The Darkness - Dreams On Toast Tour in Wolverhampton
The Darkness delivered yet another electrifying performance at The Halls in Wolverhampton on their ‘Dreams On Toast’ tour, but not before their support act; Ash who set the stage on fire.
The Northern Irish rockers proved to be the perfect warm-up, kicking off the night with a set that had the sold-out crowd instantly engaged. Despite the packed room, any sense of claustrophobia was forgotten as the audience fed off the energy, eagerly awaiting Justin Hawkins and company to take the stage. By the time Ash wrapped up, it was clear the crowd was more than ready for what was to come.
From the moment The Darkness hit their first note, it was obvious that frontman Justin Hawkins was in full control as he had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Proving this point especially during ‘Get Your Hands Off My Woman’ where his playful antics with the song’s lyrics provoked the exact bewildered reaction he was aiming for as an audience member screamed “what the f*ck?!”.
With years of experience under their belts, the band showcased their effortless stage presence, and Hawkins in particular was in fine form, blending sharp humour with rockstar charisma. His jabs at pop competitors like Ariana Grande and Mumford & Sons earned hearty boos from the crowd, reinforcing the tight-knit bond between the band and their fans. Even those unfamiliar with their full discography found themselves swept up in the atmosphere, proving once again that The Darkness are one of the easiest and most entertaining bands to watch.
There was a slight dip in momentum when drummer Rufus Taylor briefly took over lead vocals for ‘My Only’ but the band quickly regained the crowd’s enthusiasm with a storming cover of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’. Of course, the true highlight of the night came with the anthemic ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’, the moment everyone had been waiting for. As the final notes rang out, it was clear that The Darkness had once again reminded Wolverhampton why they have remained such a beloved force in rock for so long.
A rowdy Saturday night in Wolves, an electric atmosphere, and a band at the top of their game—it doesn’t get much better than that.
Written and Photographed by Hope Small - Portfolio
