The Darkness – Live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire 16/12/2021

Written by Kahmel Farahani on December 22, 2021

The year 2021 has been a difficult one for touring musicians and venues alike. However, with the year coming to a close and even with an uncertain future ahead, many bands are making the most of the holidays to squeeze in one last run of tour dates before who knows when.

Tonight, the original support band Massive Wagons have had to cancel last minute due to illness in the camp. The good news is up fast rising singer/guitarist Kris Barras has been roped in to take their place and save the day. Stripped back to an acoustic duo , Kris and fellow guitarist Josiah play a superb, bare bones set tonight.

“we’re the people you call when you can’t get anyone else!” jokes a smiling Kris Barras. “We also haven’t done an acoustic gigs in ages”. Thankfully all of Barras’ songs make a nearly seamless transition from electric to acoustic, with ‘Dead Horses’ leading the way.A fine guitarist, Barras has steadily grown into a confident frontman and stage presence over recent years and its clear to see tonight, even without a full band or an electric guitar in hand, he still has a firm hold on the show and the audience.

The gutsy, feel good singalong of `Hail Mary` comes before a great set closing cover of `All Along The Watchtower` to end tonight.

The Darkness 1

Fresh off the release of their new album Motorheart, The Darkness are back on the road for their annual and extensive Winter tour around the UK.

While some of their recent material has been sorely lacking that hooky, high energy of their debut album, songs like the tongue in cheek `Sticky Situations` have that theatrical quality of early Queen crossed with The Sweet’s harder edged glam rock. Its a refreshing return to form.

Justin Hawkins

However, tonight The Darkness are clearly in the holiday spirit and cleverly give the audience exactly what it wants. They end up playing most of `Permission To Land` tonight, brilliantly scattered throughout tonight’s setlist, making sure energy levels never dip.

The Darkness live

`Please lets put our phones away and enjoy this one together` says Justin Hawkins before starting the track that sends the whole venue wild. Even after countless plays `I Believe In A Thing Called Love`.

Justin Hawkins 1

After a brief interlude, the band return to the stage in full Christmas garb. From Justin in a Santa suit to drummer Rufus Taylor as a beer soaked Christmas tree, its impossible not to smile. The Darkness begin their encore by Whamming the entire audience with a short cover of `Last Christmas` and Cliff Richard’s `Mistletoe and Wine` before they commence their own Christmas hit `Don’t Let The Bells Ring`. With a massive sing along and paper snow falling from the roof, its the perfect end a festive and hugely enjoyable night. In these uncertain times, its good to have The Darkness and, by extension Christmas, back on track.

The Darkness 2