By: Adam Harrison –
Justin Hawkins of The Darkness. (Photo: Adam Harrison/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)
Ten years after the release of their acclaimed debut album, Permission to Land, and well into their reunion after a five-year hiatus, English glam rockers The Darkness returned to Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre during their “Hot Cakes Tour” on Monday night.
Back in 2006, front man Justin Hawkins walked off stage and into rehab for alcohol and cocaine addiction. But if you thought he’d lost his edge, think again. Although the size limitations of the Phoenix may not have supported flying white tigers and giant floating breasts, which were used on the Permission to Land tour, Hawkins still had a few surprises to shock the audience.
Opening the evening was Hell or Highwater, a side project of Atreyu drummer Brandon Saller. Now looking like Will Sasso with his baldhead, Saller dropped the drumsticks for a microphone, as he is the sole vocalist for the hard rock band. They played several songs from their debut album, Begin Again; the notables being “Hail Mary!,” “Terrorized in the Night” and the set closing “We All Wanna Go Home.” Saller played well to the crowd and even did a song from on top of the bar. However this was only a taste of what was to follow.
The Darkness burst onto the stage, opening their 90-minute set with the lead track from Hot Cakes, “Every Inch of You” followed by the fan favourite, “Black Shuck” and their very first single “Growing on Me.”
Hawkins, who resembled a circus pirate with his curly mustache and striped leotard, could very well apply for entertainer of the year, as he was full of antics from beginning to end. From jumping scissor kicks, handstands with clapping feet to dry-humping the venue’s concrete sphinx, Hawkins did it all. But not only could Hawkins amuse, he could also melt your face off with his shredding solos, not to mention his wailing vocals.
Other set highlights included Permission to Land classics such as “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” “Love is Only a Feeling” and “Friday Night” along with “Nothin’s Gonna Stop Us” from Hot Cakes, and a cover of Radiohead’s “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” which also appeared on Hot Cakes where they elevated the song above the melancholy of the original and instead created their own unique interpretation of the ‘90s hit. However the song everyone was waiting for came at the end of the main set, the internationally popular, spine-tingling, glass-breaking, virginity-stealing, mega rock hit “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” which made some fans go berzerk with their arms-raised singing right along.
So how could The Darkness possibly top this in the encore? Well Hawkins was up to the task, saving his wildest tomfoolery to the very end. During their 15-minute version of “Love on the Rocks with No Ice,” Hawkins hopped on the shoulders of a security guard and made his way through the crowd to the back of the theatre. He then passed off his axe so he was able to climb like a chimp up to the balcony and just as we thought he couldn’t get any more outrageous, he took a swan dive from the balcony onto the sea of fans below.
With a new sense of sobriety that has rejuvenated the band, fans are now able to take in and enjoy The Darkness’ genuinely fun performances. Whether it’s at a huge festival or small theatre, they will always have something to surprise and delight.
Aesthetic Magazine | Album Reviews, Concert Photography, Interviews, Contests 
Discussion
No comments yet.