The Darkness does acrobatics around Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl

To the average person/casual music listener/”normie”, the name Justin Hawkins may mean absolutely nothing. But to the throngs of rabid rock ‘n roll fans that packed Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl this past Saturday night, Hawkins is treated with a reverence comparable only to that held by Millennial “Swifties”.

Perhaps we should begin referring to Darkness idolaters as “Hawkies”?

I must admit, this was my first time experiencing the phenomena that is The Darkness. My photographer on this excursion has been raving about them ever since her first time seeing them a few years back and I unexpectedly ran into more than a few friends from the Nashville and Louisville music scenes who moonlight as Darkness fanatics. 

In fact, The Darkness that tends to have the occasional spin of their “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” at a sports arena and through rapturous cult members aggressively spreading their rock ‘n roll gospel in between puffs and passes. You know, saying things to the effect of “Dude, I’m telling you dude, they were the best show I’ve ever seen, like ever, dude.”

So, I was excited to see what the fuss was all about. 

From the first note, it’s clear why this (seemingly) one-hit-wonder band from 2003 is still chugging along a quarter century later — still filling every room they play. Justin Hawkins is a consummate frontman, not just because half of his songs are about consummating — if you know what I mean. He and his merry bandmates know how to put on an unforgettable show. The 50-year-old frontman’s acrobatics put singers half his age to shame; the man didn’t miss a note. He commands the stage through every song, holding the attention of every single audience member humorously bantering between songs. 

Beyond this, Hawkins’ guitar chops are astonishingly good. I’ve heard about his legendary charisma, but was completely blown away by his virtuoso guitar solos. And the rest of the band is terrific. The drums are locked in, the bass is fat, and everyone seems to have their visual look down. It’s hard to not respect a band that has people of all ages — from 60-year-old men with beer guts to 9-year-old children (I spotted at least three) — in equal states of adulation. I regularly glanced up at the balcony with each song, checking if the tipsy blonde 30-somethings still knew every word. They did. To every song. The innocent look of glee on their faces was akin to the look of a child who just met Mickey Mouse for the first time… it was hard not to vicariously soak up some of that delight.

When I asked the name of some of my favorite songs from the set, my friends (for the most part) answered with “I dunno, I think it’s off the new record.”

What a sign that the band is still driving full speed ahead.

That said, I’m excited to give their latest record Dreams on Toast a listen. To be fair, this is not my usual cup of tea when it comes to rock ‘n roll. Some of the last few concerts I went to as just a fan were Pearl Jam, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and Queens of the Stone Age. So, 70s and 80s throwback glam isn’t exactly in my wheelhouse. But I need to emphasize just how great of a show The Darkness puts on, because I not only enjoyed the hell out of it, I look forward to seeing them again. Soon, hopefully. 

Photography by Anastasia Elliot; recap by Josh Loney

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