The Darkness rolled into Germantown on August 31, 2025 and turned Brooklyn Bowl Nashville into a glam-rock victory lap, firing on all cylinders behind their eighth studio album, Dreams on Toast. Irish rocker Mark Daly opened this incredible event with style, class and harmonies. From the jump, The Darkness made it clear this tour is about fresh fire, not just nostalgia. They burst onstage and kicked into “Rock and Roll Party Cowboy,” a swaggering opener that pinned the room’s needle into the red. Justin Hawkins was in peak ringmaster form as he falsettoed his way through a melter of a track even stopping mid solo to give the audience a gravity defying hand stand complete with alternating open and closed legs. Opener Mark Daly held the room in the palm of his hands as the band slammed through an electric rock set, even stopping to say that he appreciated the energy of an American rock show so much more than when they are in their home territory. I was personally surprised that there would only be one opener but it made complete sense seeing how much energy this touring duo created. The Darkness did not shy away from playing the hits either as we got to see “Get Your Hands off of My Woman” “Growing on Me” and of course “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” The band is a true site to behold because they make the absolute bonkers shredding look so easy and it pairs expertly with the humor and clear nod to the 80’s hair metal of yesterday. Even the drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor, son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor, got away from the drum set to sing us a rendition of “My Only.” The Dreams on Toast tour is definitely worth your time as you will be blasted with an amazing night of rock n roll delight.

Review and photos by I’m Music Magazine Photographer/Writer Kris Cagle