8/6/2011 The Darkness @ Shepherds Bush Empire

Subject	The Darkness @ Shepherds Bush Empire
DateCreated	6/16/2011 3:45:00 PM
	According to some sections of the media, 'Rock is dead'... ...Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell The Darkness. Yes, after two or three years of ex-members post-Darkness bands like Stone Gods (not like The Darkness) and Hot Leg (exactly like The Darkness) and many reformation rumours and vigorous denials - they are back. Not just for one or two 'cash-in' shows 'cos they are all now skint - although they probably are by now. This handful of comeback shows is being followed by a full tour of decent sized venues towards the end of the year - and a brand new album to follow. So they are back - and this time they are serious? Were they ever serious? Does it even matter? Like Marmite, you either like them or you don't - you never had to worry about being fashionable - they certainly didn't! So are they still any good? The simple answer, in fact the only answer is yes. If you didn't like them before then you still won't like them now - for exactly the same reasons. But if you did like them, then you'll still like them now - unless you have suddenly got old and boring like the people you used to hate. The Darkness can still play well and put on a really good high energy show. I have to confess this is only the second time I've ever seen The Darkness. I never saw them while they were huge and playing places like Wembley Arena so I can't compare them with how they were at their peak, but they are pretty good now and certainly more memorable than when I saw them at the Underworld back in the day. The guitars still sound a lot like AC/DC, and there are still strong Thin Lizzy and Queen influences, but as there are only two new songs in the set tonight and the rest comes from the band's only two albums then there isn't going to be much in the way of surprises. This doesn't matter to the two thousand people here tonight - they love every minute of the show and the atmosphere is electric. Not to be outdone by Joel O'Keefe from Airbourne, Justin also gets out into the crowd mid solo for a radio asisted piggyback though the thronging masses!  The band look good, and they sound good - in fact the sound is much better tonight than just about any band I've seen in this venue apart from Europe. The Darkness certainly don't look like a band just going through the motions to earn some easy money - they look like they mean it and they are genuinely enjoying themselves. If you liked the Darkness before, and you are the sort of person who pays your money and goes to a gig not just to hear your favourite songs by that band but also to be ENTERTAINED by a great ROCK SHOW then you are going to love this. Costume changes, confetti cannons, etc - if you want an entertaining value for money rock show then The Darkness can still really deliver the goods. OK, so it's not such a big production as a Kiss or Alice Cooper show, but these guys obviously don't have the same money to play with. All the same, this show can be considered a triumph. I remember Justin saying before the second album came out that the first album was just a joke, but the second album would be serious. Then the second album came out and we all went W.T.F? It seemed the other way round when we heard 'One Way Ticket...' so it will be interesting to see what they come up with next... Although the ticket price was reasonable for a big rock show that had obviously cost quite a bit to stage, if they think I am paying £22 for a £5 T-shirt they can think again.  I have a look at the cheap ones outside afterwards but they all look a bit dull so I give them a miss too. I manage to enjoy the show without spending a penny at the bar as I continue my Boycott of Academy venue bars - making the rather weak tasting pint of Irish ale I have in the O'Neils on the corner afterwards more welcome than it would normally have been. There is quite a large selection of beers on offer in this pub - so why no real ales?  I'm in the pub within five minutes of the band finishing their last song - getting in there fast to avoid the usual after gig crowds at the bar. Amazingly, there is hardly anyone in the pub!  I can only assume the average Darkness fan is a bit of a lightweight and goes home early - if the Wildhearts or Therapy had been playing at the Empire tonight the pub would have been rammed after the show!