Stepping into the light, The Darkness transformed Indianapolis into a glam rock wonderland during a raving Tuesday night show in September, proving why they’ve endured as one of Britain’s most entertaining live acts. The Egyptian Room’s intimate setting amplified every theatrical moment of their two-hour performance.
Kicking off the night was Mark Daly & The Ravens; these Irish rockers delivered raw, unfiltered rock energy as the opening act for The Darkness. Cork native Mark Daly commanded the stage with gritty vocals reminiscent of classic Aerosmith, backed by tight musicianship that balanced vintage rock influences with modern edge. The 45-minute set showcased songs from their recent releases, with standout track “Break Away” demonstrating the band’s ability to craft memorable hooks alongside their hard-driving sound.
Daly’s stage presence was magnetic – part showman, part storyteller, connecting instantly with the crowd through between-song banter about their journey from Ireland to American stages. The rhythm section locked into powerful grooves while lead guitar work added both melody and bite.
The band’s energy never flagged, building momentum that perfectly set up the headliners. Their sound felt authentic rather than derivative, suggesting genuine growth beyond their influences.
The Darkness strutted onstage accompanied by a backing track by ABBA and immediately launched into “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy”, a fever dream of a song, very reminiscent of a Weird Al parody track. The Indy crowd responded immediately, with fans singing along at every opportunity; eager to hear both the band’s newest content as well as old favorites. The band seemed energized by the enthusiastic Indianapolis crowd. During “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” Frontman Justin Hawkins executed his signature handstand while the fans cheered and vocalized their enjoyment and approval.
The band seemed energized by the enthusiastic Indianapolis audience. Dan Hawkins delivered blistering guitar work throughout and his brother Justin was extremely proficient in his own right as well. The rhythm section of Frankie Poullain and Rufus Tiger Taylor locked into a thunderous groove, with Taylor’s drumming on “I Hate Myself” being absolutely ferocious.
The Egyptian Room’s acoustics perfectly captured Hawkins’s crowd manipulation during “Walking Through Fire,” where he conducted the audience in synchronized marching and other movements. Indianapolis fans proved game for every theatrical flourish, from call-and-response sections to mass sing-alongs.
The evening skillfully balanced nostalgia with new material. Classic hits like “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” and “Get Your Hands off My Woman” anchored the show, while tracks from “Dreams on Toast” like “Walking Through Fire” felt destined for future classic status.
The Darkness delivered everything Indianapolis expected and more. Their ability to balance supreme musicianship with theatrical absurdity created an unforgettable evening. This wasn’t just nostalgia – it was a master class in rock entertainment from a band that’s found its mature voice while retaining youthful exuberance.
Indianapolis proved itself a worthy stop on The Darkness’s tour, with the Egyptian Room providing perfect intimacy for the band’s larger-than-life performance. Circle City rock fans won’t soon forget this glittery, bombastic, utterly joyful celebration of everything great about rock music.