Review of The Darkness at The Olympia Theatre on December 3rd 2011
Review: Aidan Cuffe
Photos: Kieran Frost
The return of glam rock, the revival of a career, the resumption of a band whom perhaps should never have broken up, but succumbed to rock and roll lifestyle, and through musical differences and drugs ceased to exist. That is all in the past, Frankie is back on bass, Justin and Dan have settled differences and all members seem to have grown up over the past 5 years.
Dead Cat Bounce opened the show and though I only caught the end it seems they went down a treat, that’s no shock having caught the lads earlier this year and they impressed greatly. Swapping stage for a box to catch the headliners do their thing, it was time for The Darkness’s long-awaited return to Dublin.
Coming on stage to a deafening roar from a jam packed Olympia Theatre, Justin sporting the dodgiest of moustache and goatee beard combinations. The band all styled rather 80s than glam rock lycra cat suits, perhaps in an attempt to be taken more seriously however any fans of The Darkness will always have had a soft spot for the Blades of Glory-esque outfits. Opening with Black Shuck and Growing On Me show us they are back with a bang and have lost none of their raw rock n roll presence despite the lengthy time off.
B-side Best Of Me goes down a treat as Justin and Dan hit their stride, showboating on guitar, over the head riffs and running hi-fives proving they really are back as a unit. Frankie treats the crowd to some cowbell for the title track from their second album One Way Ticket To Hell and Back where in an impressive feat Justin takes a plec (which happened to be golden by the way) drops it onto his heel and flicks it back up, catches it and continues playing all in one smooth movement.
The crowd are in full voice for Get Your Hands Of My Woman, the song finishing with a round of Ole’s Ole Ole’s from the crowd with Dan providing a rock backing riff not dissimilar to that of ‘Put Em Under Pressure’. Picking up an Irish flag and draping it around himself referring to it as a magical cape, he played an acoustic Holding My Own before the band rejoin for one of the highlights of the night in Love Is Only A Feeling.
Dan and Frankie riffed for a bit while Justin went off stage only to return in the rather familiar cat suit. We were now all back in 2000 enjoying the fun loving Darkness of old as songs like Is It Just Me, Giving Up and Stuck In A Rut all pushed speakers to the max. The Darkness were turned up to 11 and rocking the Olympia from head to toe. It’s December and Christmas is approaching fast and it would have been remiss of them to leave without playing Christmas Time (don’t let the bells end) which went down an absolute treat.
Heading off stage as the crowd sing ole’s in full voice, this rock show just wasn’t ready for bed just yet. Justin returning to the stage in a hedgehog cat suits as they play an instrumental number before rocking out I Believe In A Thing Called Love which got the balcony on their feet and the pit bouncing. Justin now sporting a santa hat announces that we need not fear, The Darkness will be bringing out a new album next year and will be back to promote that next year so to expect their return, and tell your friends.
There was to be one more treat for us all in the form of Love On The Rock with Justin doing a funny falsetto sing and response with the crowd before finishing the show with a crane (from Karate Kid) kick and final strum bringing the show to an emphatic and impressive close.
The Darkness truly are back, they seem to be laughing at their old costumes, taking themselves seriously and attempting to put themselves back on the rock and roll map permanently. Perhaps this more serious approach can win over some of their detractors because truly they are a unique rock act and can write a rocking tune. All I know is my ears are ringing from one of the best rock shows I’ve seen this year.
Photos: Kieran Frost
