The Darkness brought a wave of electrifying glam-rock nostalgia to Boston’s Big Night Live on October 17th, as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Permission to Land.’ The anticipation in the air was palpable, and fans were certainly in for a treat. The evening kicked off with a full performance of the entire Permission to Land album, including some lesser-known B-sides from the same era and a Radiohead cover to boot!
The raucous opener, “Black Shuck,” set the tone for the evening with its colorful lyrics and animalistic attack. Plenty of highlights filled the initial set which had the audience in awe. Those highlights included the barnburner “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” “Stuck in a Rut,” and “Friday Night”.
The band’s charismatic vocalist and lead guitarist, Justin Hawkins, immediately commanded the spotlight with his stage antics and impressive fretwork. His signature falsetto and boundless energy had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the first note. Dan Hawkins, on rhythm guitar, seemed content standing in front of his Marshall stack, delivering a barrage of power chords that evoked shades of AC/DC’s Malcolm Young.. Bassist Frankie Poullain not only anchored the bottom end of the music but also injected his own style and humor, which was often subtle and sarcastic. It was a delightful addition to the band’s chemistry. Rufus Tiger Taylor, handling the drums, was an absolute beast throughout the night, delivering a thunderous rhythm that drove the performance from start to finish.
Throughout the night, Justin Hawkins not only provided his unique brand of frontman razzle-dazzle but also an innate ability to connect with the band’s fans. Between songs, Justin would high-five or fist pump those in the front row, ask for a cell phone or two, borrow accessories like a pair of tiger-striped sunglasses from a photographer and even a hair tie later in the set – all while briefly sharing tales of the band’s history and insights to the songs being performed. The audience hung up on every word and showed their appreciation with constant cheering and clapping. For the anthemic “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, Justin asked the audience to put their phones down and just enjoy the moment, to which they obliged – ultimately making it a better experience for one and all.
The band left the stage after “Love” for about ten minutes and naturally returned after a breather for their expected encore. Showing once again that they don’t take themselves too seriously, the Darkness returned dressed in bathrobes and loafers and they threw a delightful curveball by swapping instruments and performing the endearing and melodramatic “I Love You 5 Times.” The crowd roared with laughter and appreciation for their playful antics.
For the grand finale, The Darkness tore the roof off the awkward venue with their monstrous performance of “Love on the Rocks With No Ice.” Complete with guitar solos galore and Justin riding the shoulders of a roadie while shredding on his guitar – the audience was left in awe. After returning to the stage, the band met together in front to wave goodbye, and toss guitar picks and drumsticks to the fiendish fans.
And in the end with their fans’ hearts racing and ears ringing, the Darkness proved that they can still deliver a powerhouse performance, even after two and one-half decades in the business. Their celebration of ‘Permission to Land’ was a nostalgic trip down memory lane for long-time fans and a showcase of their enduring talent for newcomers. This concert was a testament to the band’s ability to entertain, leaving everyone in attendance with a sense of fulfillment and the echoes of The Darkness’ timeless rock echoing in their ears.
Photos by Marc Lacatell
One Response
Was glad I saw this show at Big Night Live! These guys put on a fun show! It’s a shame these guys are underrated here in America, considering their big hit ” I believe in a Thing Called Love”. Most of my friends don’t know that they did anything else after that and that they still tour! But a cult following is better than nothing at all.