The Darkness Portsmouth Guildhall 25.03.25

Let’s talk about a truly unforgettable, sold-out evening at Portsmouth Guildhall with the one and only The Darkness. And when I say sold out, I don’t just mean in the ticket sense—it felt like every square inch of the venue was packed with fans, buzzing with anticipation. The sheer energy in the room was so intense, it was as if the walls themselves were struggling to contain the madness.

From the moment the band hit the stage, the atmosphere was electric. Justin Hawkins is known for his outrageous stage presence, and he did not disappoint. Strutting, leaping, and commanding the crowd with his signature falsetto, he was every bit the rockstar you’d hope for. The band as a whole were completely dialed in, tight, energetic, and absolutely on fire.

The setlist was a perfect blend of old and new, seamlessly weaving together their iconic hits with fresh material. That’s one of the things that makes The Darkness so special—they have such a distinctive sound that even their latest songs feel like they’ve been part of their discography for years. It can be tricky for a band with such a strong back catalog to introduce new music without losing the essence of what makes them great, but they pull it off effortlessly. Every riff, every soaring chorus, every punchy drumbeat felt like classic The Darkness.

The crowd was completely immersed, jumping, dancing, and singing along at full volume. It was one of those shows where you lose yourself in the moment—a blur of flashing lights, roaring guitars, and pure, sweaty, rock and roll chaos. By the end of the night, everyone was exhausted, exhilarated, and absolutely buzzing from the experience.

If you ever get the chance to see The Darkness live, don’t hesitate. They’re a band that truly knows how to put on a show, and at Portsmouth Guildhall, they proved once again why they remain one of the most exciting live acts out there.