The Darkness - Live Review

The Darkness Ignite Oxford’s New Theatre with Theatrical Rock Brilliance

On a warm Spring Saturday night, The Darkness stormed into Oxford’s New Theatre, bringing their signature blend of flamboyant showmanship, searing guitar solos, and tongue-in-cheek humor to an eager crowd. With their latest album Dreams on Toast on the horizon, the band delivered a set packed with fan favorites and new material.

The Darkness have always been a band that thrives on energy - both their own and that of their audience. So, when frontman Justin Hawkins saw the all-seated layout of the New Theatre, he wasn’t entirely thrilled. “We’ll make do,” he quipped early on, before promptly encouraging everyone to abandon their seats after the third song, and rush to the front. The result was a momentary transformation of the venue into a standing-room-only rock haven - until a few songs later, when Hawkins sheepishly admitted that they’d been warned about the potential for the floor to collapse, urging fans to return to their seats for safety. Not many did.

Kicking off with Rock and Roll Party Cowboy, a cut from their upcoming record, The Darkness wasted no time setting the tone for the night. The mix of blistering guitar riffs, Hawkins’ soaring falsetto, and the band’s tight musicianship had the crowd in the palm of their hands from the get-go. The setlist, a well-balanced blend of new material and beloved classics, showcased the full spectrum of their sound - from the high-energy swagger of Mortal Dread to the riff-heavy Japanese Prisoner of Love and the epic grandeur of Walking Through Fire.

Hawkins, ever the showman, was in peak form, blending vocal acrobatics with physical ones. By the third song, he was upside down on the drum riser, performing perfectly timed leg claps mid-air - an act that drew raucous applause and set the standard for the rest of the night.

Throughout the evening, Hawkins repeatedly reminded the audience of the importance of supporting the band - specifically by purchasing a lanyard from the merch stand, hilariously emphasizing that it would count toward album sales. The big joke of the night? “It’s only five English pounds,” a phrase he uttered so many times it practically became a recurring punchline.

The night also saw drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor step into the spotlight, taking on lead vocals for My Only. A rare but welcome change, his voice brought a different dynamic to the set and proved that The Darkness is more than just a one-man spectacle.

Just when the crowd thought they’d seen it all, Hawkins returned for the encore in a dazzling white pinstripe suit, looking every bit the rock-and-roll messiah. The audience, already primed for one final burst of energy, showered him with roses - an over-the-top but fittingly dramatic gesture for a band that thrives on excess.

The closing moments were a triumph. Weekend in Rome led into a shortened version of Love on the Rocks With No Ice, cut short due to venue curfews.

Despite the constraints of an all-seated venue (and the brief risk of structural damage), The Darkness turned their Oxford show into a spectacle - part rock concert, part theatrical performance, part comedy hour. With Dreams on Toast set to drop later this month, this tour is a perfect reminder of why The Darkness remain one of the UK’s most compelling live bands.

Before The Darkness took the stage, Northern Irish rockers Ash delivered a stellar opening set. Their blend of power-pop hooks and crunchy guitars made for the perfect lead-in to the main event. Kicking off with Goldfinger, the trio powered through a setlist that included A Life Less Ordinary, Orpheus, and Shining Light, with Girl from Mars receiving the loudest cheer of their time on stage. Closing the set out with the explosive Burn Baby Burn.

Remaining Tour Dates

• March 11, 2025 - Guildford, UK G Live
• March 12, 2025 - Hull, UK Connexin Live
• March 14, 2025 - Liverpool, UK O2 Academy 2 Liverpool
• March 15, 2025 - Wolverhampton, UK Wolverhampton Civic Hall
• March 17, 2025 - York, UK York Barbican
• March 18, 2025 - Edinburgh, UK Usher Hall
• March 20, 2025 - Glasgow, UK Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
• March 21, 2025 - Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK O2 City Hall Newcastle
• March 22, 2025 - Manchester, UK O2 Apollo Manchester
• March 24, 2025 - Bristol, UK Beacon
• March 25, 2025 - Portsmouth, UK Guildhall
• March 27, 2025 - Leicester, UK De Montfort Hall
• March 28, 2025 - Cambridge, UK Corn Exchange
• March 29, 2025 - London, UK OVO Arena Wembley

Tickets and further information are available on The Darkness' official website.