Live Review: The Darkness - AO Arena, Manchester 02/02/2023
Before the tour ends Danko Jones, The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry performed at the A0 Arena in Manchester.
Kicking off the concert and welcoming the audience, Danko Jones opened at 7 PM as a support for the co-headliners The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry. The Canadian rock trio make it clear that they are enjoying their European tour, and that they are grateful for being with The Darkness and Black Stone Cherry. The band consists of singer and guitarist Danko Jones, bass guitarist John Calabrese, and drummer Rich Knox. This was a great opener, with their energetic performance they set the audience up for their night ahead. It was a special moment for them as they were performing in Manchester again, this time in front of a bigger adoring crowd, compared to their first Manchester experience in 2006 where they performed in Academy 3 which can hold around 470 people.
30 minutes for this trio was not enough, and I cannot wait for them to hit the road for their own headline tour. Coming from their most recently released album in 2021, ‘Power Trio’ they performed the single ‘Saturday’ which is such an infectious song filled with power riffs that is an instant rock classic. Followed by their classic most popular song, ‘My Little RnR’ from the 2017 groovy album ‘Wild Cat’, with singer Jones having razor sharp lyrics. Danko Jones also performed the simple but straight to the point single ‘I’m in a band’ with a melody so full of energy it is inescapable.
Then we get another taste of rock when the first headliner The Darkness takes centre stage, opening with the single ‘Growing on Me’ from their 2003 debut album ‘Permission to Land’. As soon as their performance began they captivated the awe from everyone in the stadium as they kicked off with a golden rain background, which was just the beginning of their ethereal mesmerising stunt performances. As this is their 20th year anniversary from their debut the setlist featured 6 songs from this album, ‘Black Struck’, ‘Love is Only a Feeling’, ‘Givn’ Up’, ‘Get Your Hands off My Woman’, and ‘Love on the Rock With No Ice’. For the majority the audience’s reactions as soon as the beginning riffs of these songs began, especially ‘Black Struck’ they went wild as many was reminiscing when The Darkness released their debut and the impact that it had on the rock community as they have been a classic throughout the years.
Coupled up with their music The Darkness stage presence is amazing, and it is no doubt that they had the audience’s full attention as soon as they entered the stage till they left. The Darkness really know how to keep the fans engaged with their energetic performance, even when pulling stunts and the classic outfit changes. Lead singer and guitarist Justin Hawkins entertained the crowd as soon as he came out in bootcut jeans and a t-shirt before he loses his t-shirt, which made his performance become more theatrical as he began running around the stage, joining drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor then jumping to the ground as pyrotechnics fire around the stage.
Then The Darkness began to lean towards the glam rock genre and their stage presence became even more stronger as Justin Hawkins changed to his trademarked spandex jumpsuits shifted the performance. Throughout this change, Justin as he treats the audience to heel clicks and even a headstand with foot clasps in front of Rufus Tiger Taylor. When The Darkness began playing ‘Love on the Rocks with No Ice’ Justin showed off his out sounding guitar skills as he was carried from a crew member through the audience and didn’t even miss a single note. When The Darkness begins playing, ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love.’ Justin stops the band and tells everyone to put their phones away and for them to enjoy the moment, when the band resumes the audience are clapping, jumping and singing throughout this number and the atmosphere as this song played was so wonderful, the song then is finished with flash-bombs, and this is just proof that The Darkness are top quality entertainment and talented musicians.
It is clear when Black Stone Cherry arrive on stage that we will get a contrasting performance to The Darkness as the theatrical are gone but the performance is still energetic, with guitarist Ben Wells and bassist Steve Jewell running around the stage to each other and to drummer John Fred Young, Steve swinging his hair around is truly mesmerising and Ben climbing from the drum riser.
As Black Stone Cherry takes centre stage a huge white curtain covers them, and Sam Smith’s ‘Unholy’ single begins to play, and the members silhouettes begin to appear on the curtain. The band jumps straight into ‘Me and Mary Jane’ which is from their 2014 album ‘Magic Mountain’, with the curtain dropping down and smoke cannons bursting into action. The crowd is a wonder to see in this moment as everyone’s arms are punching in the air and everyone is singing along. With no pause the band continues to ‘Burn’’ filled with quick tempo and the orange and red lights with the smoke canons making this such a wonderful spectacle. Then a ‘Hey, Hey’ chant is started for ‘Blind Man’ from the ‘Folklore and Superstition’ 2008 album. The crowd from all these performances are on another level with guitarist Ben Wells driving out the rifts to the clapping and singing crowd.
Black Stone Cherry then plays their most recently released single, ‘Out of Pocket’ where they invite the crowd to sing with them if they know the song. It is a brilliant taster for their upcoming album with heavy riffs accompied with Jewell’s angry bass. Black Stone Cherry is like no other, giving John Fred Young a jaw dropping solo where he begins hitting the drums before he launched into his solo. Which is then followed by the slow ballad, ‘Things My Father Said’ where singer and guitarist Chris Robertson stand centre stage, he ends up taking his sunglasses off through this emotional song and as the crowd soaks up the moment with their phone lights in the air and Chris singing from the heart it is truly an eyewatering performance.
As if we wasn’t just tearing our heart out, they totally flip the style and mood again bringing us another amazing performance with ‘White Trash Millionaire’ and ‘Blame It on the Boom Boom’ where the audience instantly recognises both songs where they rap and chant the lyrics while the band plays the rapid beats and riffs. From their debut in 2006 they then play ‘Lonely Train’ as the Manchester crowd chants and Black Stone Cherry leave with a big crescendo finish. But it doesn’t end there, with the crowd chanting ‘One more song’ they come back to the stage and finish the night with ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ and they end on a high on the drum riser with an explosion of smoke cannons.
Words by Bethany Simms
