The Darkness delivers electrifying rock ‘n’ roll show in Austin: Recap and Pictures
The Darkness took the stage in Austin, Texas with their Dreams on Toast tour, delivering an electrifying rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza that showcased their expertise as one of the top creators of killer riffs and catchy hooks in the music industry. The band began their almost two-hour set with “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy,” the opening track from their newest album, Dreams on Toast. Frontman Justin Hawkins embraced the theme, dressed in a red western shirt and cowboy hat while navigating the stage, belting out scorching riffs and articulate solos on his guitar.
Their performance mostly featured songs from Dreams on Toast and their debut album, Permission to Land. Despite the fact that their debut album, which is 22 years old, remains their most well-known work, Hawkins appeared unfazed by this on Saturday. In fact, he humorously acknowledged the success of their first album before playing “Givin’ Up.” The lead singer shared, “This one is for the people over there who have only listened to the first record. And I love that. That first record paid for my house — and my Porsche.”
Performing at Emo’s, a venue with a capacity of about 1,700, The Darkness managed to combine their grand light show with intimate interaction with the audience. Hawkins made the most of this unique setting, teasing Jeffrey Osborne’s “On the Wings of Love” and even borrowing a Members Only jacket from a fan in the crowd. Their signature style, blending precision with casualness, has been the band’s hallmark for over two decades. They blend the powerful riffage of AC/DC with the extravagant theatrics of Queen, showcasing a unique ability to offer both intense rock and camp theatricality. The crowd was thoroughly entertained as Hawkins directed the audience to put their phones away and jump during “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” and delivered a surprise cover of Jennifer Rush’s “The Power of Love.”
The band made waves recently when both Justin and Dan Hawkins criticized Yungblud’s performance at the MTV VMAs’ Ozzy Osbourne tribute, calling it inauthentic. While some saw their comments as envy-driven, it’s worth noting that The Darkness have the authenticity and experience to speak on live rock ‘n’ roll performances. Regardless of personal opinions, The Darkness bring a genuine hard rock showmanship combined with a sense of humor that few others in their genre can match.
In the words of a concertgoer in attendance, “He’s the best frontman in rock ‘n’ roll.” This sentiment captures the essence of The Darkness’ performance in Austin, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of their electrifying rock ‘n’ roll spectacle.