Guitar Noodles, Pyrotechnics, and Ed Sheeran: Reliving the Magic of The Darkness’s 20th Anniversary Tour

The queue was all the way down the street and round the corner to get in to this sold out show at the famous Chalk Farm venue, and boy was it worth it!
Essex rockers Bad Nerves got us off to a great start, and these were followed by the evening’s “special guest”. We were as curious as the rest of the audience as to who it might be and everyone was surprised when out walked none other than Ed Sheeran!

He proceeded to win the initially confused crowd over and payed tribute to the Darkness early on, explaining that he was a huge fan. His short, six-song set started with ‘Shivers’, included hit single ‘Shape of You’ and closed with ‘Bad Habits’, by which time the Roundhouse was in full voice.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been twenty years since The Darkness dropped ‘Permission to Land’ and exploded Into the public consciousness with the single ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’, but December sees them on the 20th anniversary tour and playing the whole album to packed houses.
Coming on to the strains of ABBA they launched straight in to ‘Black Shuck’, swiftly followed by ‘Get Your Hands off My Woman’.
“If you see anyone whose phone’s annoying you I give you permission to take it, throw it my way and I’ll shove it up my arse!” announced the outrageously dressed Justin Hawkins, his cat suit matching his guitar. Hawkins’ stage gear was only matched by bassist Frankie Poullain, who was resplendent in a sparkly suit.
Hawkins is the consummate frontman, working the audience and gyrating around the pyro-filled stage, at one point performing a head stand on the drum riser.

Ed Sheeran reappeared with his guitar for a rendition of ‘Love is Only a Feeling’. “Thanks Ed, now get the fuck off my stage!” quipped a beaming Hawkins afterwards.
The other Hawkins brother, Dan (sporting his usual Thin Lizzy T shirt), showed us just what a talented guitarist he is while Rufus Tiger Taylor (proud dad Roger was spotted in the audience) held down the groove with some awesome drumming.
“Shall I be a c**t to you or shall I just tell you what to do?” asked Justin. The crowd responded by chanting “be a c**t!!”
“OK, put your hands in the air! And maybe bounce a little bit. I get a lot of you have had knee replacements since Permission to Land….”
It was that kind of evening. Joyous and full of energy with fantastic music.
The band performed a fabulous cover of Radiohead’s ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’ before everyone sang along to ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)’ (is is December after all!) complete with fake show and a choir who joined the band onstage.
A big guitar noodle was followed by the intro and first verse of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’ and we were suddenly at the last song of the main set.
“We won’t start it till you dance. That’s a policy of mine” teased Hawkins before the sold out Camdem venue was heartily singing along to “I believe in a thing called love”.

They reappeared a few minutes later for a two-song encore and all dressed in pyjamas and silk dressing gowns, Frankie In M&S slippers and drawing chants of his name from the crowd. For ‘I Love You 5 Times’ , Dan took to the drums. Rufus was on bass and Frankie played guitar. Rodie Mike was on synth, and they were once again joined by the choir.
Another rodie carried Justin Hawkins into the audience on his shoulders from one end of the venue to the other through screaming fans (myself included) in a move that reminded us of Angus Young and AC/DC.
They were joined once again by Ed Sheeran for the final song, ‘Love on the Rocks With No Ice’.
What an evening. Full of surprises and good-time rock ’n’ roll!
The Darkness play Glasgow Barrowland on December 12, Manchester’s New Century Hall on the 12th and finish the tour in Bristol at the Beacon on the 14th.
Catch them if you can!


Guitar Noodles, Pyrotechnics, and Ed Sheeran: Reliving the Magic of The Darkness’s 20th Anniversary Tour @RockNews
The Darkness are
Justin Hawkins – Lead vocals, Guitar
Dan Hawkins – Guitar
Frankie Poullain – Bass
Rufus Tiger Taylor Drums
The Darkness discography.
Permission to Land
One Way Ticket to Hell… and Back
Hot Cakes
Last of Our Kind
Pinewood Smile
Easter Is Cancelled
Motorheart
Check out even more from The Darkness
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