The Darkness was “Shitting Solid Gold” kicking off their “Tour De Prance” tour at The Fonda Theatre Thursday, March 29 in Los Angeles, California.
Opening the North America tour in grandly fashion, a sold-out night supporting their recent release Pinewood Smile. I had been introduced to these English rockers two years ago, covering their show in support of their fourth album release Last of Our Kind at the historic Belasco Theatre.
Flamboyant, energetic, acrobatic, headstands, contortionist, comedian the list could go on; frontman/guitarist Justin Hawkins is impressive, wearing a leopard print jumpsuit plus he plays a gorgeous white Gibson Les Paul, that in itself will get my attention. A couple changes since the last time I saw him: hair is longer and his braces are off, as he flashes his Pinewood Smile. Bassist Frankie Poullain didn’t disappoint – wearing a silky mustard color suit, seventies style. Guitarist Dan Hawkins was sporting a black track warm-up jacket Holding all this together is the timekeeper, behind the kit Rufus Tiger Taylor.
I am photographing from the balcony, perfect view of the sold-out crowd below, as The Darkness opens the show with Open Fire from the album Last of Our Kind, following with Love Is Only a Feeling from Permission to Land and rounding out the first three songs with Southern Trains from the recent release Pinewood Smile. This is all it took for the crowd surfing, moshing, dancing to begin. They love their Darkness!
The primary focus is on frontman Justin Hawkins he is very entertaining always engaging the audience, guiding them through a D-A-R-K-N-E-S-S chant, then midway through the set a wardrobe change was in order as he asked a few fans for articles of clothing, a red/black checkered flannel jacket, a baseball cap and a pair of glasses, pulling his hair through the back of the hat, stating “this is what he looked like in school”, even performing a headstand on the drum riser clapping with his feet.
Letting the fans in on a little secret that he had a special announcement …. in just a moment. The anticipation built, stating that tonight’s show was being recorded for a “Live Album.” The cheers rang through the halls.
The 15-song set primarily focused on their debut album Permission to Land, adding songs from their recent release Pinewood Smile. After a little break the Hawkins brothers, Poullian and Taylor re-enter the stage. With Hawkins shirtless and almost pant-less, wearing light blue tennis shorts, The Darkeness ended the show with Japanese Prisoner of Love off Pinewood Smile, and I Believe in a Thing Called Love off Permission to Land . Fans sang along as the band all joined on the drum riser jumping off on the last note.
The Darkness kicked off their “Tour De Prance” North American Tour March 29 with the final show May 2, in Dallas, Texas. Go see them – you won’t be disappointed!
Connect with The Darkness online: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram
Remaining tour dates:
April 6 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
April 7 — Englewood, CO — Gothic Theatre
April 8 — Kansas City, MO — The Truman
April 10 — Milwaukee, WI — Turner Hall Ballroom
April 11 — Chicago, IL — Park West
April 13 — Detroit, MI — Majestic Theatre
April 14 — Cleveland, OH — Agora Ballroom
April 15 — Toronto, ON — The Phoenix Concert Theatre
April 17 — Montreal, QC — Corona Theatre
April 18 — Philadelphia, PA — The Trocadero Theatre
April 20 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Steel
April 21 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
April 22 — Boston, MA — Royale
April 24 — Baltimore, MD — Rams Head Live!
April 25 — Norfolk, VA — The NorVa
April 27 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground
April 28 — Atlanta, GA — Terminal West
April 30 — New Orleans, LA — Civic Theatre
May 1 — Austin, TX — Emo’s
May 2 — Dallas, TX — South Side Music Hall
All photos by Tammy Greene
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