Ray's Gigs

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Friday 17 December 2021.

Friday 17 December 2921. THE DARKNESS + KRIS BARRAS BAND live at Shepherds Bush Empire. I went back to see the second of their two shows here. Not sold out tonight, but much more busier than last night. KRIS BARRAS BAND arrived on stage at 8pm for their 30 mins set. THE DARKNESS arrived on stage at 9pm for their 1 hour 40 mins set. The show is five minutes longer tonight as they play an extra Christmas song during the encore. The extra track played was Chris Rea "Driving Home For Christmas". Another eye-watering display of guitar wizardry, catsuits, and falsetto screams. The Darkness proves once again what we all knew – the world needs more cowbell. The Darkness show really does get everyone smiling away, due to Justin's antics on stage. They really are a very entertaining, visually enjoyable band with some great tunes too. The new album tracks are good. Justin tells the audience how grateful the band are to get to the end of their long UK tour without any covid cancellelations by them. Like the previous night the security guy in the pit "Pete" gets his bald head rubbed by Justin, and Pete gets introduced to the crowd and Pete gets big cheers ,as he has been giving out glasses of water to those down the front. Justin again gets the whole crowd bouncing to their biggest hit "I Believe in a Thing Called Love". The fake snow again came down from the ceiling during the encore...another great show. --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Thursday 16 December 2021. THE DARKNESS + KRIS BARRAS BAND live at Shepherds Bush Empire. The Darkness are playing a full UK tour to promote their latest album " Motorheart". Their great debut album "Permission to Land " went straight up to number two on the UK Albums Chart upon its release on 7 July 2003, before going to number one and staying there for four weeks, eventually going on to sell over 1.5 million copies in the UK alone, and over 3 million copies worldwide. The album also featured great hit singles and put rock and fun back in the charts again. In 2004 the band won three Brit Awards: Best British Group, Best British Rock Act, and Best British Album. I have seen The Darkness several times including two headline shows at Alexandra Palace in 2006. Also Wembley Arena, Brixton Academy, Hammersmith Apollo and most recent The Roundhouse (2019). ROGER TAYLOR from Queen will hopefully be there as his son Rufus, plays drums with The Darkness. Support comes from MASSIVE WAGONS who are great up and coming live rock band. I saw them on a small stage at The Rambln' Man Festival in 2016. I am really looking forward to seeing this great pair of rock bands. ON THE DAY OF THE GIG UPDATE... First of all British Lion (feat Steve Harris from Iron Maiden) pulled out of the tour, then Massive Wagons got added and played the majority of the tour , but for the London shows it looks like Kris Barras Band are playing....as Massive Wagons band members are ill (covid?), so Kris Barras Band are playing an acoustic duo set after getting a last minute call up. The Darkness are playing shows in mainland Europe in Jan/Feb 2022 and then they are playing a 34 date North American tour in March/April 2022. ------------------ Level 3 tonight is closed, so maybe only 700 or 800 are here. The show tomorrow has sold more tickets as it is on a Friday. KRIS BARRAS BAND arrive on stage at 8pm for their 30 mins set. A decent enough acoustic set , but all through their set i was wishing that Massive Wagons had not pulled a sickie at the last minute. AL MURRAY - THE PUB LANDLORD was sitting in the Level 1 VIP seats. THE DARKNESS arrive on stage at 9pm for their 95 mins set. Lots of lights dotted around the stage. The band all seem to be nicking moves from other artists. Singer Justin is looking like Steven Tyler and is doing some nifty David Lee Roth high kicks etc. Guitarist Dan is doing his best Malcolm Young AC/DC guitar stance as he riffs away. Drummer Rufus is doing his best to look like Taylor Hawkins Foo Fighters. Justin's amazing falsetto voice is still intact. After 30 mins, Justin is keen to get his chest and tattoos out. Near the end of the main set, Justin does a full handstand in front of the drum kit. Justin is a great front man, and has plenty of flamboyant and entertaining stage banter. The critics were a bit harsh on them during their success but there are elements of the band that do verge on "panto" type rock but it's all good fun. Needless to say their mega hit "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" was a highlight. For the encore section they all donned Christmas outfits for a couple of Christmas cover hits and their own excellent Christmas hit, which got to number two in Dec 2003. A great show. Full setlist played by THE DARKNESS tonight.... Welcome Tae Glasgae One Way Ticket Growing on Me Motorheart Open Fire Sticky Situations Givin' Up It's Love, Jim Black Shuck Heart Explodes Friday Night Love Is Only a Feeling Japanese Prisoner of Love Solid Gold Eastbound Barbarian Get Your Hands Off My Woman I Believe in a Thing Called Love Encore: Last Christmas (Wham! cover) Mistletoe & Wine (Cliff Richard cover) (snippet played by Justin solo) Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) (fake snow falling over the stalls standing area)