The Darkness performs at Rough Trade, Nottingham

An English band that has been around for 24 years has rocked the stage with its yet to be released record, despite fans begging for their Christmas hit.

The 2000’s rock band — The Darkness — performed twice at Nottingham’s Rough Trade yesterday (December 11), a matinee gig at 6pm and another one at 9pm.

As a band that has been around for over 20 years, you could tell that some of the fans had been waiting for this moment, be it the great vibrant music or Justin Hawkins's cocky and sassy jokes.

I can’t lie, for someone who wasn’t massively aware of the band’s songs or way of being, I was pleasantly surprised when I got to hear good music and a mixture of rockstar-typical comments.

Despite the band being excited to perform their new song which is set to be released on their new album — Dreams on Toast — scheduled for release on Friday, March 28, 2025, the fans were low-key disappointed as none of the iconic songs were performed.

The songs were absolutely fantastic, but those wearing Christmas jumpers, tinsel, and Christmas-themed headbands were not as happy to find out the band wouldn’t be playing any of their old hits, including Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End).

Despite requests to play the Christmas song, the band had made up their minds about not playing any of their biggest tunes, they played Rock and Roll Party Cowboy, Mortal Dread, Hot on My Tail, Battle For Gadgetland, Walking Through Fire, The Longest Kiss and I Hate Myself.

Having listed to their two new singles — I Hate Myself and The Longest Kiss — which were released on December 10 this year, I was happy to be able to sing along to I Hate Myself and let me tell you, I couldn’t get the song out of my mind for hours after the concert.

The concert was definitely memorable, and I am pretty sure for people who have been fans for years and years, it was an even better experience as concerts at Rough Trade allow a closer and more personal experience due to the venue's capacity.

The Darkness were one of the bands that I would happily see again, it is entertaining, it is good and as much as I am not a big merch fan, they had some really cool T-shirts, one of them inspired by the iconic Home Alone films.

At the end of the concert, right before exiting the venue, everyone got a free signed poster. I suppose it was the band’s idea of apologising for not singing the so-wanted Christmas song and wishing every and all of their fans a Merry Christmas.