The Darkness - Livin' On The Sledge Tour 2004, Glasgow SECC, Scotland, 26/11/04, With Ash and Do Me Bad Things. ------------------------------------ After three months or refreshing themselves from their pretty much constant world touring since 2003, British rock sensation The Darkness are back on their new 'Winternational' tour of arenas across the UK, and I was lucky enough to be part of the venue in Glasgow, or as frontman Justin calls it, 'Glasgee'. It's an interesting crowd in the streets and lobby on the night. Since the Darkness are the ones who brought rock 'n' roll back to the mainstream in Britain, there is a collection of new-age rock fans and classic rockers (complete with leather jackets and cowboy boots). Meanwhile inside, Do Me Bad Things are warming up the crowd with their brand of 'weird-rock'. Consisting of nine members, some who do nothing but march and dress as Abraham Lincoln, they are truly just...strange. Next, we are treated to a half-hour set from potato-pickin' Irish quartet, Ash. Personally I don't like Ash, but I'll even admit, tonight's performance was a rather enjoyable set. Nice job, guys! Ash retreat from the stage after their set consisting of new and old tracks, including 'Girl From Mars', 'Kung Fu', 'Clones', 'Orpheus', 'Renegade Cavalcade', 'Shining Light' and I even found myself cheering when frontman Tim Wheeler announced their closing track, 'Burn Baby Burn'. Now, we wait... After 15 minutes of agony, off go the lights. After some fancy music and light/smoke effects, Ed Graham, Dan Hawkins and Frankie Poullain enter the stage, welcomed by ear-shattering screams from the audience. Then, without warning, appears frontman Justin Hawkins. Multiply the afore-mentioned scream by twelve. The band launch into new and unreleased track, 'Grief Hammer', and the audience greet it with roaring applaud, although the majority of fans had not yet heard this. But after it, we're back to familiar ground with 'Givin' Up' from the 'Permission To Land' album. Justin looks overjoyed to be on-stage, like any true musician should. "Gimme a G! Gimme a 'lasgee'! What's that spell? Glasgee!". Justin himself is a one-man show, as he goes through a variety of stupid stunts, jokes and just plain baffling actions. "Ahhh, Glasgee. The place you can have your confectionary deep-fried! I'd do anything for you guys, know why? Because you guys are awesome. I'd even deep fry my k******s for you!" And so, they launch through their incredible two-hour set, consisting of all of the 'Permission To Land' album (with the fortunate exception of 'Holding My Own') and some new tracks and one sneaky B-sides. One new highlight was 'English Country Garden' from the forthcoming 'Livin' On The Sledge' album, which was thoughtfully changed to 'Scottish Country Garden' for this date! Throughout, we are also amazed at some of Justin's awesome guitar solos. He is an incredible guitarist. Tonight he appears in a pirate costume, soon changing to Napoleon or something, then some sort of Pirates Of The Carribean get-up. The main set ends with 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love', and the band retreat backstage. Minutes later, they reappear (Justin now in a sparkly cat-suit) and launch into 'Get Your Hands Off My Woman'. As the night goes on, our ears are pumelled into a pleasant submission by wave after wave of incredible riffs and solos, and the heat of flames and fireworks bursting from every corner of the stage can be felt. All good things come to an end. But sadly, so to incredibly-terrific-awesome things, like tonight. After Justin flies over the audience on the back of a giant white tiger whilst performing 'Love On The Rocks With No Ice' (as you do), the band once more disappear and the audience start to leave. All good things come to an end, but this however, is not the end. Minutes later, two Christmas trees are erected at each side of the stage and illuminated, as the Darkness come out to wish us a merry Christmas with festive anthem 'Christmas Time, Don't Let The Bells End'. Okay, now it's finished. Overall, this concert was fantastic. More than that, actually. It was TOO good. The Darkness are the most talented band to come from Britain in years (I mean, just look at the likes of Busted and whatnot) and with Justin leading them, they won't go wrong. This is a band built to last. They've been put down a lot, but why? For daring to be different? Surely that's a good thing. I hearby make it MANDATORY that you see The Darkness when they come to your town! Thank you, and good night!