Review by JoJo Anthony
Photos by Joe Schaeffer
The Darkness returned to Southern California in support of their eighth studio album Dreams On Toast. The sold-out Wiltern was jam-packed with loyal fans on fire in anticipation of this performance.
Opening the set with a new one called “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy,” the Darkness took to the stage. Lead guitarist and vocalist Justin Hawkins is one of the most entertaining front men performing today. He instantly captures the crowd and works them through the entire set.
The majority of the material performed was from Dreams On Toast as well as their debut record Permission To Land, released in 2003. Highlights included “Get Your Hands Off My Woman” and “Love is Only a Feeling.” A new one, “Walking Through Fire” featured some hilarious choreography from the band. “The Longest Kiss” is a great pop song to which is reminiscent of classics by Electric Light Orchestra.
Something that happens when one is longtime fan of an artist is that you have to deal with some of your favorite songs that may disappear from their live performances. This became evident for me personally after this show. However, songs like “Barbarian” from their fourth album Last Of Our Kind, which features a screaming howl from Hawkins comparable to Robert Plant on Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.” That and “Japanese Prisoner of Love” from Pinewood Smile are personal favorites of mine.
“Givin’ Up,” from the band’s first album, is not only one of the greatest rock songs ever written. Hawkins informed the audience that it’s also his brother’s (guitarist Dan Hawkins) favorite. The audience was fully engaged, singing and shouting out vocal tags during the chorus. I will admit that I was also singing at the top of my lungs and having a hell of lot of fun.
One of the oddest songs performed was “On the Wings of Love,” the 1982 classic originally done by R&B singer Jeffrey Osborne. It was beautifully performed by Hawkins on guitar. I couldn’t decide if it was performed with some humor involved because a good amount of the audience was laughing throughout. Hawkins did return to it again during the show at some periods of silence in between songs.
Another highlight featured drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor taking center stage to sing a nice, blues-flavored number called “My Only.” It appears as an extra track on the new album. Guitarist Dan Hawkins played the drums on this one as well.
The show closed with “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” Once again, the audience added their vocal talents. I’ve always been baffled that the audience manages to sing along with this extremely “wordy” chorus and full-grown men singing in a high falsetto voice. It’s something to look forward to at every single Darkness show I’ve seen.
After more than 90 minutes, the band said goodnight and exited the stage before returning for a well-deserved encore. Returning with “Black Shuck,” the band cut the song short to introduce “One Way Ticket,” the title track from their second album. I recently saw Justin say on his podcast that this was his least favorite album, which saddens me because it’s still my favorite Darkness album.
“I Hate Myself” from Dreams On Toast was the final song of the night. An amazing high energy rock n’ roll song with a great sardonic chorus: “I hate myself, I hate myself I do, I hate myself, so you don’t have to.” It ended with an extended guitar chord, smashing, drums and some heavy guitar licks. Just when you were expecting a big ending, the band broke out in a bit of “Heartbreaker” by Led Zeppelin. I loved it.
The Darkness is one of the best live acts touring these days. They have an extremely loyal fan base that is always there to support them. They should be selling out arenas in America, and I have faith they may do it someday. Guitarists Justin Hawkins and his brother Dan along with bassist Frankie Poullain have been together almost 25 years. Drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor (who also is the son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor) joined the band in 2015.
They have released some of the best albums this century. See them live and you will be entertained…
