of Montreal is back, and on UR FUN, Kevin Barnes is more candid than ever. The public diary that started with classic album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? and earned love from The Guardian, Pitchfork, NME, SPIN, etc. has continued into a growing string of increasingly personal works. After several albums recorded with collaborators and various band members, Barnes opted to record this one completely alone. In his home studio in Athens, Georgia, Barnes isolated himself in creative hibernation, working obsessive 12-plus hour days arranging manic synth and drum machine maps on a computer screen with bouncy, melodic basslines, glam guitars and layered vocal harmonies. The result is ten concise electro-pop songs that expose the depths of his current life, his private thoughts (both optimistic and brooding) and his passionate relationship with songwriter Christina Schnieder. Check out the new track “Peace To All Freaks” below.
Santigold is embarking on a US tour to commemorate the recent 10thanniversary of her self-titled debut album. The 10 Years Golder Tour kicks off April 30th at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium. She will be performing her debut album in its entirety as well as songs from throughout her career including her latest mixtape-style album I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions (Downtown).
This past summer, Santigold released I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions (Downtown), a spontaneous mixtape-style project she recorded with Mixpak Records producer Dre Skull. Santigold and Dre Skull bonded over their shared passion for Reggae and Afro-Caribbean music. Dre Skull, known for working across dancehall, hip hop, and electronic music as a DJ, producer and founder of Mixpak Records became an instant creative comrade of Santi’s. They decided to explore their ideas for a mixtape, which ultimately grew into a 10 song recording session, which they came to call The Gold Fire Sessions. Over the course of two weeks, they recorded the bulk of the songs, playing with Reggae and Afro-Caribbean influences while pushing and pulling their pillars with Santi’s singular point of view. As the writing and recording gained steam, Santi unearthed a few gems (ideas she had started with producers Ricky Blaze and Diplo) from her unreleased vaults and she and Dre reworked them, threading together classic Santigold ideas with the spirit of this new work. The incisive social commentary, humor, and daredevil sound that have become hallmarks of her work take on exciting new forms on this project. Unlike other Santigold albums, which are recorded over long periods and heavily curated and edited by Santi, I Don’t Want is a loose and spontaneous project, a snapshot of the infectious energy of the sessions with Dre Skull.
In the decade since her classic debut, Santi has revealed herself to be the most eclectic artist of her generation with a broad influence. She has collaborated with Jay Z, Kanye West, The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O & Nick Zinner, Beastie Boys, David Byrne, Amadou & Mariam, Q Tip, MIA, Mark Ronson, Pharrell, Julian Casablancas, U-Roy, Lykke Li, Basement Jaxx, Matt & Kim, Major Lazer, Asap Rocky, Diplo, Lil Yachty, Devo, and The Lonely Island. Her songs have been sampled by Drake & Lil Wayne and Future among others. She’s written for Gza of Wu-Tang Clan, Lily Allen, and Christina Aguilera. Santi has been handpicked for tours by Bjork, Kanye West, Jay Z, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Beastie Boys. She’s a singular artist beloved by her peers across genres.
10 Years Golder Tour Dates
April 30: Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
May 2: Boston, MA @ House of Blues
May 3: New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
May 5: Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
May 6: Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
May 8: Chicago, IL @ The Vic
May 14: Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
May 15: San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
May 17: Los Angeles, CA @ The Palladium
May 18: San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic
“This is the Ladytron you remember, sleek and icy, with a wall of synthesizers barreling their way toward you, driven by a teutonic disco beat while Helen Marnie, disaffected as ever, intones “There’s no wrong, there’s no God.”
-Brooklyn Vegan
“The Animals” marches forward propelled by brittle percussion and the short, sharp synthesizer riffs popularized by early Eighties New Wave bands. Lead singer Helen Marnie condenses the hook into a punchy, breathless chant as choral backing vocals glide through the mix behind her.”
-Rolling Stone
” a potent combination of smeary dream-pop and futuristic robo-music.”
-Stereogum
“A dark, synth-driven track, the song’s lyrics describe the animalistic, base nature of humanity.”
-Spin
A hallucinatory track of primitive synths and angelic harmonies, with lyrics considering our more savage instincts.”
-Flood Magazine
On March 1st, Liverpool’s synth meets shoegaze quartet Ladytron released their new single, “The Animals” which made its premiere exclusively via Flood Magazine. A remix by Vince Clarke dropped, making its premiere with Deep House Amsterdam. Both tracks are available now exclusively through the band’s Pledge Music campaign for their forthcoming album. The campaign features deluxe versions of the album and other exclusive items including a limited seven-inch vinyl of the two versions of “The Animals.”
The project reunites the band with Grammy-winning producer Jim Abbiss who produced their iconic album Witching Hourand hit single “Destroy Everything You Touch.”“The Animals” was the first new song we had, and with it we went immediately into the studio with Jim Abbiss,” says vocalist Helen Marnie. “He’s the producer who has really understood us the most”.
A combination of primitive synths and emotive harmonies, with lyrics that contemplate humans’ bestial impulses, the single is unmistakably Ladytron, yet hints at new horizons to come. Electronic pioneer Vince Clarke adds a new dimension with his remix. Opening with a sick yet flawless bassline, and stripping the shimmering keyboards of the original for a more menacing sound. “We have always wanted to work with Vince in some way, he’s obviously a legend in our sphere,” remarks Ladytron’s Daniel Hunt.
A second single will follow in the summer, followed in the Fall by the album, both via Pledge. The Pledge Music campaign provides a great opportunity to make the album independently and reconnect with their audience.
About Ladytron:
Helen Marnie, Mira Aroyo, Daniel Hunt, Reuben Wu formed Ladytron in Liverpool, England in 1999. They broke through in the early 2000s with the Light & Magic and Witching Hour albums. After five records and a succession of world tours over a ten-year period, Ladytron took a deserved pause, pursuing other projects, collaborations and creative endeavors, before finally deciding in 2016 to begin work on new music together. “The Animals” is the first fruit of this new chapter for the group.
Los Angeles’ YACHThave released their video for the song “Shame.” The song appears on their latest EP Strawberry Moon, out now. YACHT has begun their winter tour, see below for full tour dates.
A Message from YACHT:
This is “too close for comfort cosplay,” like nobody noticing you parted your hair on the wrong side. The world of wellness and social media lifestyle brands (#vanlife) is our generation’s back to the land movement, a fantasy of escape from the rat race and from the darkness of our millennial prospects.
We want to highlight how much thought and work goes into the appearance of effortlessness. Kibu (pronounced key-boo) is our lifestyle brand. Kibu is Ubik backwards. Ubik is a novel by Philip K. Dick about a spray that holds reality in place. Kibu is a real product. Kibu is a real brand. Kibu Mist is coming soon, in an exclusive collaboration with P.F. Candle Company. Learn more about Kibu here.
“Everyone is faking it to an extent, especially in Los Angeles. We carefully mold our social media personas and frequently value posting evidence of a good experience more than the actual experience. I wanted to make a funny and subversive video about the pressure we feel to keep up a veil of effortless and abundant perfection.”
YACHT 2018 TOUR DATES
01-19 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
02-03 Seattle, WA – Baboza *
02-05 Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret *
02-06 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios *
02-07 San Francisco, CA – The Independent *
02-09 Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room *
02-10 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom *
Britain’s premiere music tastemaker Annie Mac announces the first installment of AMP SOUNDS for February 2018.
Coming home to whereAMP started out,AMP SOUNDS will be taking over the place where it hosted so many happy years of parties, London’s Camden. Celebrating all of the music that Annie Mac loves, AMP SOUNDS will encompass nine shows over the course of one month in three venues: The Jazz Café, The Roundhouse and Koko.
Showcasing all sides of the renowned AMP live brand (from the Annie Mac Presents club nights to the AMP Collected gigs), AMP SOUNDS will bring a broad range of the hottest artists and DJs of the moment, both established and upcoming.
“All aspects of our AMP Live events will be represented,” says Annie. “Our raves with the finest DJs, our showcase events with the most exciting new acts and our big closing party with the best of AMP past and present.”
AMP SOUNDS at Koko will see four very special raves held over four consecutive weekends, headlined by Annie herself alongside some very special guest DJs.
AMP SOUNDS at The Jazz Café will continue the theme of the more recently established AMP Collected nights, showcasing some of the best live acts of the moment in one of London’s most renowned and intimate venues. Running each Thursday across the month it will feature four hand-picked, eclectic line-ups including the likes of Tom Misch, Billie Eilsh, Jessie Ware and Superorganism(to name but a few).
AMP SOUNDS will culminate in a HUGE closing party atThe Roundhouse. Everyone attending a show at the Jazz Cafe or Koko across the month will gain pre-sale access to this spectacular finale. The secret bill will see Annie take to the stage once again alongside THE BEST artists from AMP past, present, and future, making it THE most special party Annie has ever hosted.
Celebrating great music in one of the UK’s most renowned cultural hubs for the month of February, AMP SOUNDS will be THE music event of the year for 2018.
The announcement of AMP SOUNDS comes ahead of Virgin EMI’s release of the AMP 2017 compilation album.Available to download and stream on Spotify now, AMP 2017features a definitive selection of Annie’s favorite tracks from the past year.
The AMP 2017 compilation is split across two discs featuring a broad-ranging collection of music that Annie has been playing on the radio and out at clubs, parties and festivals over the past year.
With the music that Annie champions being more ubiquitous than ever, never has an AMP compilation felt more reflective of the popular music zeitgeist. Featuring Bicep, J Hus, Little Dragon, Frank Ocean, Jorja Smith, Sampha, Wolf Alice and Stormzyto name a few, the tracklisting encompasses both upcoming and established artists, of varying genres. Boasting everything from international floorfillers, through US Hip Hop to UK Grime and Alt Rock, AMP 2017 demonstrates how the dancefloor is breaking down more boundaries and proving more integrated than ever before.
ANNIE MAC PRESENTS 2017 TRACKLISTING
ONE
Tieks – Say A Prayer feat Chaka Khan and Popcaan
Kah-lo – Fasta
Pnau – chameleon (Mele Remix)
Ill Blu – Tribalist
Frankie Rizardo – Same Man
Gerd and Shan – Surrender
Mella Dee – Techno Disco Tool
Ware and Odyssey – Down With The
Marlena Shaw – Get Together (CAtz and Dogs mix)
Camelphat and Elderbrook – Cola (franky rizardo remix)
Disciples – On My Mind (denney remix)
Gorgon City – Primal Call
Bicep – Vale
DUSKY – COLD HEART
Toddla T – Magnet
Lorde – Green Light (Chromeo remix)
Joe goddard – Home (Eric Kupper remix)
Goldie Vs. Ulterior Motive – I Adore You ( Feat. Natalie Williams)
TWO
Jessie Ware –Midnight (Goldie Remix)
The xx – On Hold
French Montana (feat. Swae Lee) – Unforgettable
J Hus – Bouff Daddy
Mura Masa (ft. A$AP Rocky) – Love$ick
Not3s – Aladdin
Stormzy (feat. Kehlani) – Cigarettes And Cush
Khalid – Location
SZA (feat. Travis Scott) – Love Galore
Little Dragon – High
Childish Gambino – Redbone
Lil Uzi Vert – The Way Love Goes
Jorja Smith – Teenage Fantasy
Sampha – (No One Knows Me) Like The Piano
Tyler, The Creator (feat. Rex Orange County & Anna of the North) – Boredom
In celebration of the end of their tour and the kick off to their Growlers Six festival, The Growlers have shared an unreleased track produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys / The Arcs.
“California” was recorded in 2012 in Nashville while the band was working on a full-length record with Auerbach. Though the record was never released, this is the first official recording from those sessions.
Additionally, the band’s festival The Growlers Six kicks off in San Pedro this weekend at the LA Waterfront. Check out this massive lineup!!!
The Growlers Six lineup:
The Growlers (both nights)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Modest Mouse
Dan Auerbach
Butthole Surfers
Beth Ditto
Danny Brown
The B-52s
Girl Talk
Julian Casablancas and the Voids
Bad Brains
Guided By Voices
Geto Boys
Hepcat
Steel Pulse
Chiquis Rivera
Fear
Mike Watt & the Secondmen
Alice Glass
Nice As Fuck
Beach Fossils
Tinariwen
Frankie Cosmos
Rostam
Amber Coffman
Girlpool
Mystikal
Sly + Robbie
DJ Seinfeld
Juvenile
Jonathan Richman featuring Tommy Larkins on the Drums
Cigarettes After Sex
Big Sandy + his Fly Rite Boys
The Weirdos
The Warlocks
Antibalas
Ought
Delicate Steve
Romare
Grateful Shred performs Dark Star
Personal & the Pizzas
La Luz
The Regrettes
The Paranoyds
Baby Shakes
Culture Abuse
Cat Signs
Billy Changer
Froogy’s Groovies
Doja Cat
Zen Mother
DJ Johnny Basil
Party God Andrew W.K.is thrilled to announce his first new full-length album in over a decade. The LP showcases Andrew’s signature style of blasting triumphant rock music, with an ever more epic expanse of energizing emotional ecstasy. “I’m going for the sound of pure, unadulterated power; every emotion, every thought, every experience, every sensation, every fear, every joy, every clarity, every confusion, every up, every down… all extruded and concentrated into one thick syrup of super life-force feeling, and then psychically amplified by the celebratory spirit of glorious partying,” explains Andrew. The new release is out March 2, 2018 via Sony Music worldwide.
Andrew W.K. has officially began his first full-band concert outing in five years with “The Party Never Dies Tour“. Andrew brings his party-centric positivity across America and the previously announced UK tour dates are now moving from November to April, 2018. All tickets bought for the November tour will still be honored at the new dates, or can be refunded at the point of purchase. A full list of all dates can be found below.
A one-man music machine possessed by a single-minded, monomaniacal focus on euphoric joy, Andrew lives to spread a singular message: That to party is to exist, and to exist is to party. Andrew continues to passionately deliver his extremely high-energy brand of uplifting entertainment, with an unrelenting commitment to continuing the mission he first embarked upon in 2001, with the release of his debut single and signature tune “Party Hard”, and has never swerved from since. Despite taking on a dizzying array of additional roles that took him into virgin territory for a rock ‘n’ roll musician (ie: advice columnist for the Village Voice and Vice, host of a Cartoon Network kid’s game show, lecturer at Yale, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon and the UK’s Oxford University), Andrew has always remained true to his positive-partying cause. It’s safe to say, Andrew’s hard-partying spirit is showing no signs of softening.
Andrew W.K. Tour Dates North America Sep 28 – San Francisco, CA – Independent – On Sale Now (NEW) Sep 29 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent – On Sale Now Sep 30 – Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl – On Sale Now (NEW) Oct 01 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom – On Sale Now Oct 03 – Austin, TX – Mohawk – On Sale Now Oct 04 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues – On Sale Now Oct 05 – Houston, TX – House of Blues – On Sale Now Oct 07 – St. Louis, MO – Ready Room – On Sale Now Oct 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s – On Sale Now Oct 09 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr Smalls – On Sale Now Oct 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Theater of Living Arts – On Sale Now Oct 12 – Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel – On Sale Now Oct 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw – On Sale Now Oct 14 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall – On Sale Now Oct 15 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall – On Sale Now (NEW) Oct 17 – Toronto, ON – Opera House – On Sale Now Oct 18 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall – On Sale Now Oct 19 – Columbus, OH – A&R Bar – On Sale Now Oct 20 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave – On Sale Now Oct 21 – Chicago, IL – The Vic – Pre-Sale Wed @ 10am (NEW) Oct 23 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West – (RESCHEDULED from 9/14, all tix honored)
Mexico Nov 18 – Mexico City, MEX – Corona Capital – On Sale Now
UK (MOVED FROM NOVEMBER – All Tix Honored or Available for Refund) Apr 13 – Cardiff, Wales – Great Hall Apr 14 – London, UK – Kentish Town Forum Apr 15 – Birmingham, UK – Academy 2
Apr 18 – Norwich, UK – Waterfront Apr 19 – Portsmouth, UK – Wedgewood Rooms Apr 20 – Manchester, UK – 02 Ritz Apr 21 – Glasgow, SCO – Garage
Synth-pop pioneers OMD return with their dazzling 13th studio album The Punishment of Luxury which sees them combine the wistful nostalgia and idealized romance of their previous work while stepping out of their comfort zone. The LP is out September 1st on White Noise Records.
The follow up to the critically acclaimed English Electric (released in 2013) The Punishment Of Luxury is a daring collection of stylish synth pop and masterful songwriting which will certainly rank alongside their very best.
Written, recorded, produced and mixed by OMD – Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys – the album is the sound of a band in their prime. “On this album, we have managed to make beautiful things out of noises and repetitive patterns,” explains Andy. “The trouble is, we just can’t help but write a catchy melody!”
Thetrack and album are named after an 1891 painting by the Italian divisionist Giovanni Segantini that caught Andy’s eye. Andy explains, “Most people in the western world are materially better off than their predecessors ever were and yet we are unhappier. Now we have many possessions that we don’t need because we’ve been persuaded to buy. This is the punishment of luxury.”
Described by The Quietus as “not just one of the best synth bands ever – they are one of the best bands ever,” OMD’s influence has become ubiquitous. The xx, the Killers, and LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy have cited OMD as an inspiration, and the likes of Future Islands and Chvrches show traces of OMD’s DNA.
Check out three of the tracks from the new album now!
Punishment Of Luxury – Tracklisting
1. The Punishment of Luxury
2. Isotype
3.Robot Man
4. What Have We Done
5. Precision & Decay
6. As We Open, So We Close
7. Art Eats Art
8. Kiss Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Bang
9. One More Time
10. La Mitrailleuse
11. Ghost Star
12.The View From Here
U.S., U.K & EU TOUR DATES:
July 2017
Fri 28th SAN FRANCISCO, Regency Ballroom
Sat 29th LOS ANGELES, Microsoft Theater
Sun 30th TIJUANA, El Foro
August 2017
Wed 2nd MEXICO CITY, Pepsi Centre
Sat 5th DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Hard Rock Cafe
October 2017
Mon 23rd DUBLIN, Vicar street
Tue 24th BELFAST, Mandella Hall
Sun 29th LIVERPOOL, Empire
Mon 30th BRISTOL, Colston Hall
November 2017
Wed 1st SOUTHEND, Cliffs Pavilion
Thur 2nd IPSWICH, Regent
Fri 3rd CAMBRIDGE, Corn Exchange
Sun 5th LEICESTER, De Montfort Hall
Mon 6th NOTTINGHAM, Royal Concert Hall
Tue 7th SHEFFIELD, City Hall
Thur 9th READING, Hexagon
Fri 10th SOUTHAMPTON, Guildhall
Sat 11th GUILDFORD, G Live
Mon 13th LONDON, Roundhouse
Wed 15th BEXHILL, De La Warr Pavilion
Fri 17th MANCHESTER, Academy
Sat 18th YORK, Barbican
Sun 19th GLASGOW, Royal Concert Hall
Tue 21st BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall
Wed 22nd GATESHEAD, Sage 1
Sat 25th ERFURT, Traum Hits Festival
Sun 26th HAMBURG, Grosse Freoheit
Tue 28th BERLIN, Huxleys
Wed 29th LEIPZIG, Taus Auenesse
Thur 30th MUNICH, Tonhalle
December 2017
Sat 2nd OFFENBACH, Stadhalle
Sun 3rd DUSSELDORF, Mitsubishi Electric Hall
Tue 5th TILBURG, 013
Wed 6th ANTWERP, De Roma
Fri 8th LAUSANNE, Les Docks
Dennis and Lois are legends in the music industry. Having been around since the early days of CBGB, they’ve attended over 10,000 shows. Check out the Kickstarter and help out so their story can come to life!
England’s most distinctive, multiple award-winning, platinum-selling, hugely entertaining rock gods – and one-time saviors of rock’n’roll turned national pleasures – The Darkness are back with their fifth album Pinewood Smile, due for release October 6th through Cooking Vinyl.
Marking the announcement, the band has today unveiled the spectacular album opener “All The Pretty Girls” across all streaming platforms. It’s also available for download with pre-orders of the album for the instant gratification of fans.
“All The Pretty Girls” is a glorious, hard-rockin’, autobiographical anthem intellectually examining the fact that when you’re a rock star you get a lot of attention from ladies and discussing the ethical conundrums that come with that.
As Justin Hawkins so eloquently sings with trouser-splitting vocal magnificence; “All the pretty girls, like me for who I am / All the pretty girls, when the record goes platinum / Plenty of action, massive attraction, when you’re selling out stadiums / All the pretty girls… and their mums”.
Addressing the forthcoming album and The Darkness’ undoubted relevance in 2017, Justin asks, somewhat rhetorically of the world at large, “Why should anybody care? Because if you don’t, we’re fucked!! History will remember us as the apathetic generation who negligently ushered in a dreadful dystopian age that may or may not come to be known as ‘The Rise of the Arseclowns’. We cannot allow this to continue! You may not give a shit about Brexit or Trump, but PLEASE… give a shit about The Darkness otherwise the last bastion of cultural sensibility will fall and our airwaves will be polluted by meaningless pop purveyed by arseholes and morons… Oh wait!”
In addition to the cerebral treatise of “All The Pretty Girls”, the album boasts the swashbuckling “Buccaneers Of Hispaniola”, the expletive-strewn howl of frustration that is “Southern Trains”, the hugely emotional “Why Don’t The Beautiful Cry?”, the globally anthemic “Japanese Prisoner Of Love”, and the ode to pumping out smash hit after smash hit “Solid Gold”, which finds The Darkness addressing the turbulent nature of the music industry and how they have enjoyed its flamboyant highs and spectacular lows.
Written in Putney, recorded in Cornwall and produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Adrian Bushby (Foo Fighters, Muse), the compositions have all the crucial elements of classic Darkness fare, but with added layers for the ears to peel away at… like a sonic onion but a lot tastier. It also features the drumming and vocal talents of gorgeous new band member Rufus Tiger Taylor, son of Queen legend Roger Taylor, who shares vocal duties with Justin on two of the tracks.
To celebrate the release of their comeback album Pinewood Smile, The Darkness will be touring extensively at the end of this year playing 17 dates in the UK throughout November and December including a headline show at London’s Hammersmith Eventim Apollo on December 10th (see dates below). The shows are part of a wider European tour, full dates can be found at http://www.thedarknesslive.com/tour-dates/
The Darkness has returned revitalized, re-energized and ready to take the world by the balls once again with Pinewood Smile.
PINEWOOD SMILE TRACKLIST
All The Pretty Girls
Buccaneers Of Hispaniola
Solid Gold
Southern Trains
Why Don’t The Beautiful Cry?
Japanese Prisoner Of Love
Lay Down With Me, Barbara
I Wish I Was In Heaven
Happiness
Stampede Of Love
The album will be released on CD, limited edition Deluxe CD (featuring four bonus tracks), Gatefold Heavyweight Vinyl, cassette and in both Standard and Deluxe digital versions.
THE DARKNESS UK TOUR DATES NOVEMBER
11/23 – Southampton, O2 Guildhall
11/24 – Manchester, Academy
11/25 – Blackburn, King George’s Hall
11/27 – Leeds, O2 Academy
11/28 – Newcastle, O2 Academy
11/29 – Glasgow, O2 Academy
DECEMBER
12/1 – Stoke-On-Trent, Victoria Hall
12/2 – Nottingham, Rock City
12/3 – Norwich, UEA
12/5 – Guildford, G Live
12/6 – Margate, Winter Gardens
12/7 – Southend-On-Sea, Cliffs Pavilion
12/9 – Birmingham, O2 Academy
12/10 – London, Eventim Apollo
12/11 – Brighton, Dome
12/13 – Cardiff, St David’s Hall
12/14 – Bristol, Colston Hall
2003 gave birth to one of the most extraordinary and best-loved bands in the UK. The Darkness released their debut album Permission To Land to overnight success, topping the UK charts, going 5x Platinum and selling over 1.5 MILLION copies in the UK alone. It spawned a series of hit singles including “I Believe In A Thing Called Love”, “Growing On Me”, “Get Your Hands Off My Woman” and “Love Is Only A Feeling”. It clocked up a series of awards including three BRIT Awards, two Kerrang Awards and an Ivor Novello for ‘Songwriters Of The Year’ amongst many others.
The Darkness played a number of landmark shows, including a headline set at the 2004 Reading & Leeds Festivals, as part of a whirlwind career of global touring as international sensations. The band then built upon the success of their debut with their 2005 follow up One Way Ticket To Hell… And Back, which produced the Top 10 hit “One Way Ticket”.
In 2006 Justin Hawkins left the band, checking into rehab and The Darkness fell apart. Following successful treatment, the band reformed in 2011 touring Europe and South America in 2012 with Lady Gaga. They released their comeback album Hot Cakes that year and Last Of Our Kind in 2015.
The band have now returned in 2017 with Pinewood Smile, their first album to come through Cooking Vinyl. Ahead of the album’s announcement, The Darkness toured Europe in support of Guns N’ Roses and are playing a number of festivals in the UK and Europe during the summer.
Musically Amusing 