Concert Review: The Darkness Lights Up Royale

BOSTON, MA — You can dismiss the Darkness as nothing more than a novelty band or a comedy group, but to do so would a disservice to anyone who actually likes to go to a concert and have a laugh or two with their music.

The British rock band thoroughly entertained a packed Royale Sunday night with their signature mix of vintage-styled rock music and comedy. Fifteen years after "I Believe In a Thing Called Love," lead singer Justin Hawkins remains the formidable performer. Switching between rock start and comedian, the voice of the band enjoyed bantering with the crowd as much as performing, at one point asking for a fan's yellow beret and another fan's headband and tank top. It all cases, the clothing found a way to the stage. Likewise, the crowd enjoyed their interaction with Hawkins.

Dressed like he belong in a late 70s glam rock band, the band powered through 18 songs across two hours. Naturally, half the set focused on their songs from "Permission to Land," their first and most successful album stateside, but the crowd also enjoyed tracks from later albums like "One Way Ticket" and "Buccaneers of Hispaniola"

The charm of the band is still in their refusal to take themselves seriously. Hard rocking was often followed by jokes about the photographer or their sound person. At one point after "Get Your Hands Off My Woman," Hawkins led the crowd to clap by doing a handstand and clicking his heels together. Antis like this is also helped by the fact that they're in a club where you can interact with everyone at the show rather that a large stadium show.

During the encore, with a warning of two songs remaining, the band teased everyone with a boardering on bluegrass rendition of "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" before going to the proper version. The final song saw the Darkness take more time to fool around, teasing that they ere going to cover "Sweet Child O Mine" or "Dead of Alive," with the night ending on "Love on the Rocks With No Ice" and Hawkins being carried through the crowd while playing guitar.

If you haven't thought about the Darkness for awhile, their newest album, Pinewood Smile, was released in October so now might be a good time to give them another listen or see one of their shows. You'll enjoy the music have a giant grin on your face from start to finish.

Diarrhea Planet provided opening support.

Image Credit: Dan Libon