The Darkness

Spandex for Breakfast

10 in the morning may not be the most likely time for spandex and a stomping glam set, but The Darkness provide the perfect pre-breakfast rock. Managing a self-indulgent guitar sound with self-depreciating humour, mass bravado is the call of the day.

It’s a relief though as they firmly shrug off the possible ‘comedy’ band labelling as the tunes are belted out. The splendidly titled Love On The Rocks (With No Ice) and Take Your Hands Off Of My Woman perfect the stadium guitar wielding showmanship. A cover of Street Spirit - introduced by front man Justin Hawkins as by ‘The Radioheads’ - reiterates their tongue-in-cheek gustiness.

To a lesser band, taking on such a feat would end only with a one-way ticket over the Glastonbury fence. Yet so amazing is the falsetto, and so ballsy the performance, it’s their crowning glory. Pardon me, but do I see a smile on Thom Yorke’s face?

Gemma Curtis

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