Archive – Gig Review: The Darkness at Liverpool University Guild Of Students (2011)

Live review: The Darkness at Mountford Hall, Liverpool, Friday, November 8 2011

By STEVE MASCORD

“THANKS so much for allowing us to play so many new songs. It reminds me what’s so good about our fans.”

With that, Justin Hawkins closed the first night of The Darkness’ reunion tour, in Liverpool. It was an occasion that posed so many questions about the classic rock revivalists who many still dismiss as a comedy act.

Hawkins buried the hatchet with guitar-slinging brother Dan in time to play a couple of festival shows earlier this year and there was a brief Japanese visit but tonight was the formal return – a gig relocated from the Liverpool O2 because the roof collapsed. The main interest surrounded the band’s image – would they come back less camp and more serious – and the new music.

Let’s start with whether there is, in fact, a “New Darkness”.

An early clue as to whether there was any added grittiness came when a black screen was erected so fans could not see the boys approach stage left. Not exactly punk, right? But to start tonight’s show the boys looked a little less flamboyant than you might remember. Justin wore dark colours, Dan a sort of tunic instead of his trademark Thin Lizzy T-shirts, returning bassist Frankie Poullain resplendent in the normal scarves and bandanas.

But sure enough, two thirds of the way through a set that kicks off with “Black Shuck” and finishes with “Love On The Rocks With No Ice”, Justin changes into a catsuit. “It’s the only one I had that was clean,” he jokes. I am pretty sure he later found another one, too….

Between-song banter at the student venue is kept to a minimum but there are absolutely no signs that Justin has compromised his prancing and poncing. There was a late Angus Young-style visit to the moshpit, much climbing of Ed Graham’s caged drumkit and general wiggling of the arse.

Where things have moved on somewhat is the music.

 The Darkness’ new material – my favourite was “Concrete Jungle”, early in the set – were muscular hard rock without the flourishes of “Love Is Only A Feeling” or “Hazel Eyes” (with the exception of one camp newy, with the chorus “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Love We’re Making”). Generally speaking, the impression I got from the new tracks on show was that The Darkness’ next record will be good, but that it won’t have a hit.

Significantly, the songs weren’t jokey. And those in the back catalogue that were, like “Dinner Lady Arms” and “Bald”, didn’t get a send-around. A couple of tracks – including “Concrete Jungle” or “Concrete” and “Cannonball”– made an immediate impression. The others are will take some digesting but certainly would not be described as crap – although “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us” will not be missed if it ends up on the cutting room floor.

This was a good gig, but not a great one. Road-testing new songs can adversely affect a band’s confidence and cohesiveness and this was one of those nights.

But on’t be fooled by the Justin’s facial grooming. This is the same Darkness you know and love – or know and hate.