The old Shriners’ Hall in Indianapolis is impressive, to say the least. It stands as the largest Masonic temple in the Western world and the only such structure with a French-derived name—Murat. Built in 1909 to astonish, it still does, covering nearly a city block. With its Arabian-inspired design, the temple has been a cultural hub in Indy for more than a century. Tonight, The Darkness descends upon the grand structure, and patrons can hardly wait.
Traveling along on the Dreams on Toast tour is a relatively new band named for their frontman, Mark Daly and the Ravens. The band kicks off with the fast-paced “This Is Love” before melting into the darker “Devil’s Arms.” Hard-hitting, straight-ahead rock is the band’s bread and butter, and “Better Off Alone” is pure rock. The energy slows a little with “Better Days,” a guitar-driven tune reminiscent of the Seattle grunge sound.
“Crazy” brings a darker, blues-driven edge and leads into Mark’s introduction of the band. Mark, from Cork, Ireland, delivers vocals and acoustic guitar. Cillian Plummer locks in harmonies on rhythm guitar while Kyle Hughes pounds out the beat on drums. Jack Ross anchors the low end on bass, and the one and only James Brown shreds on lead guitar. The band powers through “Superhero” and “Wanna Be More” before closing their set with “Don’t Look Back.”
This young band is brimming with talent and well worth seeking out. Fingers crossed they’ll return to our shores soon.
After a quick reset, The Darkness storm the stage with “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy” from their new album Dreams on Toast. Frontman Justin Hawkins is an entertainer of the highest order—an absolute gift for anyone seeking true rock-and-roll spectacle. On “Growing on Me,” he challenges the crowd to mimic his soaring falsetto. Fans give it their best, but there’s only one Justin.
The audience knows every lyric, belting along with gusto. Midway through “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” Justin executes a headstand on the drum riser, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The band feeds off the energy and launches into the blistering new track “Mortal Dread.”
The heavy-hitting “Motorheart” has the room spinning before Justin pauses to explain the interactive choreography needed for “Walking Through Fire.” He masterfully plays the audience, mixing instruction with playful banter until they’re primed to participate. The payoff: a rousing, communal version of the Dreams on Toast standout.
Dan Hawkins, Justin’s brother and the band’s guitarist, rips through searing solos while adding harmony vocals on “Barbarian,” “Love Is Only a Feeling,” and “Given Up.” Drummer Rufus Taylor, usually hidden at the back while pounding the kit like it owes him money, takes center stage for a soulful rendition of the bluesy “My Only.”
The set barrels forward with “Heart Explodes,” fueled by audience clapping, before shifting gears into the buoyant new tune “The Longest Kiss.” “Friday Night” turns into a raucous singalong, proving once again: at a Darkness concert, you don’t just listen—you commit fully.
Bassist Frankie Poullain, ever the steadying presence and straight man to Justin’s antics, keeps the band locked in. They tear into “Japanese Prisoner of Love,” which morphs into an extended jam before closing with the anthem that made them stars: “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.”
The crowd won’t let them leave. After deafening cheers, The Darkness return for encores, first coaxing the audience into a spirited rendition of “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” then finishing the night with the defiant “I Hate Myself.”
The Darkness deliver a show like no other—equal parts rock concert, theater, and communal celebration. The Dreams on Toast tour runs through November 22, closing in Denver. Catch them while you can.
