THE DARKNESS, YOU AM I 'MAJESTY OF TAP', DZ DEATHRAYS
FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE
WEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2024
PHOTOS BY CHRIS SEARLES.
WORDS BY BEN PREECE.
The Darkness aren't to be fucked with. They're funny, everything they do is tongue in cheek but it isn't parody in the slightest. They're the real deal and arguably execute the greatest rock show on planet Earth right now, with their superpower almost wholly existing within frontman Justin Hawkins. He is, quite simply, a living, breathing, walking, jumping, guitar shredding, pick slinging rock god. Tonight, they're taking on debut album Permission To Land in its entirety, but not in order, that would be insane as it would put the likes of 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' fourth in the setlist. Elsewhere, they cover Radiohead, Led Zeppelin and Phil Collins and fill out the two-and-a-quarter hour set with Permission To Land-circa b-sides and what-not. They might not be everyone's cup of tea, but those who get it it agree that it's a travesty that this band doesn't play stadiums nor afforded a full pyrotechnic budget.
You Am I have to go down as utter legends and damn good sports for undertaking a set of Spinal Tap songs for this tour. Complete with skits of sorts from the film, the spoken word drama, costumes and even a mini Stonehenge, it's unclear who was having more fun - the band or the crowd. Here's hoping some clever record exec finances the full tribute record.
Local heroes DZ Deathrays slay the Fortitude before everyone. This isn't hyperbole, the lads have been around the block more than a few times and it's safe to say they've conquered their live set.
