Concert Review: The Darkness ‘Motorheart Tour’ Strikes The Observatory

Who: The Darkness

Where: The Observatory, Santa Ana, CA

When: March 13, 2022

Permission to land! British rock lords, The Darkness strikes the Observatory in Santa Ana, California while on their ‘Northern American Motorheart Tour.’ In 2003, The Darkness dominated the music scene with their groundbreaking record, Permission to Land which was successful throughout the states and the U.K. with tracks like ‘Love Is Only A Feeling,’ ‘Growing on Me’ and ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love.’ The band released their seventh album, Motorheart back in November 2021 and officially ended the tour this month.

I got to capture their performance while in town and I got to say, The Darkness gave a stellar performance that goes beyond cosmic proportions. It wasn’t just a live show, it was pageantry of The Darkness. The set started off with the simple basics of a concert; logo draped in background, instruments set up and lights shine on stage as we awaited for it to start. However, it was more than what meets the eye. I felt a jolt in my spine once I heard a loud guitar riff and cheerful echos in the audience. I was not prepare for what’s next and that is the beauty, you did not know what their next move would be.

The tremendous amount of craftsmanship put into their show did not go unnoticed. The swift costume change up between tracks, the highly charismatic energy and lead singer/guitarist Justin Hawkins prowess had the crowd by their horns. Along with brother, Dan Hawkins on guitar, Frankie Poullain on bass and drummer Rufus Taylor roared through the venue for the back to hear. It felt like I was shifted into their own musical dimension for two hours beginning with ‘Welcome Tae Glasgae’ to the encore, ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love.’ I highly recommend them to be on your bucket list. Be prepare to blast off into the marvelous wonders of The Darkness.

Motorheart Tour – 2022 North American dates:

3/9 San Diego, CA @The Observatory North Park

3/10 Las Vegas, NV @House of Blues

3/12 Tempe, AZ @Marquee Theatre

3/13 Santa Ana, CA @The Observatory

3/15 Los Angeles, CA @The Novo

3/16 San Francisco, CA @The Regency Ballroom

3/17 Portland, OR @Roseland Theater

3/18 Seattle, WA @The Showbox

3/20 Vancouver, BC @Vogue Theatre

3/22 Calgary, AB @The Palace Theatre

3/23 Edmonton, AB @Union Hall