The Darkness In Vancouver

The Darkness In Vancouver, Or As I Call It: The Show of The Year

To put it in simple terms, The Darkness In Vancouver was one of the most sincerely memorable shows of the year. However, to only say that would be a disservice to one of rock’s most extraordinary bands of the century. The Brits performed at what lead singer and songwriter Justin Hawkins described as “his favourite venue to perform in Vancouver,” the Commodore Ballroom. The iconic venue has played host to some of the most notable performances this year, from an intimate night with Jack White all the way to Rage’s Tom Morello. While those sold-out nights are remembered by many. The Darkness’ sold-out show was something else. From the grand rock and glam to the impactful crowd energy, it was a night that, even a day later, refuses to erase itself from my mind.

The glam rockers took to the Commodore stage on behalf of the release of their eighth studio album, Dreams on Toast. A title that cheekily plays on the iconic British staple Beans on Toast. With that style of humour, you know there are going to be layers to the band’s personality, and it shows in multiple ways. Firstly, an ongoing joke is that this is one of the best bands born too late. Their conception stems from the early 00’s, but their sound lives in the 70’s. The band’s first album, Permission To Land. Feels straight from the era of Queen, Bowie, and The Who. I’ll put it like this: if you were to create a playlist from that era and mix in tracks like “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” or “Friday Night”. You wouldn’t be able to pin them as being from a different time. It adds a layer of authenticity, and speaking of Queen. The Darkness is so entrenched in that era, they even enlisted the son of Queen’s Roger Taylor, Rufus “Tiger” Taylor. There are so many layers to this band, and I can’t help but say I love it.

Mark Daly & The Fans

Prior to doors opening, I knew the night was in for a treat. Even in the cold seven degree Vancouver weather, fans lined around the block. I’m pretty sure the ample excitement and adrenaline were enough to keep the heat and blood flowing. By the time the doors opened, fans breathed a sigh of relief. We were finally close to the start of the night with Ireland’s Mark Daly. Looking around the Commodore grounds, the room was already nearing max capacity. Which even for a show this size, felt surprising. However, once Daly hit the floor, things clued in pretty quickly.

The Irish rocker had Vancouver moving every limb as he tore up the ballroom. Eight tracks and I found myself stunned by the level of artistry on stage. Tracks like “Superhero” and “Crazy” pulled the crowd in fast. At one point, a fan hurled his half-full beer into the air and committed to the moment, acting exactly as the song instructed… crazy. Mid-set, Daly levelled with the room to share this was his first time performing in Vancouver. The admission lit up the crowd. Some even joked he might be the luckiest artist, getting the Commodore as his introduction to the city. He took it all in, thanking the early arrivals and admitting that back home, showing up for an opener was practically unheard of. By the time “I Wanna Be More” closed out his set, Daly stood at the edge of the stage soaking in the sold-out room. Vancouver gave it right back. Roaring their thanks for a performance packed with energy and heart. It’s a set many will be holding onto for years.

We Believe In A Thing Called Love

The Darkness In Vancouver began shrouded in mystery. Fog filled the stage, and silhouettes of members stood with their backs facing the audience. A crescendo of sound rose until the kick of Rufus’s bass drove in “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy”. From that moment, the next nearly two hours were a non-stop ride. Justin, Rufus, Dan (Hawkins), and Frankie (Poullain) gave fans their all. From the get-go, fans were ready to catch whatever came their way. From dance choreography to singing and even jumping until the floor nearly gave out. It was the fans who wanted The Darkness to remember this night.

The Darkness In Vancouver delivered a powerhouse set of twenty-four tracks. Covering their greatest hits while paying tribute to classic Canadian songs. Fans sang along to new tracks “I Hate Myself,” “The Longest Kiss,” and “Walking Through Fire” as if they were timeless anthems. Despite some tracks being from the recently released Dreams on Toast, which has already spread like wildfire through the Vancouver community. Early hits like “Givin’ Up,” “Love Is Only a Feeling,” and the iconic “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” were given their full moment. During Love, Justin asked the crowd to put down their phones and fully live in it. Vancouver responded enthusiastically, soaking in every note of the performance. The high energy didn’t let up during the covers. Justin delivered jaw-dropping vocals on Celine Dion’s “The Power of Love”. Giving the Canadian queen her well-deserved flowers. The encore erupted into a full-venue singalong with Bryan Adams’ classic “Summer of ‘69”. With every voice in the house joining in. The band also treated the crowd to snippets of the festive “Christmas Time” and Zeppelin’s iconic “Immigrant Song,” ensuring that every moment of the night was unforgettable.

In Closing

What a night. I can’t remember a time I was left in such a speechless state from a show, that I can’t stop talking about to my peers. As an avid listener of The Darkness since the Permission days. I can confidently say that watching one of the best to ever do it live was an absolute honour. The visceral, in your face energy is the driving force behind why I love concerts.

The Darkness In Vancouver made it very clear very quickly that performing is what they love. Watching Justin and Dan’s faces as the crowd took over the lyrics with just the point of a finger was genuinely mesmerizing. From kicking guitar picks to jumping to the front barrier to show a little guitar skill, every moment made the night even more special for fans. The Darkness In Vancouver will not soon, or possibly ever, be forgotten. It was a night that continues to ruminate in my head and one that already has me counting down until the next performance of The Darkness In Vancouver.

Thank You

From the perspective of a concert photographer, there was a moment when the band thanked us photographers as we left the photo pit. It’s something that rarely, or actually never, happens. I was already grateful to the band for allowing me to experience this show, but that gesture was showmanship on another level. So thank you Justin, Dan, Rufus, and Frankie. You put on one of the best shows I have had the pleasure to witness, and I hope we get to do it all over again. If you’d like to find out more on the band, please visit here: The Darkness Website