The Darkness live at Bristol Beacon on 14.12.2023 with Bad Nerves supporting
Bristol Beacon
My first encounter with The Darkness was at the suggestion of gig buddy Dave here at what was The Colston Hall in Bristol, six years ago to the day. Not long after, the venue shut, from 2018 to 2023 for a major refurb, dumping the Colston name, as the statue of the said slave trader was in the harbour, in favour of the new bland but inoffensive ‘Bristol Beacon’. The building was apparently on the site of a school named after Colston with no other connection.
Five years and a huge investment and it all looks very tidy, though the basic shape of the venue is the same, with a good selection of seats at the rear of the ground floor, balconies above and small side balconies on two levels which give a great view, above the standing crowd tonight. Capacity is 2100 or 1800 if all seated. This is a great facility to have back in the city, although it is a fair old drive for me, especially when returning home to Poole afterwards amid late night surprise road closures and winding cross country routes.
Previous Darkness
This return to see The Darkness came about after I stumbled on a showing at Wimborne Tivoli, for one night only, of the fascinating documentary film, ‘Welcome to The Darkness’. It really made me want to see them live again – we could have easily lost them – and a late surprise was that my gig buddy had a spare ticket for Bristol the following week. I recommend the film to get an insight into this talented, fun and often misunderstood band, particularly in light of their media image in their initial burst of success. After a year without Justin and Dan Hawkins speaking and a few health scares for the brothers, The Darkness may well have been history by now.
I did see them live in the interim in a few ‘special guest’ appearances: supporting The Hollywood Vampires in Birmingham in 2018 and at the Royal Chelsea Barracks outside in the pouring rain, supporting Toto.
All have been as rock’n’roll, glam, good humoured and entertaining as you could wish for – Justin Hawkins is such a showman, and a beautifully blunt and sweary one.
We were in for part of the soundcheck tonight and a Q&A session. Justin was annoying the band with his mini-keyboard. There was a lucky dip for someone to sing a song with the band… did we have to put in for this? The moment of fear passed and a women’s name was pulled out. She did a brilliant job. What a treat.
Tonight’s Support
Once I knew I was coming this evening, it only got better when I realised who was supporting: modern day Ramones style punks Bad Nerves. A new band that have had some good support slots across Europe and America but not toured at home that much – there’s a great first album and a live one which I have and I did catch them at a little place in Southampton, Heartbreakers (My Bad Nerves blog from Southampton.)
Great bonus to see them tonight – the audience warmed up as they continued. With the over stage view I grabbed a video of this one with a novel opening: Mad Mind. I love the poses; the guitars are especially Ramonesesque. Baby Drummer is my favourite – an established top tune of theirs.
As soon as they finish, I want to see them again. They offer the excitement generated by youth.
The Darkness tonight
Before the first song, Black Shuck, finishes frontman Justin Hawkins pulls up and the band clatter to a halt as humorously sweary scorn is unleashed on the odd phone wavers down the front. I slip mine sheepishly into my pocket. He’s got a point. He’s calling the shots but I enjoy taking a few pics, blogging and an occasional video. I don’t overdo it – we’re getting a bit of a balconywankers tag without adding to it.
Not long before chests are revealed, allowing Justin to squeeze on a top from the local athletic club where they formed the band.
Brother Dan creates a wall of guitar sound for Justin to overlay his melodies on, while bass and drums thunder away.
This is a celebration of the 2003 Permission to Land album – their successful debut from 20 years ago. Aside from a Radiohead cover (Sweet Spirit) and some B-sides of the time it is pretty much a full salute to that classic first album, Permission to Land. Get Your Hands Off My Woman, early in the set and later gems like Friday Night and, of course, I Believe In A Thing Called Love. That one got to number 2 the UK chart and was a global smash.
The band get down to shorts and slippers – Justin playing the guitar backwards above his head, reversing hands and going walkabout through the crowd on drummer Rufus Taylor’s (Son of Roger Taylor in Queen) shoulders. What a showman. He orchestrates the crowd clapping and leans over the adoring fans as he sings, leaps and plays guitar.
The festive special, Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End), is greeted with cheer…and pyrotechnics. A Christmas treat.
The encores to finish – I Love You Five Times and Love on the Rocks With No Ice. Classic rock’n’roll. Don’t let these boys end.
Gigs with Ivan 