Hell Bent For Denim And Leather

The Darkness kicked off their Permission To Land 20th Anniversary US Tour in San Francisco at the Masonic Auditorium on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. The Comancheros from Columbia, MO for the West Coast dates.

The Comancheros are a band that you don’t want to miss. They brought out so much energy, which was the best way to get the crowd going. Their music is considered heavy western with bellowing vocals by Tanner Jones, who is also on lead guitar. Drummer, Michael “Bobcat” Cook, is primal on the drums. Bassist John “Deere” Green appeared to constantly whip around his hair, while not skipping a note and singing vocals. They played a great set with both old and new songs.

When The Darkness took the stage, the crowd was ready! The band was in top form, with Justin Hawkins’ smiling throughout the entire show and his vocals soaring over the crowd. You felt that he was happy to be there and he let his fans know it. Always the showman with high kicks, headstands, and his 5 octave range. Justin never showed signs of slowing down! 

The band played a wide range of songs from their discography including classics, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” and “Bald.” The crowd was on their feet from the start, singing along and dancing to every song. During the encore, they ended the show with “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End),” for the first time in the North America.

It was a night of pure rock and roll, and the Darkness delivered everything fans could have hoped for. The band started the show at 100% and ended it at 110. The Darkness is a band to see. You are guaranteed a brilliant show.