Live Review: The Darkness - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
Support: Ash
15th March 2025
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
It’s a chilly evening in Wolverhampton but our cockles are about to be warmed by two hours of The Darkness with support from the once chart-topping indie rockers Ash.
Ash took the stage with a rousing welcome from the fans, setting the tone for the evening as the opening act for The Darkness. Celebrating over three decades in the music industry, Ash delivered a performance that was a complete nostalgia trip for many, reminding fans of their enduring appeal.
The trio commenced their set with the high-energy ‘Goldfinger’ with the momentum seamlessly transitioned into ‘Angel Interceptor’ where bassist Mark Hamilton was happy to throw some shapes ad he showcased his slapping bass lines. Diving into ‘Orpheus’ Ash ventured into more progressive rock territories, with the band exhibiting a confident and expansive sound. Frontman Tim Wheeler's guitar work was a particularly stand out, delivering solos that resonated with precision.
The tempo shifted with ‘Shining Light’ a track that highlighted the band's melodic prowess and Wheeler's captivating vocals. ‘Braindead’ and ‘Kung Fu’ injected a punk-infused energy into the set, invigorating the crowd with their brisk tempos and catchy hooks.
As the set drew to a close, Ash treated fans to classics ‘Girl From Mars’ and ‘Burn Baby Burn’. These tracks, emblematic of the band's signature sound, throwing fans back to the mid to late 90’s, a time when Ash were headlining the very venue we watch them in again tonight.
The gathered Black Country masses were now primed for the epicness that was to follow. As the intro tape of Abba’s ‘Arrival’ played through the PA a voice in my ear stated “you know we’re in for a good time if they arrive to an Abba number” and how true that voice was.
“Wolverhampton… give me a D” - “D” - “give me an ARKNESS” - “ARKNESS” was the opening gambit from Justin Hawkins as he interacted with the crowd, a big grin across his face as the band kicked off their set with ‘Rock and Roll Party Cowboy’.
From here they delved into fan favourites like ‘Growing on Me’ and ‘Get Your Hands Off My Woman’, with Justin Hawkins' distinctive vocals and charismatic stage presence captivating the audience. From jumps off the drum riser to handstands galore, the entertainment stretched far beyond the happy go lucky rock the band were pumping out at full volume.
Tracks from their latest album, ‘Dreams on Toas’t, such as ‘Mortal Dread’ and ‘Motorheart’ were met with enthusiasm, showcasing the band's ability to evolve while retaining their signature sound.
A standout moment was their brief rendition of Led Zeppelin's ‘Immigrant Song, leading into the iconic ‘ Believe in a Thing Called Love, which had the crowd singing along in unison.
The encore featured ‘Weekend in Rome’ and ‘I Hate Myself’, culminating in a rousing performance of ‘Love on the Rocks With No Ice’, leaving fans exhilarated. Just sixteen months ago the band headlined the same venue, to a not quite full house, Justin ever thankful to the fans for their return, this time selling out the venue. It was a magical night, and we can’t wait for The Darkness to return very soon!
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
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