Love on the Rocks with No Ice" where both Justin and Rufus ended the event stripped to their briefs.
Truly, The Darkness bring "IT" to every live performance and they deserve even more widespread success.
Edinburgh, United Kingdom@O2 Academy Edinburgh
Martin John
December 5th 2023
Permission to land again ,what a night great sound, tight performance a classic album live plus bit of zeppelin and the classic fairy tale of New York with all the audience singing there hearts out you gotta love the darkness oh and Justin does not like phones recording at the gig good for ye Justin
Dublin, Ireland@3Olympia Theatre
Ruthanne
October 23rd 2023
One of the best shows I've ever been to in my life! The Darkness is the greatest living rock band on the planet today. The VIP Meet & Greet, soundcheck, & Q&A session were so much fun. The members of The Darkness are so kind, sweet, and funny - I really enjoyed hanging out with them before the show. Starland is the best venue to see a live band in. Can't wait til we do it again!!
Sayreville, NJ@Starland Ballroom
The Darkness puts on a fantastic show. They are extremely talented artists and they have a powerful sound that screams rock and roll. It’s evident how much effort they put into preparation because the songs sound great and they are very engaged with the crowd. They make it a really fun and satisfying experience. I was smiling throughout the show! St. Andrew’s is also an awesome venue.
Detroit, MI@Saint Andrew's Hall
You guys! If for some reason you have the idea that The Darkness is a "joke band", think again. These guys are the real thing, and they rock. This is a good ol' rock and roll show like we used to see in days gone by. They love their audience and their audience loves them. If you weren't there, you missed something.
Chicago, IL@The Vic Theatre
These guys always kick ass. All the charisma and prowess of the best. If only the Foo Fighters could have someone up front who could capture an audience this well, they might be as large.
Gigs should be overblown, they should be epic and they shouldn't ever take the thing too seriously.
In a world that seems to have forgotten how to collectively enjoy themselves, we have The Darkness to remind us all once more.
Leeds, United Kingdom@First Direct Arena
The best night I have had in 2022. The Darkness were absolutely top class, the sounds, lighting the whole production was perfect and the bad were so charismatic and engaging.. they had just played at Wembley Stadium the night before so to put on such a great show was so appreciated.. 100/100
Falkirk, United Kingdom@Callendar Park
Bloody magnificent! Nonstop face melting rock that pleases the ears and rocks you to the core of your soul. Justin Hawkins is the ULTIMATE frontman! He’s energetic, charismatic and sounds every bit as good, if not even better, live as he does on the records!
10 out of 10 these guys are 100%. I would highly recommend everyone who likes music to see them live! Viva The Darkness!
Nashville, TN@Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
The band was amazing live, as always. They never disappoint. Justin's voice is still as good and powerful as ever and they are fun and energetic live.
We also did the VIP experience and it is worth every dime. You get soundcheck, Q&A, pictures with the band (following Covid protocols) and early entrance to guarantee that front row experience. The guys are always very nice and attentive with their fans. Always a blast. Do not miss this show if you like good Rock n Roll!!!!!
Orlando, FL@The Beacham
Shows by The Darkness are always a good time - great, hard and crunchy riffs, and the band has a great sense of humor. I've seen them for nearly 20 years (since 2003), and it seems they get better every time. Definitely for fans of 70's hard and glam-ish rock (Queen, Thin Lizzy, The Sweet, Humble Pie, etc). In a just world, they'd be huge, huge stars in the US. And a great time at the El Rey - probably the most intimate venue i've seen them in, and the crowd was really into the show and the band looked like they were having a blast.
Los Angeles, CA@El Rey Theatre
The Darkness are TOO MUCH FUN!!!! This band and Justin have always been so entertaining as well as very talented. He is just hilarious on stage, the antics, the acrobats, you can't NOT have a good time at their show. The real bright spot was watching so many people discover their opening band, The Dead Deads. 3 girls absolutely shredding with similar style and timing to their music as the Darkness. What a great night it was!
Los Angeles, CA@El Rey Theatre
First time seeing The Darkness, and they rocked! Wasn't sure how their live show would compare to their recorded music, but they delivered on every note! Justin Hawkins had tons of personality, hit every note, had all the moves - and the best stage clothes! GREAT SHOW! If you like rock 'n' roll, I highly recommend seeing The Darkness!🎸
Santa Ana, CA@Observatory
Brilliant as always! Played the latest album ‘Easter is Cancelled’ in its entirety, which I haven’t yet heard. It is superior. Played plenty of the classics too. Great music and a fuck off great show! So good, I hardly noticed them omitting to play ‘Black Shuck!’ But THIS dog didn’t give a fuck!
London, United Kingdom@Roundhouse
GREAT SHOW! Tragedy struck Houston the day before their show here due to a 500 year flood and the associated deaths of 7 people. They came to town and brought levity and Rock n Roll. Just what we needed. Tried to give 5 stars, but the app wouldn't let me.
Houston, TX@House of Blues Houston
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