The Darkness with Mark Daly and the Ravens at the NorVa, in Norfolk, Virginia, September 5th, 2025

by Glenn Woodell

British rock is alive and well if The Darkness is any indication. Although the band broke up in 2003, they reformed four years later and have been going strong ever since. “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, off of their debut album, Permission to Land, paved the way for their initial success and is still their biggest hit today.

Their continued success is surely helped along by having the son of Roger Taylor of Queen fame, be their drummer. But the stage antics of Justin Hawkins are a treat for the live viewer, including his jumps, the removal of his shirt, showing his many tattoos, and at one point, doing a head stand on the drum riser. His wide vocal range carried through much of the night with the crowd struggling to keep up.

The Darkness ended the set with a version of their popular hit, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, that varied between a reggae ballad, eventually turning into the popular version that everyone sang along with.

Set List:

1. Rock and Roll Party
2. Growing on Me
3. Get Ur Hands off
4. Mortal Dread
5. Motorheart
6. Walking Through Fire
7. Barbarian
8. Love is Only a Feeling
9. Giving Up
10. My Only
11. Heart Explodes
12. The Longest Kiss
13. Friday Night
14. Japanese
15. I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Encore:
Weekend in Rome
I Hate Myself

The Darkness

www: https://www.thedarknesslive.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheActualDarkness
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedarknessofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarkness

Mark Daly

Opening up for The Darkness was an Irish band fully worthy of headlining their own tour. While some of the ticket holders chose to sit outside until the main act took the stage, those who showed up early were treated to a great set by Mark Daly, who calls his band members the Ravens.