Tag Archives: The Darkness

Gig review: GUNS N’ ROSES – British Summer Time, Hyde Park, 30 June 2023

Posted on July 5, 2023 by andynathan

The self proclaimed most dangerous band in the world are now comfortable enough elder statesmen to play the most mainstream of festivals, that back in the day they would either never have played, or the organisers probably wouldn’t have had … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Axl Rose, British Summer Time, BST, Dizzy Reed, Duff McKagan, festival, gig, glam rock, Guns 'N' Roses, Hyde Park, Larkin Poe, Richard Fortus, Slash, sleaze rock, The Darkness, The Pretenders | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK STONE CHERRY AND THE DARKNESS – Wembley Arena, London, 4 February 2023

Posted on February 8, 2023 by andynathan

When this joint headline arena tour was announced, my first thoughts were that Black Stone Cherry and The Darkness were not natural bedfellows- the earnest blue collar southern rockers from Kentucky and the eccentric English band from East Anglia who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Ben Wells, Black Stone Cherry, Chris Robertson, Dan Hawkins, Danko Jones, Frankie Poullain, gig, John Fred Young, Justin Hawkins, southern rock, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Feature: GRTR!@20 – The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – THE DARKNESS (January 2023)

Posted on January 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

The band that put the fun back into rock… Photo: Darren Griffiths Launching our anniversary series in January 2023, a band whose rise we followed from 2003 when they released their debut album ‘Permission To Land’. A year later the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness | Tagged album, classic rock, festival, gig, glam rock, hard rock, interview, Justin Hawkins, review, The Darkness | Leave a comment

News: Get Ready to ROCK! announces first band in the Grotto of Greatness (December 2022)

Posted on December 18, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Rock website Get Ready to ROCK! has announced the first band to be inducted in its “GRTR! Grotto of Greatness”. The website’s version of the “Hall of Fame” is part of its 20th anniversary celebrations in 2023. A different artist/band … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Anniversary 2003-2023, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged classic rock, Grotto of Greatness, Hall of Fame, Justin Hawkins, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Gig review: CORNBURY Music Festival – The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 8-10 July 2022

Posted on July 9, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Friday 8 July So good to be back at Cornbury as it has been three long years since the last one. Sadly this year’s is billed as the Last Hurrah, although the organiser Hugh has said that before… Tears in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged classic rock, Cornbury, country pop, Daylight Robbery, festival, gig, July 2022, Magic Numbers, review, Steve Overland, Steve Winwood, Stone Foundation, the Christians, The Darkness, The Shires | Leave a comment

Gig review: DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL, Donington Park, Leicestershire, 10-12 June 2022

Posted on June 24, 2022 by andynathan

A year ago a special pilot event at Download pointed the way for live music to return: now in 2022 the UK’s biggest rock and metal festival was back in a recognisable format. It was the biggest sign yet that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged AIRBOURNE, Dirty Honey, Donington, Download, festival, gig, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Kris Barras Band, Legacy of the Beast, Massive Wagons, metal, Monster Truck, Myles Kennedy, powerwolf, Shinedown, Tempt, The Darkness, Theory, Those Damn Crows, Tremonti, VOLBEAT, Wayward Sons | Leave a comment

News: CORNBURY FESTIVAL 8-10 July, 2022

Posted on May 25, 2022 by jason

To celebrate, the majority of acts on the 2022 bill are returning festival favourites. Joining the heavy weight line up of headliners James Blunt & The Darkness (Friday), Bryan Adams & The Waterboys (Saturday), Ronan Keating & Jools Holland (Sunday) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars, NEWS | Tagged 8-10 July 2022, Altered Images, Bryan Adams, Cornbury Festival, Great Tew Park, Hugh Phillimore, interview, James Blunt, Jools Holland, Mica Paris, near Chipping Norton, news, Ronan Keating, Steve Winwood, the Christians, The Darkness, The Magic Numbers, The Waterboys | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DARKNESS – 02 Academy, Bristol, Tuesday 7 December 2021

Posted on December 20, 2021 by jason

Never have I seen a queue so big so early at the 02 Academy in Bristol, particularly on a school night – and this had nothing to do with the time taken to show covid status and get in, which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 02 Academy, Bristol, classic rock, gig, Massive Wagons, NWOCR, review, rock, The Darkness, Tuesday 7 December 2021 | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DARKNESS – Reading Hexagon, 26 November 2021

Posted on November 30, 2021 by andynathan

Never mind the hysteria that surrounded them in the early 2000’s, proof of how quickly time marches lies in the fact that it now a full ten years since the Darkness triumphantly reformed at Download. Since then they have surprised … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, gig, Justin Hawkins, Massive Wagons, Rufus Taylor, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DARKNESS – Easter Is Cancelled

Posted on October 17, 2019 by jason

Cooking Vinyl [Release date 04.10.19] Album number six from the Darkness, with an album cover that will certainly cause some comment, although the band have always liked to push the boundaries. It also marks one of their heaviest albums overall, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Dan Hawkins, Justin Hawkins, melodic, Queen, review, rock, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Gig review: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Mote Park, Maidstone – Day 1 – 19 July 2019

Posted on August 2, 2019 by david.wilson

Once again the rock hordes decended on Mote Park in Maidstone for another weekend of rock, blues, good beer and good company. GRTR! despatched Andy Nathan and Dave Atkinson to cover all the action, come rain or shine… Andy Nathan … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 19th July 2019, AC/DC, AOR, blues, FM, Ginger Wildheart, Justin Hawkins, Kris Barras Band, live, Maidstone, metal, Mote Park, Ramblin' Man, Ramblin' Man Fair, rock, Steve Overland, The Darkness, The Lazys, the Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOTO – Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, 13 June 2019

Posted on June 19, 2019 by andynathan

In the ever more crowded gigging season, a fresh trend over the last few years has been for London’s finest historic settings to be used for concerts. Following in the footsteps of Hampton Court and Greenwich is now a short … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, gig, Joseph Williams, Justin Hawkins, live at Chelsea, melodic rock, review, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, The Darkness, Toto, Warren Ham | Leave a comment

News: RAMBLIN’ MAN FAIR – Cheap Trick added to Saturday line-up (19-21 July 2019)

Posted on January 17, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

FOREIGNER - Manchester Apollo, 12 May 2018

In this festival preview, tracks from Foreigner, Austin Gold and Elles Bailey. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 21 April 2019 (13:03) Ramblin’ Man Fair have announced their Saturday main stage headliners at this year’s event (19-21 July … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged Black Stone Cherry, blues, classic rock, country, festival, Foreigner, July 2019, Maidstone, Mote Park, Progressive Rock, Ramblin' Man Fair, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Album review: AYREON – The Source

Posted on April 26, 2017 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 28.04.17] It’s 12 years since Ayreon’s first album ‘The Final Experiment’ and the key elements of a conceptual sci-fi story with prog rock underpinnings remain at the heart of the new album ‘The Source.’ It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Ben Mathot, blues, David Bowie, Floor Jansen, Frank Zappa, funk, Guthrie Gavan, James LaBrie, Jeroen Goossens, Jethro Tull, Martin Barre, metal, Michael Eriksen, Mike Mills, Nils K. Rue, Paul Gilbert, Pink Floyd, prog, Queen, review, Russell Allen, Simone Simons, The Darkness, the Source, Todd Rundgren, Tommy Karevik, Tommy Rogers, Trace, Utopia, Yann Souetre, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: WEYFEST- Rural Life Centre, Tilford, Surrey, 19-21 August 2016

Posted on August 30, 2016 by andynathan

Weyfest celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Rural Life Centre, a rustic setting that suits its ambience as one of the more laid back of festivals. Situated on the Surrey/Hampshire borders in what was once known as the stockbroker belt, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Manners, Big Country, Boomtown Rats, Broken Witt Rebels, festival, From The Jam, gig, Jackie Lynton, Jo Harman, John Otway, Rebecca Downes, Slim Chance, The Beat, The Darkness, The Wurzels, Weyfest, Wildflowers, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL – Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 24 July 2016 (Day 2)

Posted on August 1, 2016 by GRTR! HQ

The Darkness - STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL - Ebbw Vale, South Wales, 24 July 2016

After the success of the previous day and coupled with great weather, arriving on site on the Sunday morning to damp and drizzly conditions soon brought us back down to earth with a bump. Sunday’s line up for myself was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 24 July 2016, Brian Tichy, Doug Aldrich, Ebbw Vale, festival, gig, hard rock, Marco Mendoza, review, rock, South Wales, Steelhouse Festival, Terrorvision, The Darkness, The Dead Daisies, Toseland | Leave a comment

Gig review: STONE FREE FESTIVAL Day 1 – 02 Arena, London, 18 June 2016

Posted on June 21, 2016 by andynathan

Alice Cooper - STONE FREE FESTIVAL DAY 1 - 02 Arena, London, 18 June 2016

Once upon a time, gigs took place indoors, or in football stadiums for the very largest acts, and festivals in a muddy field. While rock festival demographics have gradually got older, the havoc wreaked by the vagaries of the English … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Alice Cooper, Apocalyptica, Blackberry Smoke, blues rock, festival, gig, glam, Jackaman, Jared James Nichols, Michael Monroe, review, rock, southern rock, Stone Free, The Darkness, THERAPY? | Leave a comment

Gig review: PLANET ROCKSTOCK – Trecco Bay, South Wales, 4-6 December 2015

Posted on December 12, 2015 by GRTR! HQ

FM - Planet Rockstock - Trecco Bay, South Wales, 4 December 2015

Friday 4 December This is the third year for the Planet Rock annual festival and the second year at Porthcawl. I thought last year’s line-up would take some beating and, although thinking 2015 was a weak bill by comparison, I … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 4-6 December 2015, blues, Buffalo Summer, Crobot, Dan Patlansky, Danko Jones, festival, FM, Fozzy, gig, Heavens Basement, Inglorious, Planet Rockstock, review, Rival Sons, rock, Scorpion Child, South Wales, The Darkness, The Dead Daisies, Trecco Bay | Leave a comment

News: THE DARKNESS, LEMMY, TRIXTER – Sunday 26 April 2015

Posted on April 26, 2015 by jason

Motorhead - Manchester Apollo, 4 November 2014

The Darkness drummer Emily Dolan Davies has left the band, after only joining the band in March. Iron Savior release ‘Live At The Final Frontier’ in June on AFM Records. Soulfly release their new album ‘Archangel’ in August on Nuclear … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Band Entrees & Exits, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Re-issues/special editions | Tagged Aviary, classic, Lemmy, metal, Motorhead, news, rock, The Darkness, Trixter, upcoming albums | Leave a comment

News: THE DARKNESS, KROKUS, ROGER HODGSON – Tuesday 24 February 2015

Posted on February 24, 2015 by jason

The Darkness, Hammersmith Apollo, 7 March 2013

The Darkness release their new album ‘Last Of Our Breed’ on June 1st. KROKUS April 18-22 Miami, FL — Monsters of Rock Cruise April 24 Houston, TX — Concert Pub North April 25 San Antonio, TX — 210 Kapone’s April … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged album, classic, Coal Chamber, gigs, Hammer Fall, KROKUS, metal, news, rock, Roger Hodgson, The Darkness, Tour | Leave a comment

Album review: THE TOI – Water Into Wine

Posted on January 2, 2015 by jason

Sushi Roll [Released 02.03.15] Glaswegian three piece rock band the Toi consist of Pol Healy (vocals/guitar), Andy Carr (bass/guitar/vocals) and Stevie Mclay (drums/vocals). They also have Dan Hawkins of the Darkness involved in helping out on the arrangements along with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dan Hawkins, debut, review, rock, The Darkness, the Toi, Water Into Wine | Leave a comment

Album review: SPACE ELEVATOR – S/t plus interview with the Duchess

Posted on January 7, 2014 by jason

DY Music www.spaceelevatoronline.com [Released March 2014] Debut album by a band formed by guitarist David Young, who plays in the West End musical ‘We Will Rock You’ house band along with female vocalist called the Duchess. The band is completed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Dr Who, DY Music, Fleetwood Mac, Gallifrey, Neil Murray, pomp rock, Queen, SPACE ELEVATOR, The Darkness, the Duchess, We Will Rock You | 1 Comment

Gig Review: THE DARKNESS – Hammersmith Apollo, 7 March 2013

Posted on March 19, 2013 by andynathan

Two years into their reformation and on the back of a comeback album ‘Hot Cakes’ that is perhaps their most satisfying work yet, perhaps time has lent some perspective to the Darkness phenomenon. A decade ago they divided opinion like … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Dan Hawkins, Ed Graham, Frankie Poullain, Hammersmith Apollo, Hot Cakes, Justin Hawkins, Permission to Land, The Darkness | Leave a comment

Rising Stars – GENE THE WEREWOLF

Posted on November 21, 2012 by jason

Gene the Werewolf have just released their debut album ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Animal’ on Frontiers. It is a perfect album if you love bands like Kiss, the Darkness and Van Halen… What are you currently up to? As odd as … Continue reading →

Posted in INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged Frontiers, Gene The Werewolf, Kiss, Rock n’ Roll Animal, The Darkness, Van Halen | Leave a comment

Voodoo Vegas start recording their debut album in July

Posted on April 16, 2012 by jason

Voodoo Vegas announce producer for debut album and hit Pledge Music campaign target in 24 hours. Voodoo Vegas have announced that they will be recording their debut album this coming July with producer Pedro Ferreira (The Darkness, Toyko Dragons, Enter … Continue reading →