The Darkness brought rock n’ roll nostalgia to Brooklyn Steel on April 20th in support of their latest release Pinewood Smile. Released on October 6th, 2017 via Cooking Vinyl, the album is released 15 years after their debut Permission to Land. The nearly sold-out crowd at Brooklyn Steel is a testament to the rockers strong trajectory.
Their set was the ultimate throwback to the glam era with a modern edge; lead singer Justin Hawkins’ vocal range never fails to impress during live shows and his charisma is the band’s soul. Hawkins expressed his excitement to be in Brooklyn because as he shared, it was his first time in town. Not only was he happy to be in town but he spread his happiness to the crowd and photographers, whom he asked to stay for a fourth song (as opposed to the standard three song rule).
Playing songs like “Love Is Only a Feeling”, “One Way Ticket”, and “Friday Night” had the audience in a trance, immersed in a nostalgic feeling that both captures the essence of the 80s and serves as a throwback to their childhood in the early-mid 2000s. Hawkins surprised the audience when he mounted a security guard who walked him through the audience on the ground floor as he played an impressive solo for the bands encore of “Love on the Rocks With No Ice.” More than just the spirit of The Darkness’ music, it is the bands kind and appreciative nature toward their fans that made the night that much more special.
