The Darkness Bring Musical Mirth to The Lincoln Theatre – 9/7/25

September 10, 2025

David LaMason

If there was a band that embodied the spirit of rock and roll it would be – without a moment’s hesitation – The Darkness. The British band of Justin Hawkins (singer/guitarist), Dan Hawkins (guitar), Frankie Poullain (bass), and drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor formed 25 years ago and has just released their eighth studio album this year.

The new album, Dreams On Toast, is an unabashed rock album that showcases the fun and humor of the band. From self-depricating songs like “I Hate Myself” with clever lines like “I have myself, so you don’t have to” or the travails of growing older in “Mortal Dread” (“I wake up in a middle-aged body / To the toilet I must get”) singer Justin Hawkins and company never take themselves too seriously. What would be the fun of that? Life is short enough as it is.

After a celebrated tour in support of their debut, Permission To Land, a couple of years back, The Darkness returned to DC Sunday night – this time to a packed Lincoln Theatre – with a performance that grabbed you by the seat of your pants and didn’t let go until you realized, with disbelief, that it was over.

Kicking things off was Irish rocker Mark Daly and his band The Ravens who came in like a hurricane as the theater, which was quickly filling up, took notice and stood up, cheering them on.

Hearing that extended Abba instrumental “The Arrival” is always a thrill as the band rushed onto the stage and this time lead with the perfect embodiment of having a good time, “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy” from the new record.

A Darkness show is like the best anti-depressant. In the midst of the crowd, hearing those new songs I couldn’t help but think that even if you aren’t in the mood for going out, once you are there it’s hard to think of a better place to be.

Singer and guitar maestro Justin Hawkins was the charismatic MC for the evening, making it clear that he and the band wanted to make sure you were having fun. Other bands may ask the requisite “Are you having a good time?” but Hawkins and company take it that one (or dozen) steps further and get you engaged in the conversation.

After a few songs, including a couple from their debut, Permission to Land, Justin Hawkins playfully started on the classic “Crimson and Clover” before abandoning it and launching into one of my favorites from the Dreams On Toast, “Walking Through Fire” with probably the best opening of a rock song, “Next long player / It’s coming out soon / I’ll be honest / I’m under the moon/We’re only doing this ’cause it’s fun/Don’t even think my mum bought the last one” before acknowledging that, as we all, “can’t help falling in love with rock ‘n’ roll.”

In between rocking out, there were some genuinely funny moments as a fan provided Hawkins with a very nice drawing of his Hawkins’ performance on The Masked Singer; Hawkins standing atop a speaker to regale the audience with fabricated stories of the old theatre; and later masterfully calming a perceived front row skirmish before resuming the set.

For “My Only,” drummer Rufus Taylor came out to the front of the stage to switch roles, singing the new track from Dreams On Toast. But that was far from the only surprise as the band played some impromptu Aerosmith with bits of “Angel” and “Sweet Emotion” and even some Queen – whose influence is certainly felt in The Darkness’ catalog, especially the new record – with “Fat Bottomed Girls.”

Catch the Official Visualizer for “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy” by The Darkness

Fittingly The Darkness capped off their regular set with their signature hit, “I Believe In a Thing Called Love” before returning to the stage for two newer tunes, “Weekend In Rome” and “I Hate Myself.”

The Darkness really are one of the greatest rock bands and to have the opportunity to catch them live is a must. The band continue their tour of the US through the Fall.

The setlist included:

Rock and Roll Party Cowboy
Growing on Me
Get Your Hands Off My Woman
Mortal Dread
Motorheart
Crimson & Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover) (snippet)
Walking Through Fire
Barbarian
Love Is Only a Feeling
Givin’ Up
My Only (Rufus singing)
Heart Explodes
Angel (Aerosmith cover) (snippet)
Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith cover)
The Longest Kiss
Friday Night
Fat Bottomed Girls (Queen cover)
Japanese Prisoner of Love
I Believe in a Thing Called Love