In Sayreville, New Jersey stands the Starland Ballroom, a historic venue capable of hosting 2,500 fans and home to live performances of many notable performers ranging from Metallica to the Wu Tang Clan. Saturday, October 21, 2023 saw The Darkness, a renowned British rock band, leave a lasting impression on New Jersey natives as to what a rock and roll show should look and feel like with, of course, a pizazz only Brits can deliver.
The Darkness is currently on a 20th anniversary tour for their debut album Permission to Land, with the Starland Ballroom being their second to last show on the United States leg of the tour. The band, comprised of singer Justin Hawkins, guitarist Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain, and drummer Rufus Taylor, performed the entirety of their debut album and a few b-side tunes, including “Curse of the Tullund Man” which is the b-side companion to “Love is Only a Feeling”, “How Dare You Call This Love” counterpart to “Growing on Me”, and “I Love You 5 Times” being the other side to Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End), a European Christmas edition bonus track.
The musical group launched the night with “Black Shuck”, the vibrant opener of the night, with lead singer Justin quickly pausing the song to check the crowd in a lighthearted manner into being present with the power of music. Soon after, Justin then unexpectedly proceeded to do a headstand on top of the drummers platform, essentially using his legs to guide the crowd into clapping along with him leaving the crowd in even higher spirits. Throughout the night the energy continued to rise, even when you thought you had reached the pinnacle with each passing song.
The performance consisted of electrifying musicianship from Dan, Frankie, and Rufus, all while interacting with a contagious love for one another through their music. The last song of their set was “I Believe In A Thing Called Love”, most notably a fan (and personal) favorite. The song has received various global accolades such as going Platinum in the United Kingdom and United States.
Ending the night on a high, the band exited the stage leaving the crowd wanting more as the contagious “encore, encore…” chant began. After a few moments the guys returned to the stage in fashionable silk robes, ditching the rock glam attire they’d worn for most of the night. Musicians Dan and Rufus, switched instruments, leaving Dan on drums and Rufus to play the guitar for “I Love You 5 Times”. A personal favorite anecdote as a lover of live music, is when musicians within a band have some fun and switch things up, giving the night more a “jam room” and intimate feel.
The official last song of the night, “Love On The Rocks With No Ice”, had the crowd roaring and chanting and even booing that the night was about to end. However, the bandmates took a few moments to engage with the crowd before their departure by signing pictures, throwing guitar picks and drum sticks, and even shaking a few hands. The Darkness left a lasting impression in the air of the Starland Ballroom, one to surely be thought of for years to come.