KRISSY COMER | Go Venue Magazine
Last night, Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Knitting Factory in Boise, Idaho everyone was sweaty from the very first opening band Mark Daly and had no voice left by the end of the night screaming and yelling for the main band, The Darkness.
The opening band was an Irish band called Mark Daly and they were the perfect fit. They were a blend of modern rock, hard rock and melodic rock. They took to the stage like they owned it and had been together 20 years. They had some glam rock to them just like The Darkness. I could have stood there photographing the whole performance over our 3 song allotment. They were the perfect “let’s get fired up” music. Their new single, “Crazy”, is streaming now. Oh they covered ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy). I love how different this rock version is, but I absolutely love it!
I must admit I don’t know much about The Darkness. But that is precisely why I chose to see them live and review them! I wanted to get out of my comfort zone of my typical 90s alternative and punk pop and let some glam rock into my life.
The Darkness are a UK rock band also mentioned as hard rock, glam rock, and glam metal. The lead singer mentions on their FB page that their “live performances have become legendary”. He also mentions that seeing them live “will make you shit your pants, in a good way” good thing i read this before the show so I could bring an extra pair of underwear in my camera bag.
Wow!! My first show blew my mind. I was out of breath just as a photographer. I wasn’t even fast enough to be one step ahead of them. I’m assuming they all do cardio workouts everyday cuz that was one for me. A member of the band would step forward then one would step back, then they would mix it up and go sideways. It was amazing AND impressive! Oh and the lead singer at one point hangs his hat on the microphone, goes to the step that’s for the drummer and proceeds to do a handstand for like a whole minute or two!!! That’s in between singing and cardio. I feel out of breath just telling you the story! The Darkness definitely leans into that over-the-top rock and roll attitude. Think big riffs, big falsettos, and a sense of humor about everything.
And Justin Hawkins (the lead singer) absolutely talks like that. He’s known for saying wild, funny, slightly outrageous things in interviews because that’s exactly the vibe of the band: massive energy, comedy, theatrics and ridiculous talent.
If he says you’ll “shit your pants when you see them live,” that’s basically his way of promising: insane vocals, guitar shredding, spandex, high kicks, loud, tight, old-school rock show energy. I didn’t shit my pants but you’ve been warned! Check out their new album, Dreams on Toast, it’s out now and it doesn’t disappoint! Better yet, see them live!
The Darkness
Mark Daly
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