The Darkness played their eagerly anticipated rescheduled gig on Monday evening at Manchester Apollo. Justin Hawkins back to his full mischievous, playful self after coming down with a throat infection.
There was no hint of any ailment tonight as he took to the stage in his trademark chest baring finest and kicked straight into ‘Rock and Roll Party Cowboy’. The whole band always put on an electrifying performance, but no one steals the show quite as well as Hawkins.
During songs he was doing handstands against the drum stage which I must admit was quite impressive, and a very high scissor kick during ‘Get Your Hands off My Woman’. Hawkins did stop for a breather between tracks two and three to apologise for the reschedule and also to thank fans for changing their plans. This was followed by a heartfelt acapella version of The Smith’s ‘I Know it’s Over’, a homage to Manchester and a rather touching and unexpected interlude.
Back to the chaos and the band continued their set with some fan favourites, nearly bringing that beautiful Apollo ceiling down (it’s seriously stunning, next time you’re there look up!) with ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’. That bass line whipping the crowd into a frenzy, before leaving the stage briefly before returning for a two track encore ‘Weekend in Rome’ and ‘I Hate Myself’.
If you have never seen the darkness live then I suggest you do, its classic and a little cliche but Hawkins keeps that traditional vibe alive, it is like going back to the 70’s (I can only imagine, being an 80’s kid) but it is pure entertainment, joyous even.
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