Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their platinum-selling debut album Permission to Land, The Darkness flew into Terminal 5 this past Wednesday night, October 18 at a 3,000 capacity concert hall located in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen – for the twelfth layover on their massive, 52-date global trek.
For those unfamiliar, the British quartet of Justin Hawkins (vocals, guitar, keyboards), brother Dan Hawkins (guitar), Frankie Poullain (bass) and Rufus Tiger Taylor (drums), son of Queen’s Roger Taylor, erupted onto the music scene in 2003 with said album’s infectious hit single “I Believe In A Thing Called Love.”
Providing opening support for The Darkness were Josh Dion (vocals, drums, keyboards) and Geoff Kraly (bass, modular synthesizer), better known as Paris Monster. Formed in 2012, the indie experimental duo and local natives hailing from Brooklyn took the stage promptly at 7:50 pm. Known for their musical virtuosity, Dion and Kraly play multiple instruments simultaneously and sound more like a quartet rather than just the two of them. As Hawkins would exude to the packed venue later in The Darkness’ set, “Frankie described it to me earlier. He says, ‘it sounds like aliens came down to Earth, listened to some of our music, and then decided to do their own version of it.’ Their fucking amazing. Paris Monster, it’s my favorite band.” The highlight of Paris Monster’s 40-minute, 10-song set was the closing number “A Vision Complete,” lifted from their debut EP It Once Had Been Kind released in 2013. For fans of the beat-driven, groove-based sound, inter-mixed with elements of funk and soul, I strongly urge you to check out their first full-length album entitled Lamplight (2019).
With The Darkness’ stage crew having put the finishing touch to the set, all of whom donned matching navy blue boiler suits complete with their nickname on the back, Abba’s instrumental “Arrival” played on tape over the house PA. And right on schedule, at a few ticks past 9;00 pm, the house lights went dark and the rock and roll outfit from ‘the other side of the pond’ appeared from the shadows.
Playing 2003 Permission to Land’s album in its entirety (and according to Justin, “in no particular order”), the 90-minute set kicked off with “Black Shuck,” a song about the Old English legend of a ghostly black dog roaming the English coastline – which actually is the lead track from their debut album. Before exploding into “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” Justin spotted a fan along the rail sporting a brilliant, Queen-branded Hawaiian shirt that he confessed has “coveted for many moons.” After asking that the shirt be taken off and handed over, Justin quipped, “Thanks friend, you’re never going to see it again. Cheers!”
As the festive night ensued, Justin and his mates gifted the power ballad and fan favorite “Love Is Only a Feeling,” and then ripped through their pop anthem and smash hit “Friday Night,” backed by an exceptional Gotham audience who belted out the infectious chorus in unison. With the epic gig’s denouement upon us, Justin sang a beautiful rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Josh of Paris Monster, followed by “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” – sans audience members taking pictures or video with their phones – as per Justin’s request.
After taking a few moments off stage for everyone to catch a collective breath, The Darkness triumphantly returned to the stage rocking silk bathrobes. As Justin introduced the band before commencing the penultimate track “I Love You 5 Times,” there had been some personnel reshuffling – brother Dan was now behind the kit, Frankie had taken up an acoustic guitar, Rufus had a bass in his hands and their guitar tech, Softy, was seated at the Mellotron. The night concluded at 10:30 pm, but not before Justin majestically rode atop the shoulders of a roadie through the floor crowd during the solo to “Love on the Rocks With No Ice,” which was preceded by an impromptu jam of Don McLean’s “American Pie” (and not the full version that Justin had jokingly promised!).
Hawkins is the quintessential embodiment of the rock star persona, and per usual, he was at the top of his game on ‘hump day.’ His flamboyant, explosive on-stage energy was truly a spectacle to behold. Equipped with a signature falsetto and exquisitely delivered guitar solos featuring an intricate fingerpicking style, Hawkins gives The Darkness a magnificent pageantry that stands up in comparison to the likes of his biggest influences, notably Bon Scott, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant and Mick Jagger. Whether it be his dramatic gesticulations, a high-flying leap off the drum riser that would make David Lee Roth proud, or a show of strength by holding a self-supported handstand for what seemed like an eternity, he exhibited true showmanship and an enduring passion for his craft.
Watch The Darkness perform a cover of Radioheads’ “Street Spirit (Fade Out),” immediately followed by “Holding My Own” here:
This past October 6th, an expanded edition of Permission To Land was dropped by the band as a five-LP package, a four-CD+DVD package, a double-CD package, as well as across various digital streaming platforms. Fans of The Darkness can also look forward to a feature-length documentary dubbed “Welcome To The Darkness” coming to cinemas for one night only, on November 9th, in the UK and Ireland. Distributed by Lightbulb Film Distribution and directed by renowned photographer Simon Emmett, the film is a comeback tale of a “cult band” in search of its past glory that will also be available on digital download and Blu-ray beginning December 4th.
Paris Monster Setlist: The Unclean > Laugh it Off > Andalusia > Hot Canyon Air > Ape > I’m Not Gonna Miss This Dive > Grandma > Darkest Days > Had Damon Caught His Sloane > A Vision Complete
The Darkness Setlist: Black Shuck > Get Your Hands Off My Woman > Growing on Me > The Best of Me > Makin’ Out > Givin’ Up > Love Is Only a Feeling > Curse of the Tollund Man > Stuck in a Rut > How Dare You Call This Love? > Street Spirit (Fade Out) > Holding My Own > Friday Night > Happy Birthday > I Believe in a Thing Called Love > Encore: I Love You 5 Times > Love on the Rocks With No Ice
UPCOMING WORLD TOUR DATES
10/21/23 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
10/22/23 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
11/07/23 – Berlin, Germany @ Admiralspalast
11/08/23 – Hamburg, Germany @ Markthalle
11/09/23 – Köln, Germany @ Essigfabrik
11/11/23 – München, Germany @ Technikum
11/13/23 – Ciampino, Italy @ Orion Live Club
11/14/23 – Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz
11/15/23 – Nonantola, Italy @ VOX CLUB
11/17/23 – Prattleln, Switzerland @ Konzertfabrik Z7
11/18/23 – Luxembourg City, Luxembourg @ den Atelier
11/20/23 – Rubigen, Switzerland @ Muhle Hunziken
11/22/23 – Bruxelles, Belgium @ AB
11/23/23 – Paris, France @ La Cigale
11/24/23 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
12/02/23 – Belfast, Northern Ireland @ The Telegraph Building
12/03/23 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Olympia Theatre
12/05/23 – Edinburgh, Scotland @ 02 Academy
12/07/23 – Newcastle Upon Tyne, England @ O2 City Hall
12/08/23 – Norwich, England @ UEA LCR Norwich
12/09/23 – London, England @ Roundhouse
12/11/23 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Barrowland Ballroom
12/12/23 – Manchester, England @ New Century Hall
12/14/23 – Bristol, England @ Bristol Beacon
12/15/23 – Nottingham, England @ Rock City
12/16/23 – Wolverhampton, England @ Wulfrun Hall
12/18/23 – Leeds, England @ O2 Academy
12/19/23 – Nottingham, England @ Rock City
12/20/23 – Brighton, England @ Brighton Dome
12/22/23 – London, England @ Roundhouse
01/26/24 – Wellington, New Zealand @ The Opera House
01/27/24 – Auckland, New Zealand @ Powerstation
01/30/24 – Adelaide, Australia @ Hindley Street Music Hall
02/01/24 – Fremantle, Australia @ Metropolis
02/03/24 – West Melbourne, Australia @ Festival Hall
02/07/24 – Brisbane, Australia @ The Fortitude Music Hall
02/09/24 – Bruce, Australia @ UC Refectory
02/10/24 – Moore Park, Australia @ Horden Pavilion
03/02/24 – Miami, FL @ Monsters of Rock Cruise
PARIS MONSTER
THE DARKNESS
