There’s a real sense of anticipation on entering the vast spaces of The Hydro for a double header from two of rock music’s major players; The Darkness and southern rockers Black Stone Cherry.
From the onset it’s clear this going to be a mad one considering the previous night in Liverpool the venue had to be evacuated due to the Darkness’ pyrotechnics getting a little too familiar with the venue!
Although not the biggest crowd for a Monday night in Glasgow, the energy in the OVO Hydro is electric with the assembled masses eager to witness the fiery flamboyance of The Darkness and find out if the photographers in the pit front of stage would survive the night with their eyebrows intact.
As The Darkness rushed to the stage, the energy from the crowd exploded. Justin Hawkins appeared, donning a faux fur coat, hiding his fully tattooed tattooed torso while bass player Frankie Poullain wears the most colourful suit I think I have ever seen. Instantly Hawkins addresses the crowd and was clearly delighted to be playing to what he referred to as ‘Glasgae toon’.
They blasted through their back catalogue of classic tracks ‘One Way Ticket’, ‘Love is Only a Feeling’, ‘Japanese Prisoner of Love’ and as someone who doesn’t listen to the band frequently, I’ve been converted! The spirit of the band and the crowd interactions between every song is great. Hawkins does however leave the stage after a few songs and we were treated to the band jamming but reappeared promptly and ‘treating’ us one of his colourful trademark jumpsuits, so all is forgiven – I think! ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’ is on another level live and really got the crowd going, Hawkins requests that put their phones away for the song to allow everyone to share this moment together which is a welcome change at concerts of this magnitude. Hawkins really channels his on stage persona from rock stars we know and love; from prancing around the stage Jagger to sing and return segments like the late great Freddie Mercury.
From the pyrotechnics to crowd interactions, from Hawkin’s eccentric dance moves (including a headstand!) to the colourful wardrobe, it was a live performance to remember.
Black Stone Cherry announce their presence on stage in silhouette from from behind a huge white curtain hiding the stage. The curtain falls and the band launch straight into ‘Me and Mary Jane’, a great way to start the set with the mighty heavy blues riff amping up the crowd. They perform tracks from a variety of albums including ‘Out of Pocket’, ‘White Trash Millionaire’ and intimate song frontman Chris Robertson dedicates to his late father which sees some of the crowd hold lighters and phone torches in the air. It’s was clearly a special moment for both the band and their fans.
The stage set is layered affair with multiple ramps and platforms which gives band apmple opportunity to run around the stage, striking various rock star poses as they go!
The band go on to express their gratitude to the Glaswegian fans for playing an important role in the band’s history as this very venue was where they played their first arena gig back in 2016.
The concert finishes with and a heavy rock cover of ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ by the Electric Light Orchestra which was surprising and a stellar way to end the night with a massive sing along and a dance.
Words and pictures: Mark Gillies @inyerface__