On Thursday, September 12th, British rock legends The Darkness stormed into Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre for a night of unapologetic rock and roll. It had been since 2023 that locals last saw them, and the crowd’s excitement was electric from the moment the lights began to dim.
The Darkness wasted no time proving why they’re still one of the most entertaining live acts in the game. By “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” frontman Justin Hawkins took things to the next level, launching himself straight into the audience and belting out lyrics while crowd-surfing. From then on, it was pure chaos in the best way possible: their playing was razor sharp, and Hawkins’ falsetto was iconic as ever.
Soaring through fan-favourites like “Love Is Only a Feeling” and “Givin’ Up,” The Darkness went from shredding guitar solos to massive singalongs. Between songs, Hawkins kept the room laughing with his cheeky jokes. At one point, he mentioned Toronto’s unwavering support, saying: “At least Toronto’s sold out… we’ll always have Toronto!”
Finishing off with “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” followed by “I Hate Myself” for the encore, The Darkness delivered a set that was equally nostalgic as energetic. They may be decades into their career, but their musicianship, stage presence, and playful personalities prove they’re still at the top of their game.
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