07 March 2013 (gig)
08 March 2013
Do you have long, skinny legs? Do you like to lunge? Can you land in the splits after a Jumping Jack? If you can say yes to all, you have just qualified as a member of The Darkness. Its ten years since they burst onto the music scene with their seventies, glam rock style and Lycra onesies making us wish we could all sing an octave higher than the Bee Gees. And now they’re back with the 2013 headline tour “Let Them Eat Cakes”.
The Darkness definitely has an eclectic fan base and at the Hammersmith Apollo last night, you couldn't move for Iron Maiden and Motorhead t-shirt clad fans, ageing rockers with long hair and an eight year old son or daughter, and women in higher heels than the entire TOWIE cast put together. The album “Permission to Land” is no doubt the reason for such diversity, making its way into most peoples’ CD collection (admit it - you know you own it!).
Having just finished touring with Lady Gaga, The Darkness proved why they are at home performing to stadium crowds. The Hammersmith Apollo just didn’t seem big enough for their show or for Justin Hawkins’ stage presence. Working the crowd from the outset, the band arrived on stage, mock-posing to accept the adulation of the crowd, holding hands under a spotlight. Halfway into the first number, the curtain dropped and POW! you’re sucked into one hell of a rock show that even Kiss would be proud of. The Darkness gets knocked for being a novelty band but they are in on the joke and boy do they milk it! Justin Hawkins had the crowd in the palm of his hand, singing every word while prancing around the stage and gyrating with his guitar. The highlight was a head stand and clapping his legs together to get the crowd going! This was no small show - it lasted an hour an fifty minutes and they sang everything from “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” to “Street Spirit” by Radiohead – yes, you did read that right – Radiohead!
Although many people don't see them as cool, The Darkness has mastered the art of a good live show and Justin Hawkins should author "How to be a performer for Dummies" - he would make a fortune. Next time they’re in town, don’t be embarrassed, take your Dad along. They’re so wrong, they’re right!
