The Darkness: A Night of Rock and Roll Revelry

Nov 24, 2025

4 min read

Updated: Oct 18

It’s always a great pleasure to be asked by a band's PR to cover their show. This past Saturday night, I had the immense joy of attending the final show of The Darkness. What a fun experience it was to witness and photograph!

Opening Act: Mark Daly and the Ravens

The night kicked off with Mark Daly and the Ravens. They opened their set with their new single, “This is Love.” The crowd immediately got into the loud rock and roll sound, setting the tone for an evening filled with high-energy music. Backed by strong, experienced musicians, they powered through a fantastic set that had everyone moving and cheering. What a great start to the night!

Mark Daly and the Ravens Lineup

Jack Ross - Bass
James Brown - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Kyle Hughes - Drummer
Cillian Plummer - Rhythm Guitar

Setlist:

This Is Love
Devil's Arms
Better Off Alone
Brighter Days
Crazy
Don't Look Back
Superhero
I Wanna Be More

https://youtu.be/ixE_5uWbLRA?si=3h7gsFs8eaKA6M40

The Darkness Takes the Stage

After the electric start from Mark Daly and the Ravens, anticipation built quickly for the headliners. When The Darkness finally took the stage, the energy in the room shifted instantly. Justin Hawkins strutted out with his trademark flamboyance, his soaring vocals reminding everyone why this band has carved out a unique space in rock. The Darkness wasted no time showing the crowd why they remain masters of playful rock theater.

They opened with “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy” from their latest album Dreams on Toast. The band leaned into their familiar mix of humor and hard-hitting riffs. Frontman Justin Hawkins stepped out in a velvet jacket with glam rock flair, flashing quick grins as he launched into the opening with his powerful vocals.

A Memorable Moment

By the end of their second song, a bit of commotion stirred just behind me. A handwritten sign from two women in the crowd was passed forward to Justin, reading: “Please play “Love On the Rocks.” It’s how we fell in love, ironically!” Moments later, I felt something bounce off my head — what looked at first like a piece of padding. Another photographer scooped it up and handed it to Justin, revealing it to be a black bra tossed onstage by one of the same women. Justin wrapped the bra around his neck and moved right into “Get Your Hands Off My Woman.” He finished the song and then stood on his head on the drum riser. Just three songs into a 27-song setlist, The Darkness was just getting started!

The Setlist and Highlights

They continued their amazing set with tracks like “Get Your Hands Off My Woman” and “Barbarian,” delivering raw punch, while “Love Is Only a Feeling” and “Heart Explodes” carried emotional weight without ever losing intensity. Their cover of “Dead Flowers” paid proper tribute to the Stones while still carrying that unmistakable Darkness sheen. Then came “The Power of Love” — the Celine Dion classic reimagined in a way only this band could pull off. It drifted seamlessly between parody, sincerity, and full vocal showcase, landing as one of the night’s most memorable highlights.

Keeping the Momentum

As the night rolled on, the room stayed fully locked in. “Japanese Prisoner of Love,” “Friday Night,” and “My Only” kept the momentum surging, each track feeding the crowd’s energy. Between them, the band slipped in partial runs of “Pressure,” “Black Shuck,” and “Christmas Time,” quick bursts of nostalgia that sparked laughter and sing-alongs without breaking stride.

The encore was a punch of its own — a bright, sharp, and perfect moment that began with a cover of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69.” The room erupted, voices raised in unison as the band leaned into the anthem. “One Way Ticket” carried that surge forward, spinning the energy into a final sprint. And then came the closer, “I Hate Myself,” delivered with a grin, a punchline, and a blast of volume.

Conclusion: A Night to Remember

What an amazing show to witness! A very big thank you to Renee of Publicity Please for asking me to cover this show; it was such a great night!

The Darkness Members:

Justin Hawkins – Lead Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards (2000–2006, 2011–present)
Dan Hawkins – Rhythm and Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals (2000–2006, 2011–present); Additional Drums, Percussion (2005)
Frankie Poullain – Bass, Backing Vocals (2000–2005, 2011–present)
Rufus Tiger Taylor – Drums, Backing Vocals (2015–present)