The Darkness
w/ The Comancheros
The Wiltern (Los Angeles, CA) & The Brooklyn Bowl (Las Vegas, NV) October 6th and 8th, 2023
Review and Pictures: Marie Randall
The Darkness arrived on US soil to celebrate 20 glorious years since the release of their debut album, Permission to Land. As part of the celebration the band have put together an epic deluxe box set titled Permission to Land…Again which features the original album tracks plus b-sides and unreleased outtakes.
The tour started with a stop in San Francisco at the Masonic and Sacramento’s Ace of Spades. By the time the tour reached Los Angeles and Las Vegas, there had been some tweaks to the set list, with the number of songs whittled down from 20 to 16.
Part of the fun in going to see The Darkness is people watching. Some of the outfits fans wear can upstage even lead singer Justin Hawkins’ getups. And just when I thought I’d seen every different t -shirt of The Darkness, I see a fan in one I never knew existed.
At both shows I saw quite a few people sporting Foo Fighters and Taylor Hawkins shirts -due in part I’m sure to Justin and drummer Rufus Taylor’s involvement in the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows last year (Taylor Hawkins was also Rufus’ Godfather). At those shows, Justin proved to be an important utility player -singing lead and playing guitar with various musicians and generally helping to lift fans’ spirits.
At exactly 9:00 the lights went down and the stage was illuminated by green strobes. Abba’s “Arrival” signaled the imminent arrival of The Darkness. Guitarist Dan Hawkins took his place at stage right dressed in his uniform of black leather motorcycle jacket, skin tight denim pants, and ever present Thin Lizzy t shirt. Rufus Taylor took his spot behind his kit, and debonair bassist Frankie Poullain strolled out in a sparkly suit and black turtleneck. Justin Hawkins bounded onstage, clad in a form fitting white and black catsuit designed by Angela Bright.
The band went headlong into “Black Shuck” and proceeded to play all of the tracks on Permission to Land along with b-sides “Best of Me“, “Makin’ Out“, and “How Dare You Call This Love?” For “Curse of the Tollund Man“, Dan switched to acoustic guitar and Justin took a turn at the keyboards. The only non-PTL track the band played was their cover of Radiohead’s “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” which had been part of their live act before getting signed.
Justin Hawkins can still hit the highest of notes and is in amazing shape. As proven when he leapt onto the drum riser to do a headstand while clapping his legs during “Get Your Hands Off My Woman“.
Hawkins is infamous for his between song banter, which he did throughout the evening. At the Wiltern he tried to stir up some NoCal vs. SoCal rivalry, referencing the amazing crowds he’d experienced in San Francisco and Sacramento. He seemed disappointed that the LA crowd didn’t boo or hurl insults. At one point he explained the term “road wife” and that members of the band and crew gravitate and pair off with one another: Dan and Softy visit museums, Frankie is a loner. And Justin and Rufus are road wives, cuddling and napping before shows. See Justin’s Instagram for hilarious proof.
One reason PTL’s songs are such enduring fan favorites is their ability to translate to live performances. The songs scream out for hands in the air, sing- a- longs, and fist pumps. And of course it’s a chance for Justin to challenge the crowd to a sing off, which he ultimately ends up winning.
Throughout the night, Dan stuck to his tried and true Gibson Les Pauls. Justin however showcased his signature Atkins JH3000 Mindhorn guitar. A sort of Fender Jaguar shape with a silhouette of an “aroused” Justin on the pickguard.
One thing I was looking forward to, but was missing from these shows was the pyro that the band had been using earlier this year in Europe.
For their last song, the band launched into “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” when Justin suddenly stopped the song. He called out two buddies that had been filming all night on their cell phones. He was able to get one of their phones and shoved it down the back of his -by now sweaty -catsuit. He then proceeded to scroll the preshow texts between the two guys (funny in a Beavis and Butthead sort of way). He then had the guys come onstage and record the song on everyone’s behalf. He then asked the audience, for one song, to put away the cellphones and to be in the moment with the band, and bounce!
As an encore, the band returned to the stage, freshly showered and in robes and slippers (with Frankie the only one donning a super short robe and still wearing his turtleneck). I must say all the guys have very nice legs! The guys then switched instruments, Dan behind the drums, Frankie on acoustic and as a surprise, Rufus on bass (he’d never played before these gigs). The band then serenaded the audience with “I Love You 5 Times“, which showcased the crooner side of Justin’s amazing voice.
He then announced that the next song would be the last, but that fortunately it would last twelve minutes. And with that came “Love on the Rocks With No Ice“. The highlight of this song was midway through, Justin climbed onto the back of roadie Ian “Softy” Norfolk’s back for a walkabout / guitar solo through the audience.
The blokes in The Darkness definitely never phone in a performance. If they ever have a bad night, it never shows. Sonically, the band is amazing live. Each of their albums is a gem, but it all started with PTL – a perfect blend of Queen, AC/DC, and the Stones and a hefty dose of tongue in check sexiness and fun. With so many of rock’s stalwarts making the call to retire from the road (Aerosmith, Ozzy), it’s reassuring bands like The Darkness and Foo Fighters are still out there, not just celebrating the past, but also making relevant new music.
(Setlist identical at the October 8th show at the Brooklyn Bowl)
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Self proclaimed “heavy and western” band The Comancheros opened each night (and will be on the road with The Darkness until their gig in Kansas City). Before the show I asked friends what to expect. I got comparisons to ZZ Top, which became obvious when the band bounded onstage in matching red western outfits, boots, and cowboy hats. But a few songs in, I also got some Skynyrd vibes. Among the originals, the Missouri- based band also threw in a cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Cowboy Song”.
Drummer Michael “Bobcat” Cook was very entertaining to watch. He’s not your standard drummer seated behind their kit. Throughout their set he was up and hitting the skins from the front, raising the cymbal stands, yelling, tearing off his shirt and chugging his beer.
The band even threw in some synchronous ‘80s hair metal headbanging courtesy of lead guitarist and singer Tanner Jones and bassist Jon “Deere” Green whose long blonde mane lent itself well to the task.
The Darkness next invade Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Boston, New York City, Philly, New Jersey, and DC. They’ll end the year in Europe. They’ll start the new year in Australia and New Zealand and return to the US in March for the Monsters of Rock Cruise.
Related Links:
The Darkness
The Comancheros
