Images: The Darkness, Diarrhea Planet March 30, 2018 at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas

It had been a long time since I had been to a show at the Brooklyn Bowl, and really a show in general. I was stoked to be invited back to see The Darkness after two years since the last time they had been in Vegas. Up in the front row near the stage I ran into a group of people who had been to the show two years ago. They had remembered me from that show because I handed them a guitar pick that had been flung into the photo pit. So after a long chat with them it was time for the show to begin.

I had heard of openers Diarrhea Planet but have never had the chance to check them out. Sometimes I think it’s more fun that way, seeing a band live for the first time and hardly knowing what to expect. The first thing I remember thinking was, “Man, there are a lot of mics up there.” Shortly after that thought the band came out and I heard someone from further back in the crowd yell, “That’s too many damn guitars!!!”

Whoever it was that yelled that out was wrong. These guys were not only fun to watch but they were just shredding up there like no one was watching. One of the things I kept thinking throughout the set was that it was like watching a guitar orchestra. Each guitar had a purpose and brought each song together. It was really a unique thing to see. These guys just destroyed and were a perfect warm up for The Darkness.

The Brooklyn Bowl went dark and the lights on stage began to flicker and then out came the boys of The Darkness. Lead singer Justin Hawkins strides towards the center mic with arms out wide, adorned in a skin tight, leopard print jumpsuit. The crowd was completely ready for the party to start and from the moment they ripped into the first song the party was in full swing.

These guys always bring the showmanship to their live performances and this show was no exception. They had the crowd jumping and sing along to every word. I was waiting to see when they would start interacting and/or heckling the crowd and it didn’t take too long. I would say about halfway through the set they began messing with a few dudes in the crowd and they went back and forth mocking each other. A few songs later they went back to goofing on these two guys and actually picked out pretty funny – but explicit – names for them and then took a crowd poll of who was on whose team “Twilight style.” At some point after the poll, Justin also managed to get someone in the crowd to give him their hat and glasses to wear for the rest of the set. Needless to say I, and I’m sure most of the crowd, was thoroughly entertained.

Nearing the end of the night, The Darkness had burned through almost every solo and high note they had on their set list. “Get Your Hands Off Of My Woman” definitely was the last blast of energy before everyone sang along, almost as a farewell, to “Growing On Me.” As the band left the stage I noticed quite a few groups heading out towards the exit. I was very surprised because although I had insider info that there would be an encore, I just thought it was common knowledge that you at least stay a few minutes to make sure they aren’t coming back out. Well for those of us who stayed it was worth the wait because they did come back out a torn through to more songs for us.

Of course they ended the night with “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” I think that is a perfect song for them to end a set on. Although you could make the argument that they have to play it last due to it being their biggest hit the USA, I would say they play it last because it’s a great unifier amount their fans. It brings a younger audience who maybe just discovered them on YouTube or Spotify or some of the older fans like myself who first saw the music video on VH1 when they actually did music stuff. It helps bring a diverse crowd of people together and gets everyone to sing at the top of their lungs one last time before we all call it a night. Phenomenal show as always from The Darkness and I wouldn’t expect anything less.

-Anthony Constantine | https://www.facebook.com/anthonycphotography