It is difficult to ignore when a band with a 20+ year history tours the UK and The Darkness are the epitome of the rock and roll touring. With a lot of live gig experience under their belt and an incredible showman in charge of the band, they have been touring the UK through April making waves. It is worth noting that the gig almost didn’t happen, as The Darkness’ frontman suffered from a chest infection that forced the band to skip two of their gigs. Yet, as the masses flocked at the Portsmouth Guildhall and the anticipation rose, there was no question that it was going to be an incredible show.
Opening was the Northern Irish trio ASH, a band that has been building their reputation since the mid-90s. Just in the UK, the band have two gold and two platinum selling records, as well as a few songs on the top charts. With their signature Britpop sound, electric lights and flying guitars, the band took the stage with a bang. Their setlist included bangers such as “Goldfinger,” “Braindead,” “Kung Fu” and “Girl from Mars,” all of which were executed brilliantly with a lot of energy. The crowd seemed to really enjoy it, filling up the venue all the way to the back and leaving little room for late-comers. As the final notes of “Burn Baby Burn” came one, it was obvious that the band was a great choice to warm up the audience to the rock and roll feast that would follow. And for those who want to see Ash in an even bigger setting, they’re playing Victorious Festival in Portmouth this summer.
There is no need for introductions when it comes to The Darkness. For Brits, the band is a living legend and if there is anyone who says they don’t know them – or even worse don’t like them – they are definitely lying. The Darkness have been building momentum for 20 years, with their first and second records becoming massive hits. They have toured all over the world, they have broken up for a good five minutes, they have performed the hit records in full multiple times for their hardcore fans, and they still keep going. Whilst the band in itself is legendary, their frontman Justin Hawkins has a wild reputation of his own, mainly due to his YouTube channel – which I highly recommend checking out.
The stage lights made the band look like rock and roll legends, transforming the venue to a 70s rock show. It was so authentic, it felt like going back in time – big hair, shiny jeans, glittery boots, white suits and an array of guitars – The Darkness have it all. It is very rare for this age to see a band of true rockstars perform, the kind of band that has the Mick Jagger swagger, the Freddie Mercury aura and the Led Zeppelin vibe. And it is safe to say, the Darkness culminate all three together, even if it sound exaggerated.
The energy of the band on stage is beyond words, as they jump, dance and swing around restlessly. Justin Hawkins is famous for his on stage theatrics, doing handstands on the drum riser, and jumping high. As he himself said during the gig, he felt like he was on fire – and it showed.
It was incredible to see the band perform live in the stunning lights that elevated the rock and roll experience, as the falsetto vocals, multiple guitar solos and incredible stamina transferred very well to the audience who kept jumping and dancing around. But this is where it gets interesting – the setlist. Comprising of new songs such as “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy,” old bangers such as “Get Your Hands Of My Woman” and all the less famous pieces such as “Motorheart,” “Through Fire,” and “Heart Explodes,” it was the first time band decided not to play their usual first and second record hits and give homage to their newer compositions. And yes, of course they played “Friday Night” and “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” but there were some obvious much anticipated contenders that were missing.
Personally, I enjoyed every second of it, but I did hear a comment that made me think. “It’s like going to see Europe and they don’t play ‘The Final Countdown.’” I guess, for loyal fans, not listening to the greatest The Darkness hits must have been a blow – but seriously, how many times does a band have to play the same songs? It is a bold choice to do a tour with the less favourite songs, but this is exactly what makes the tour so interesting – variety and flawless execution. To me, it did not feel like anything was missing from the show, but I can definitely sympathize with the fans that felt that way.
A special mention needs to go to Justin Hawkins’ showmanship during the show. Entertaining the audience, cracking jokes, explaining personal stories, introducing the crew – he does it all. He is the embodiment of rock and roll spirit, sprinkled with a bit of stand-up comedy. The audience laughed and played along to the banter every time he gave his attention to the most obscure detail, and of course loved it when he shared personal stories. Once again, his charisma on stage is something that is very rare to see these days.
Overall, it was an amazing experience and it is a band definitely worth seeing at least once. Bonus points if you go to see them more times!
GALLERY: The Darkness with ASH at Portsmouth Guildhall in Portsmouth, UK (March 25, 2025)
