Review: The Darkness (plus Ash) – Usher Hall

Justin Hawkins knows how to work an audience, which is – in my opinion – a ‘must have’ when putting on a great live music performance. In return, the sold-out Edinburgh crowd were absolutely delighted to share his “28th” birthday with him, to the point where ‘Happy Birthday to you’ spontaneously broke out during one of his cheeky chats with the audience.

If he’d been in less than stellar voice (at 50 – don’t hate me Justin – he sounds absolutely fantastic), the band a mote less tight, or the sound less lovingly balanced – maybe they’d have sung The Darkness something else. (Well they did, but ‘No Scotland, No Party’ is a friendly anthem)

Ash are still Shining Light

But before Hawkins and co. took the stage, it fell to Northern Irish Ivor Novello award-winners 2022, ASH to warm the audience up. Messrs. Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, and Rick McMurray seem to be in fine shape. They certainly have a discography to fill a 40-minute set with bangers, be it ‘Girl from Mars’, ‘Goldfinger’ or the once radio-inescapable ‘Shining Light’. It’s not every band that has such a richness of singles to stitch together, and 40 minutes isn’t enough to play them all – but they can crack out a solid whistlestop tour of their greatest hits.

“Messrs. Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, and Rick McMurray seem to be in fine form.”

That said, whilst Wheeler’s vocals seem intact – and American-intoned as ever – it’s a pity the mix didn’t bring him more regularly to the fore of their loud and proud set. This niggle aside, their new single ‘Jump in the Line’, offered a crowd-pleasing rock-reworked calypso with shades of the Ramones. OK so it’s not original by definition, but it’s undeniably fun. On that note, Wheeler could inject a little more fun into his banter, but I guess that would cost a track, so it’s swings and roundabouts.

The Darkness comes

This brings us to The Darkness, who erupted onto stage with all the energy and vim of 28-year-olds. Ok so the title track from their upcoming album ‘Dreams on Toast’ – ‘Rock and Roll Party Cowboy’ isn’t my favourite track, but it’s certainly a join-in number to get a (birthday) party started. Plus, with a band in such fine, tight form, and superb work from the sound techs and mixing desk, even songs you like less are a blast to experience.

Upfront and in absolute control of the audience, Justin Hawkins has charisma for days. He also looks in tremendous physical shape – expect him to do handstands in the semi-darkness just to show off. It seems that taking care of himself has paid off with a voice which still seems to have all of its range, and all of its power. He also has all of the opinions, and any Mumsford & Sons fans planning a visit should prepare accordingly.

“Upfront and in absolute control of the audience, Justin Hawkins has charisma for days.”

Anyway, back to a set laced with tracks from upcoming album ‘Dreams on Toast’ – new music more than strong enough to sit alongside ‘Love is Only a Feeling’ or ‘Growing on Me’. That’s pretty good going for their 8th studio album. Indeed, The Darkness aren’t still a good band. On the evidence of this showing from the current line-up of Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, and Rufus Tiger Taylor, this band still has its sights set on all-time greatness.

Talking of those new songs, the pick of these from the Edinburgh show might have been ode to Rock n’ Roll, ‘Walking Through Fire’, sitting someplace between Queen, Tom Petty and Rick Springfield. Throw in some crowd choreography and a rallying call to buy their new album and help them score the No. 1 spot in the charts, and the result is concert gold.

Every song’s a winner

On the other hand, picking the ‘best’ songs out of the set is really just a matter of my personal taste. They leave nothing in the dressing room when it comes to any number. ‘Get Your Hands Off My Woman’ turns Hawkins’ voice into an instrument so that the lyrics are almost irrelevant. ‘The Longest Kiss’ (also new), with shades of the E.L.O. is catchy as all hell, and ‘Barbarian’ remains hard folklore rock suitable for Spinal Tap – deservedly turned up to 11. Whatever your favourite song, if it’s in the show, you’ll be delighted with how they handle it.

You’ll even find yourself enjoying tracks that wouldn’t normally make it onto your playlists – that’s just how good the band are in the flesh.

“…the pick of these from the Edinburgh show might have been ode to Rock n’ Roll, ‘Walking Through Fire’, sitting someplace between Queen, Tom Petty and Rick Springfield.”

Of course, all roads in a Darkness concert lead to ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’ and any band that can belt out their signature track better than the studio recording made 22 years ago, is a band to grab a ticket for it you can. This is precisely what Hawkins and co. did, so off you to the ticket shop.

Kudos, as well for Justin’s no-sh*t request for folks to put away their phones and enjoy the moment. A little recording here and there (as included here) is a great thing for the memory books, but folks who experience a concert from behind a little screen have taken a wrong turn in life.

Credit: Annie Visser-Quinn

Personally, I was delighted when that monster anthem was promptly followed by ‘Love on the Rocks with no Ice’, a bonafide piece of heavy rock gloriousness.

The Darkness are worth the wait

Now, be warned, The Darkness will arrive in your town fully equipped with a bells and whistles encore – but they will also make you wait. So keep hollering, clapping and such – it’s not in vain, more is coming. New track, ‘Weekend in Rome’ is a catchy ditty for sure, but ‘I Hate Myself’ – also new, is timeless solid gold glam rock.

Anyway, that’s enough of me. In short, The Darkness seem stronger than ever, and anyone lucky enough to have a ticket for this tour is in for a fabulous night.

Images: Annie Visser-Quinn