THE DARKNESS Pack the Summit Music Hall in Denver, Colorado for Their Final Performance on the Dreams On Toast 2025 Tour

11/24/2025

By: Terrell Stewart

It’s always a great pleasure to be asked by a band's pr to cover their band's show. This past Saturday night I had the great pleasure of covering the final show of The Darkness and what a fun show to witness let alone photograph!

Starting the night off was Mark Daly and the Ravens. Opening their set with their new single, “This is Love” started off the night with a great and loud rock and roll sound that the crowd got into right away and set the tone for an evening of solid high energy rock and roll! Backed with strong experienced musicians, they powered through a great set of music that had the crowd moving and cheering. What a great start for this night.

After the electric start from Mark Daly and the Ravens, anticipation built quickly for the headliners. When The Darkness finally took the stage, the energy in the room shifted instantly. Justin Hawkins strutted out with his trademark flamboyance, his vocals soaring out through the venue that remind you why this band carved such a unique space in rock. The Darkness wasted no time showing the crowd why they remain masters of playful rock theater. Opening with “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy” from their latest album Dreams on Toast, the band leaned into their familiar mix of humor and hard-hitting riffs. Frontman Justin Hawkins stepped out in a velvet jacket with a glam rock flair, flashing quick grins as he launched into the opening with his powerful vocals.

By the end of their second song, a bit of commotion stirred just behind me. A handwritten sign from two women in the crowd was passed forward to Justin, reading: “Please play “Love On the Rocks”. It’s how we fell in love, ironically!” Moments later, I felt something bounce off my head — what looked at first like a piece of padding. Another photographer scooped it up and handed it to Justin, revealing it to be a black bra tossed onstage by one of the same women. Justin wrapped the bra around his neck and moved right into, “Get Your Hands Off My Woman”. Justin finished off song then stood on his head on the drum riser. (photo gallery) Just three songs into a 27 song set list, The Darkness was just getting started!

They continued their amazing set with tracks like, “Get Your Hands Off My Woman” and “Barbarian” delivered the raw punch, while “Love Is Only a Feeling” and “Heart Explodes” carried the emotional weight without ever losing intensity. Their cover of “Dead Flowers” paid proper tribute to the Stones while still carrying that unmistakable Darkness sheen. And then came “The Power of Love” — the Celine Dion classic reimagined in a way only this band could pull off. It drifted seamlessly between parody, sincerity, and full vocal showcase, landing as one of the night’s most memorable highlights.

As the night rolled on, the room stayed fully locked in. “Japanese Prisoner of Love,” “Friday Night,” and “My Only” kept the momentum surging, each track feeding the crowd’s energy. Between them, the band slipped in partial runs of “Pressure,” “Black Shuck,” and “Christmas Time,” quick bursts of nostalgia that sparked laughter and sing‑alongs without breaking stride. The encore was a punch of its own — a bright, sharp, and perfect moment that began with a cover of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69.” The room erupted, voices raised in unison as the band leaned into the anthem. “One Way Ticket” carried that surge forward, spinning the energy into a final sprint. And then came the closer, “I Hate Myself,” delivered with a grin, a punchline, and a blast of volume.

What an amazing show to witness! A very big thank you to Renee of Publicity Please for asking me to cover this show, it was such a great night!