Spring has certainly sprung here in Bristol, with Shorts, t-shirts and sunglasses starting to make a welcome appearance, which is indeed very sweet for all of us, but what can make that even sweeter, you ask? Well, a sold-out rock show in Bristol’s prestigious Beacon concert hall, of course.
Forming in the coastal civil parish of Lowestoft way back in the year 2000 by front-man Justin Hawkins, his younger brother Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain and drummer Ed Graham. The band went from strength to strength with each passing year, but when the debut album ‘Permission to Land’ was released in 2003 with classics such as ‘Growing on Me’ ‘Love is Only a Feeling’ and the mighty ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love.’ The Hawkins brothers along with Poullain and Graham did Catch the eyes and ears of the United Kingdom and beyond, even opening shows for thrash metal titans ‘Metallica’
Continuing to tour extensively over the world, whilst writing and recording 7 more albums, 6 of those being released after the band parted ways in 2006 due to personal reasons regarding front-man Justin Hawkins, but the band remained a regular on radio playlists, music channels, in record collections and thankfully they did reform back in 2011 with all original members until the departure of drummer Ed Graham in 2014 who was then replaced by Rufus Tiger Taylor, son of legendary Queen drummer Roger Taylor. Known mainly for their not-so-serious music videos, the catsuit glam look and the songs themselves, the band continue to reign supreme over any other band in this genre.
To the night at hand:
Taking the stage at 21:10 to one hell of an enormous cheer from the sold-out crowd inside The Beacon. Justin Hawkins dressed all in white, armed with a battered pink guitar and a smile that said “This is gonna be a good time” with his brother wearing his trademark Thin Lizzy t-shirt with his Les Paul hanging low, Bassist Frankie Poullain sporting a very shiny suit, a very pink shirt and some very cool shades, with Rufus Taylor wearing what Justin Hawkins would later in the night refer to as a “wife-beater”
The band started the set with the song ‘Rock and Roll Party Cowboy’ from the latest album ‘Dreams on Toast’ followed by crowd favourite ‘Growing on Me’ and at this point front-man Hawkins removed not just his guitar to utilise every inch of the stage but he also removed his shoes and socks, looking at his brother Dan and saying “this is me now, this is what I do” before smashing into the falsetto soaked ‘Get your hands off my woman’ followed by ‘mortal dread’ and ‘motorheart’ at this point Hawkins mentioned that he had been ill the last few days, even cancelling shows due to this. He then asked the crowd, “Would you like to see a 50-year-old man sh*t in his white trousers” Of course, the crowd responded with a unanimous “yes” This would become one of the many chants throughout the night.
Next up on the setlist was the dirty riffage of ‘Barbarian’ followed by ‘Walking through Fire’ in which the crowd were asked to march on the spot facing each side of the venue with each repeat of the chorus, it seemed even the people on the balconies were happy to oblige to the very strange request, but I will say this, man it was fun.
The band continued to push full force through the set that comprised of mostly, what the kids would say “absolute bangers” At one point of the show Hawkins asked an audience member to pass him their lanyard so he could tell people about the QR code which gives access to the at the time unreleased album, he then started yet another chant, that being “QR code” adding that if everyone buys a lanyard he will once again sh*t in his white trousers.
Nearing the end of the set, Drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor took up frontman duties whilst bass/drum tech Scott Whisker played drums on the song ‘My Only’ that was after Hawkins started the chant of “good egg” with the crowd, aimed at Whisker. I can only assume here but judging by the visuals on the large screens on either side of the stage, it was dedicated to Taylors pet French bulldog as it displayed many photos of Taylor with the dog.
Carrying on the set with Rufus back behind the kit, the songs ‘Japanese Prisoner of Love’ ‘Friday Night’ and the super sing-along anthem ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’ were played and hearing 2000 people try and sing that high is not only impressive but damn funny too. Leaving the stage only to return for the encore, we see Justin Hawkins now wearing a Tom Ford/Gucci suit which looked like it came straight from 1980’s Miami. Remarking that it’s the suit he got married in and also the suit he got divorced in, so he is happy to sh*t in it.
The encore comprised of the song ‘Weekend in Rome’ in which Hawkins pranced around the stage clutching and throwing white flowers out to the audience and ending the night with fast-paced, catchy ‘I Hate Myself’
We were all treated to a stellar setlist, mind-melting guitar solos and wonderful comedy. They are a genuine band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously but 100% know how to write and perform to an incredibly high calibre.
This was not just a gig, not just a concert but this was a show and a show that only The Darkness could pull off.
I am a self taught Photographer and an aspiring reviewer.
I have been in and out of bands for the past 15 years and some, so thought it only makes sense to stay in the scene that has been the most important aspect of my life since I can remember, live music.
Available for:
I am available for small gigs, larger concerts, recording sessions and festivals.
First attended gig:
The first proper gig that went to that I can actually remember was Muse supported by a then lesser known Elbow and I think the main reason I remember that is because it was the first big concert that I was allowed to go to with just my friends. Obviously Muse were fantastic by the way.
First gig shot:
Im pretty sure the first gig I shot was for a friends band at a local social club with some sort of £30 Argos camera. You can only imagine the fantastic quality of the shots.
Dream gig:
My dream gig to shoot would most definitely be either Tool, not just because they are amazing but their stage and lighting is magnificent. Or I would love to shoot another one of my favourite bands which is Explosions In The Sky and that’s just because they are incredible.
