Metro City

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Reviewed by Kevin Dobbs, Perth WA

So absence make the heart grow fonder, you might say this was the case last night when The Darkness returned to our shores last night playing the first date of their sold out Australian tour. Certainly the queue to get in said yes as it snaked around the whole block.

Having been low on the bill at the Big Day Out festivals Australia some two years earlier Perth hadn't really had a proper taste of this great band. The show last night to a packed house certainly put the record straight. This band can entertain, bring a smile to your face and rock a crowd like there is no tomorrow. Sure some still don't get it, but the crowd around me last night sure did. Infact for a city whose crowds can be less than enthusiastic I seriously thought there was something in the water. Perth you rocked!!

Mixing new and slightly less new material the band seemed genuinely in awe of the vocal crowd for a couple of songs. Infact at some points they were drowned out by the enthusiastic vocals of the audience. They played them all but noticeable highlights were "Black Shuck" and "Love on The Rocks" complete with Rod Stewart arm waving (minus the scarves). Of the newer stuff we were treat to a huge sample of that disc with "Seemed Like a Good Idea At The Time" a fine fine moment, "Hazel Eyes' with its Celtic swagger and crowd inducing frenzy. Stand out for me though was the simple "Friday Night" pure pop rock nirvana.

But really there wasn't a dud in the set list, even when Justin Hawkins has an electric keyboard in front of him to add texture to some of the more subtle moments he can still entertain. There is no self righteousness, no pomp, no politics just good honest entertainment plain and simple. The band got serious only once as Justin Hawkins relayed how they had visited the late great Bon Scott's grave that very day in Fremantle and that it would not be right not to show respect. They did so by new man on the bass Ritchie Edwards giving us a belting version of "Highway to Hell" taking the lead vocals for a star turn, then a run through 'Thunderstruck" to acknowledge Brian Johnston's era. The crowd went mental loving every moment.

So all in all one of the best rock and roll shows I have seen in an age and certainly living up beyond the hype this band sometimes has inflicted on it. I think the smiles on the faces of those around me gave me confidence that everyone agreed. A class act.