Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Wednesday 24th November 2021

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THE DARKNESS – CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE – LIVE REVIEW
Would it be November without a tour from The Darkness? I mean can you even celebrate Christmas until youâve heard the band play that song? In my opinion, no!
Said tour is in full gear, and tonight it finds its way into the Corn Exchange in Cambridge. The tour is in support of brand new album, âMotorheartâ; and along for the ride are Massive Wagons.
Read our review of ‘Motorheart’ from The Darkness
After original support British Lion withdrew, some might say that the arrival of Massive Wagons late in the day wasnât just a worthy replacement but actually an upgrade! The band have steadily built themselves a solid reputation as a band and as a live act and slots like this will only grow that reputation. Win, win then.
Tonight they are greeted warmly by the Cambridge crowd as they preview their own latest release, âHouse of Noiseâ. The likes of âIn It Togetherâ, âPressureâ and âBangin in Your Stereoâ mix perfectly with fan favourites âChina Platesâ and âBack to the Stackâ to make for a fantastic opening set.
Crowd suitably warmed, itâs then time for that band of folklore The Darkness to shine bright on the big stage once again. To be completely honest, itâs almost a pointless job in reviewing this band as they are so prolific on stage. When you buy a ticket to The Darkness, you know that you will have a good time.
The set list for this tour is as you would expect for a new album tour â a mix of said new album and cult debut âPermission To Landâ, with a handful of other offerings thrown in for good measure.
WATCH ‘IT’S LOVE, JIM’ ON YOUTUBE
âMotorheartâ is another solid album of typical Darkness material and it therefore fits right in. From set opener âWelcome Tae Glasgaeâ, to the title track, to the fun âItâs Love, Jimâ, the new material presents well live, again as you would expect really.
Naturally the biggest reactions of the evening come from the likes of early tracks âOne Way Ticketâ, âGrowing On Meâ, âFriday Nightâ and âI Believe In A Thing Called Loveâ. It must be said though that the likes of âOpen Fireâ, âHeart Explodesâ, âSolid Goldâ and âBarbarianâ from more recent albums are also now received as set staples.
Singer Justin Hawkinsâ on stage banter tonight is to critique the somewhat quiet audience. Having just the night before reviewed a gig whereby I felt the need to comment on the rudeness of the crowd in talking louder than the music, it leaves me wondering just where the sweet spot is for crowd attention.
All that is left to complete the night is that old Christmas classic âChristmas Time (Donât Let The Bells End)’ with the band attired in suitably festive gear. Then the crowd can go off into the night happy and ready to celebrate the time of year, all thanks to The Darkness!
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