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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
The summer guide: What to watch, see and do this season — including free days out
19 gigs and festivals to look forward to Martha Wainwright Cork Opera House, June 9 The acclaimed singer-songwriter marks the 20th anniversary of her self-titled debut album with a lap of honour tour. Buckle up for songs that run from chiming alternative rock to soul-baring chansons, topped off with Wainwright's wry, introspective lyrics. Charli XCX Charli XCX. Picture: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments Malahide Castle, June 17 Ireland finally gets its taste of Brat Summer. Dress code: Lime green. Kneecap Fairview Park, June 19 One third of the Belfast rappers, Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court the day prior on a terror offence. One imagines it will only further rouse the sold-out masses attending their biggest gig in the Republic to date. The Darkness INEC Killarney, June 21 Is this the real life or is it just parody? Big riffs, big hair, and a big chorus conspired to make The Darkness one of the most humongous forces in rock 20 years ago, only for it to all unravel when people mistook them for a joke act. They're back — and they mean it — with a new album, Dreams on Toast, and a tour that wends its way to Kerry. Zach Bryan Phoenix Park, June 21, 22 Country rock makes an epic return to Ireland as marine-turned-heartland troubadour Bryan rocks up at Phoenix Park for the venue's biggest address to true believers since the Pope in 1979. Olivia Rodrigo Marlay Park, June 24 The Gen-Z pop star's punchy anthems are illuminated by her love for bubblegum punk and 1990s indie. After two sold-out dates in the 3Arena last year, she brings the Guts tour to Ireland for one more outing. Lana Del Rey Aviva Stadium, June 30 Her next album is forever being announced and delayed, but one thing is written in stone: Del Rey plays her biggest Irish gig yet at the Aviva in Dublin in late June. Will her wispy anthems take flight in a huge glass-and-concrete bowl renowned for its lack of atmosphere? All will be revealed. Joe Bonamassa Live at the Marquee, July 1-3 The acclaimed blues guitarist puts his spin on the songbook of Cork's own singular guitar wiz, Rory Gallagher, across three hotly anticipated shows. Chris Kent Live at the Marquee, July 11 What do you get when you give up your phone and the internet? If you're Cork comedian Chris Kent, a new live show — and his biggest home venue yet. Jessica Pratt Vicar Street, July 13 Lo-fi confessional folk from widely acclaimed songwriter, whose 2024 album, Here is the Pitch, was heralded as one of the year's finest. The Magic Numbers Cyprus Avenue, July 15 Incredibly, it's 20 years since these happy-go-lucky siblings from London by way of Trinidad clocked up huge hits with Love Me Like You and Forever Lost. Now, they're heading out to mark that achievement with a series of victory lap gigs. Biig Piig Cyprus Avenue, July 17 Cork-born, Spain-and-Waterford-raised, London-based songwriter and producer Jessica Smyth takes influences from all over. Her music combines RnB, disco, avant-garde rock, and dance-pop to exhilarating effect, as she demonstrated with this year's debut album, 11:11. Amble Live at the Marquee, July 17 It's been a phenomenal year for teachers Robbie Cunningham and Oisín McCaffrey, and scientist Ross McNerney, who packed in their 9-5s to pursue a music career. Three years after their first live gig, they've sold out venues from Limerick's King John's Castle to Galway's Big Top and, of course, the Marquee. Cian Ducrot Live at the Marquee, July 19-20 The Passage West native, now a Grammy award-winning songwriter, has two big summer shows in the real Capital. All Together Now The All Together Now Festival in Curraghmore House in Waterford. July 31 to August 3 Arguably the best-ever line-up in the festival's history, with Fontaines DC, Wet Leg, London Grammar, CMAT, and Leftfield among the headliners at Curraghmore Estate in Waterford. Oasis Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis Croke Park, August 16-17 A year later, we'll all have forgotten the pain of trying to get these tickets and the worries of whether the gig will actually happen, and we'll be singing along happily to Live Forever in the Hogan stand. Definitely. Maybe. Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory Cork Opera House, August 19 For her latest project, acclaimed indie singer Sharon Van Etten decided to do something different: A goth-influenced album featuring her bandmates as full contributors and with songs that reflected her formative passion for the Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Being glum has never sounded so much fun. David Gray INEC Killarney, August 27 He was in the headlines recently for voicing his disappointment at a raucous Dublin audience more interested in nattering than listening to his new music — and you can understand Gray's frustration given that his latest LP, Dear Life, is up there with his best. He takes it on the road this summer, including a stop-off in Killarney. Electric Picnic Chappell Roan. Picture:for The Recording Academy Stradbally, August 29-31 Pop star of the hour, Chappell Roan, brings her Pink Pony Club to Stradbally as a headliner of Electric Picnic, with other big names, including Sam Fender, Becky Hill, Kings of Leon, Confidence Man, and Conan Gray. by Ed Power and Nicole Glennon 11 shows and films to stream Sloinne June 8, 15, and 22, 8.30pm, TG4 A search of the history of a particular surname in each episode. Learn about famous and historical figures as well as the clans which shaped the history of Ireland. This week it's Power/de Paor and the focus will be on Ó Loingsigh/Lynch and Ó Gallachóir/Gallagher in coming weeks. Aistear an Amhráin June 10, 7pm, RTÉ One The band from Bishopstown were the first Cork band to play Top of the Pops. This is the heart-warming story behind The Franks and Walters' After All, the iconic Cork 90s indie anthem, now beloved of a whole new generation thanks to The Young Offenders. FUBAR June 12, Netflix Luke Brunner is a veteran CIA operative who, up until recently, was on the verge of retirement. After his last mission in saving another operative — who just so happened to be his daughter — he's back and face to face with new villains. Stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carrie-Anne Moss. Echo Valley Domhnall Gleeson in Echo Valley June 13, Apple TV+ Thriller starring Julianne Moore, Fiona Shaw, Domhnall Gleeson, and Kyle MacLachlan. Kate is a mother struggling to make peace with her troubled daughter Claire — a situation that becomes even more perilous when Claire shows up on Kate's doorstep, hysterical and covered in someone else's blood. As Kate pieces together the shocking truth of what happened, she learns just how far a mother will go to try to save her child in this gripping tale. Mountainhead Sky/NOW A group of billionaire tech bros/friends hide away at an opulent mountain retreat in Utah for a game of poker, each with their own idea of how to solve the world's problems. Stars Steve Carell and Jason Schwartzman, from the creator of Succession. Murder Behind the Mask June 21, Amazon Prime Two-part documentary special on the incredible Graham Dwyer murder investigation with eye-witness testimony and exclusive access to the detectives who brought him to justice. The Bear June 26, Disney+ Carmen, Sydney, and Richie are determined to take The Bear to the next level. With new challenges around every corner, the team must adapt, adjust, and overcome in season four of the hit show. Squid Game Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun in Squid Game June 27, Netflix The third and final season follows Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) after losing his best friend in the game and being driven to utter despair by The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). Gi-hun persists with his goal to put an end to the game, while the Front Man continues onto his next move. Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3 Live at 11.30pm, July 11, Netflix The highly anticipated trilogy bout between Ireland's pound-for-pound great, undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs), and Brooklyn's Puerto Rican boxing trailblazer, unified featherweight world champion Amanda 'The Real Deal' Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs). Wednesday Jenna Ortega as Wednesday August 6, Netflix Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega), returns to prowl the Gothic halls of Nevermore Academy, where fresh foes and woes await. This season, Wednesday must navigate family, friends, and old adversaries, propelling her into another year of delightfully dark and kooky mayhem. The Thursday Murder Club August 28, Netflix Based on Richard Osman's international bestselling novel of the same name, it follows four irrepressible retirees — Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie) — who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun. When an unexplained death occurs on their own doorstep, their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn as they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands. By Caroline Delaney 9 blockbusters to see in the cinema How to Train Your Dragon June 13 A remake that blends live action and animation as young Viking Hiccup (Mason Thames) befriends the dragon Toothless when both species find their way of life under threat, much to the displeasure of Hiccup's dad Stoick the Vast (Gerald Butler, reprising his role from the animated movie). Dean DeBlois directs. 28 Years Later June 20 Nearly three decades on from when 'the rage virus' first hit, a small group of survivors venture off the small island where they've found sanctuary to explore their post-apocalyptic world. Danny Boyle directs; Jack O'Connell, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes star. FI: The Movie Joshua Pearce and Brad Pitt in F1 June 25 Having survived a horrific crash, veteran Formula 1 racing driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) reluctantly comes out of retirement to mentor hot young prospect Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris) in a movie made in collaboration with the FIA. Joseph Kosinski directs, Javier Bardem, and Kerry Condon co-star. Jurassic Park: Rebirth July 2 When will they ever learn? Five years on from the events of Jurassic Park: Dominion, a team led by Scarlett Johansson and Rupert Friend extracts DNA from three prehistoric beasts with predictably thrilling results. Jonathan Bailey co-stars; Gareth Edwards directs. Superman July 11 A reboot of the original Superman movie, in which the Man of Steel (David Corenswet) accepts the challenge of defending the human race against all comers, and especially the megalomaniac Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult). Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane, and James Gunn ( Guardians of the Galaxy) directs. Four Letters of Love July 18 An epic love story featuring miracles and cosmic intervention, as Nicolas (Fionn O'Shea) and Isabel (Ann Skelly) gravitate towards one another and their destiny. The superb supporting cast includes Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter, Gabriel Byrne, and Olwen Fouere. Polly Steele directs. Fantastic Four: First Steps July 25 Set on a retro, 1960s-style Earth, this finds superheroes the Fantastic Four (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach) battling Galactus, the gigantic cosmic villain who consumes the life-force of whole planets. Matt Shakman directs. Naked Gun Liam Neeson plays Frank in The Naked Gun August 8 Inspired casting has Liam Neeson playing Police Squad's hapless Frank Drebin Jr — he's the son, apparently, of Leslie Nielsen's Frank Drebin; the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree there — in a legacy sequel to the Naked Gun movies. Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser co-star; Akiva Schaffer directs. Caught Stealing August 29 Ex-baseball player Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) gets sucked into New York's criminal underworld in Darren Aronofsky's blackly comic thriller, which is adapted from Charlie Huston's novel. Vincent D'Onofrio, Zoe Kravitz and Liev Schreiber co-star. By Declan Burke 10 albums to download Cynthia Erivo – I Forgive You June 6 It's likely you haven't stopped singing along with Cynthia Erivo since her starring role in Wicked at the end of 2024. Part two arrives in November, but in between Erivo releases her second album I Forgive You. 'Thank you in advance for coming with me on this journey,' she told fans. Little Simz – Lotus June 6 The most exciting act on our list, London rapper Little Simz channels the Streets on Young, one of the pre-release tasters from her sixth album, and wears her heart on her sleeve on Free. She can do anything. MARINA – Princess of Power June 6 Before there was Chappell Roan, Marina (and the Diamonds) flew the maximalist camp-pop sound. Fifteen years after their debut album, they return with Princess of Power. Pulp – More June 6 With plays in Cork likely spiking on the release of the single Spike Island, Pulp are gearing up to release their first studio album in 24 years. Recorded with producer James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines DC), it's dedicated to bassist Steve Mackey, who passed away in 2023. Lorde – Virgin June 27 It's four years since Lorde's third studio album, the divisive Solar Power. Lorde says: 'I was trying to see myself, all the way through. I was trying to make a document that reflected my femininity.' Kesha – Period July 4 For too long, we've associated Kesha with her long-running court battle with producer Dr Luke. Period is out on her own independent label. 'My name has become synonymous with transparency, integrity, and safety, and I want to ensure that these values are upheld for myself and any future artists signed to my label,' she says. Talos & Olafur Arnalds - A Dreaming July 11 A profound meditation on friendship, loss, and experimentation — one that began as a collaboration and became a totem of their creative kinship following Cork artist Eoin 'Talos' French's passing last summer. Wet Leg – Moisturizer July 11 Responsible for one of the songs of the summer in 2022, Chaise Longue, Isle of Man two-piece Wet Leg packed out gigs and festival slots in the following 18 months. Can they repeat the trick with second album Moisturizer? 'I thought I was straight all of my life until I met my current partner — these love songs are about them,' explains singer Rhian Teasdale. Joe Bonamassa – Breakthrough July 18 With two sold out dates Live at the Marquee, playing Rory Gallagher tunes, and a third on sale, it might be the summer of Joe Conamassa in Cork. The blues/rock giant releases his latest album on July 18. CMAT – Euro-Country August 29 CMAT hasn't put a cowboy boot wrong since releasing her debut album in 2022, and with third album Euro-Country enjoying backing from BBC 6 Music, who knows how high her star will rise this year. She's already sold out the 3Arena in December. By Eoghan O'Sullivan 9 books to throw in your beachbag Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid out now Taylor Jenkins Reid is a darling of #BookTok, with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and the Six amassing much praise. Her newest book is set against the backdrop of the 1980s Space Shuttle programme about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits. Bury Our Bones In The Midnight Soil by VE Schwab June 10 The bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue returns with a genre-defying novel about a young woman living an idyllic but cloistered life on her family's estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Thirst Trap by Gráinne O'Hare June 12 This debut novel is a Belfast-set coming-of-age story about the friendships that endure through the very best and the very worst of times. The In-Laws by Sinead Moriarty July 3 A funny and relatable novel about the struggles of being a modern woman surviving the family you didn't choose. A Murder in Paris by Matthew Blake July 3 In this gripping new crime thriller from the bestselling author of Anna O, an expert in memory must uncover the truth about her family's wartime past. Not Quite Dead by Holly Jackson July 17 On Halloween night, Jet is violently attacked by an unseen intruder and suffers a catastrophic brain injury. She spends the last week of her life trying to solve her own murder in the first novel for adults from the author of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Jibrin by Izz and Eman Alkarajeh July 31 Beloved Palestinian couple Izz and Eman Alkarajeh share recipes from their Cork City café, Café Izz, that will take you on a culinary journey of their homeland. The Stranger Inside by Amanda Cassidy August 7 The latest thriller from the bestselling author of The Perfect Place. You're behind bars, framed for your husband's murder. Your daughter is slowly dying. You get one chance to run — do you take it? Tart by Becki Jane Crossley Aug 14 Can she discover who she really is before she loses everyone? A heartwarming friends-to-lovers queer romance about coming out and finding yourself along the way. By Denise O'Donoghue 10 things to do with the kids Zoorassic Trail Takeover June 26-29 Treat the dino-obsessives in the family to a trip to Dublin Zoo. The Zoorassic Trail Takeover will feature talks from 'Dino Don' Lessem, the expert who advised Stephen Spielberg on Jurassic Park and has now created life-sized animatronic giants for the zoo's new dinosaur exhibition. Children will get to hear Don's stories at these talks and view some of his fossils before they explore the new exhibition. Kaleidoscope Festival July 4-6 Taking place in Wicklow's Russborough House, this family-friendly festival offers live music from bands like Ocean Colour Scene and Texas, entertainment from Mark The Science Guy, art classes with the National Gallery, baby sensory sessions, silent teen discos, and more. Cork on a Fork Fest August 13-17 Introduce children to the joy of good food. Ticketed events include pizza parties, sensory cooking classes, and a children's food trail as well as free events like farm tours, markets, and street entertainment. Ballycotton Sea Adventures Enjoy a day on the high seas. They will bring you from Ballycotton Pier in East Cork to Ballycotton Island, where you will disembark for an entertaining tour of a 170-year-old lighthouse. Castlecomer Discovery Park An ideal destination for thrill-seekers. Situated in 80 acres of forest in Kilkenny, it's free for families to visit and enjoy its woodland walks. However, you're unlikely to be able to resist its paid activities which include ziplines, climbing walls, axe throwing and archery. Boda Borg at Lough Key Put your family spirit to the ultimate test at the Adventure of Boda Borg in Roscommon's Lough Key forest park. This interactive experience involves families being set a series of quests that involve physical challenges and brain-boggling puzzles. There are no guides or instructions, which means you have no choice but to work together. Irish National Heritage Park Travel back in time in Wexford. Over 16 sites that include a megalithic tomb, ringfort and crannog, this open-air museum recreates life in Ireland from the Stone Age up to the time of the Normans. Emerald Park The Ques' rollercoaster at Emerald Park With 45 rides from adrenaline-inducing rollercoasters to flume rides and merry-go-rounds, there really is something for everyone. There is also a petting zoo, water play area and a bumper car race track. Teidí Tours These tours involve young GAA fans making their own GAA-themed teddy and then being shown around Croke Park and its adjoining museum before testing their football and hurling skills in the interactive games zone. Ballyhass Aquapark Imagine a giant inflatable obstacle course set on the water. That's what you will find at this aqua park in Mallow. It's perfect for families who enjoy outdoor fun, water sports and jumping, sliding and bouncing as they compete to be the first to the finish line. by Sharon Ní Chonchúir Free days out Libraries are a great free resource. Picture: iStock The first Wednesday of every month the OPW offers free admission to their properties on a first come/first served basis. Corkonians can visit Charles Fort and Garinish Island for free, for example, and the main list can be found on the Heritage Ireland website. Join the Irish Museum of Modern Art for a free workshop. IMMA has a wide range of workshops on offer, ranging from Botanical Printing to Exploring Queer Identity and Creativity. Check out the IMMA website for more booking information and remember the Museum is always free to enter, with beautiful grounds to explore, and only a short walk from Heuston Station. One of the country's biggest summer family fun events will take place on July 5 - 6 on the grounds of Newbridge House and Farm, in North County Dublin. Entry is free for those who walk, cycle, or travel by public transport. Visitors can expect oodles of entertainment, great food, and plenty for all ages to enjoy. Galway International Arts Festival takes place July 14 - 27 and while some events require a prebooked ticket, the Festival Garden in Eyre Square is free to visit, along with the Visual Art Installation 'Interface' within a short drive of the city centre. The free highlight will occur on the evenings of Friday 18 and Saturday 19, les Insectes Fantastiques parade from Eyre Square and encourage onlookers to step into the Microcosmos. Expect to be wowed by light, sound, and puppetry. Get closer to nature, take a hike and visit a Coillte forest trail. You can find a full list of walking/hiking trails on the Coillte website and don't forget your picnic! Ireland is home to some incredible food markets, and all are free to visit, although you may leave with your wallet a little lighter and your shopping bags fuller. Some of my favourites include the Milk Market in Limerick, George's Market in Belfast, and Midleton Farmers' Market. Did you know that the National Archives provides a free genealogy advisory service every weekday? Located on Bishop's Street in Dublin, this might be your prompt to investigate your family history with some professional help. The daily service operates on a first-come/first-served basis. Find out more on the National Archives website. Visit one of Ireland's official national parks. Learn about nature and conservation, experience the breathtaking power of nature and see the stunning scenery. Trek or hike during the day or stargaze at night. I recommend Glenveagh in Donegal and the Burren in Clare, but each park is unique, and all are free to visit. We all know that Irish weather is temperamental, and many free things to do tend to be outdoors. Which is why our network of National Libraries are a wonderful free resource to tap into this summer. From talks to workshops, podcasting and even learning new skills, your local library has it all. By Caitríona Redmond Read More 30 special spots across Munster and Ireland that are perfect for summer dining
The Independent
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The Darkness's Justin Hawkins: ‘People saw our new music video and assumed I was back on drugs'
In 2005, the irreverent glam-rock band The Darkness were on the verge of releasing One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back, the follow-up to their No 1 debut Permission to Land. The band were unlikely superstars, riding the wake of the smash hit single 'I Believe In a Thing Called Love', with its falsetto earworm of a tune, and dazzling in their sequin-laden neo-glam style against the backdrop of a chart scene otherwise dominated by sleek American RnB and selfconscious adolescent nu-metal. It was the all-important second album moment, at a time when CDs were still a thing, charts still mattered, and music leaks were a big deal that could cost you a lot of revenue. So when a copy of One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back turned up on eBay before the record had even been released, the band's flamboyant frontman Justin Hawkins bid on it and won. It cost him £350. 'Sometimes you gotta take matters into your own hands,' he says with a shrug. He wanted to know who the leaker was, and went full Columbo on it. It turned out – and here's where I shift a little uncomfortably in my seat – to be a copy that had been sent to a journalist. 'They'd reviewed the album and slagged it off, but it was still sealed! So they hadn't listened to the record. You can't slate an album without listening to it, then sell the f***ing copy before it's even out!' Evidently, a music critic had assumed that the second album was a half-baked replica of the novelty-adjacent pop-rock that had made The Darkness one of the biggest bands on the planet, before filing their review and putting Animal Collective back on the three-disc changer. The dismissive attitude this exemplified, of both wilfully misunderstanding the band and refusing to afford them critical respect, is one that has dogged The Darkness throughout their entire career. '[Even when we were huge], people were accusing us of not taking it seriously,' Justin recalls. The band's potent mix of glam rock, stage theatrics and novelty vibes left A&Rs cold in the hyper-image-conscious era of the early 2000s. Nick Raphael, who was a big cheese at Sony at the time, famously recalled: 'The business as a whole thought they were uncool. In fact, people were saying that they were a joke and that they weren't real.' And yet, not only are The Darkness very real, but against the odds and the prediction of many a music journalist, they have survived. Yesterday they released their eighth studio album, Dreams on Toast, a blistering whirlwind of sound that darts from anthemic stadium rock to Seventies pop, heartfelt Beatlesy ballads, and occasionally even a bit of country. 'There's [experimental] stuff that I've been trying to do since the first record that I'm finally allowed to do,' Justin says. The sonic footprint contains monologues and weird noises hidden deep inside the arrangements. 'No disrespect to the noble profession of journalism,' Justin adds from his studio in Switzerland, leaning back in his swivel chair with sinewy arms raised above his head. 'I've always adored you guys, but some of you have little to no scruples. And I spotted that on eBay, and decided to deal with it, really.' It's almost impossible to quantify just how big The Darkness were in 2003. 'I Believe In a Thing Called Love' was a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic, a song with such staying power that last year Taylor Swift was filmed singing it to Travis Kelce at the US Open. Permission to Land stayed at the top of the UK album charts for four weeks, and that December, the band released a Christmas track rife with juvenile double entendre that has since entered the realm of classic festive songs – 'Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)'. They raked in three Brit Awards, two Kerrang! trophies, and an Ivor Novello, and, by the end of that year, found themselves to be bona fide rock stars. It was an unlikely trajectory for a band from Lowestoft, which had formed just three years previously and comprised brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain on bass, and a schoolfriend of the Hawkins brothers, Ed Graham (who was replaced briefly in 2014 by Emily Dolan Davies before Rufus Tiger Taylor joined the following year). Much of their rise came on the back of their attention-grabbing parodying of traditional rock'n'roll tropes and their blistering live shows, which amplified the music's catchy hooks and wink-wink-nudge-nudge lyrics. They were having the time of their lives, and their refusal to toe the party line in terms of what a British indie band should look and sound like is precisely what made them so alluring. It didn't last long. By 2005, around the point when Justin was buying back his own promo CD, the wheels were starting to come off. The second album didn't do well, and the excesses of the rock'n'roll lifestyle led Justin down the path to addiction, alcoholism, and rehab. In 2006, the band split, and the dream seemed to be over. They reconciled in 2011 and quietly built back up some of the momentum they'd seemingly frittered away. In the 14 years between then and now, they've recorded six studio albums, occasionally courting controversy with titles like such as 2019's Easter Is Cancelled. They largely existed in that liminal space between nostalgia act and current band, but mainly they felt beholden to their former selves, and to fans who wanted more of what had made them big in 2003. Justin dismisses much of what The Darkness produced during this period. 'I think when we re-formed, we were very apologetic, we were very conflict-shy,' he says, when I ask whether the band were fixated on recreating the same alchemy that had made them so mesmeric at the start of their career. 'We were making albums that didn't really challenge anybody. Every record is like a journal entry for every band – and you could tell from those records we weren't really firing on all cylinders. We weren't fighting for the things that we're passionate about. I don't really care to listen to them at all. But now we know what we're supposed to do is be The Darkness, I've completely changed my feelings about it. Now I want The Darkness to be like an art thing.' One new track, in particular, backs up this change in approach. 'I Hate Myself' is a roiling rock song with a jazzy, wedding-disco energy and lyrics thick with self-loathing. The video features Justin in prosthetics that suggest a heavily Botoxed, homogenised Instagram aesthetic gone way too far. He spends the video sitting in front of a white backdrop, smoking a rollie while the song whips around him. The radical thing about the video is... nothing happens. It promises that at some point, there will be some sort of epiphany or resolution, but nothing comes. 'It's obviously somebody who's really suffering with some body-image issues and self-hatred, and it's mental-health stuff, you know? This is proper,' he says, vaguely gesturing at what is quite a broad spectrum of societal issues. 'We're doing something [else]. I think it's quite interesting.' The reaction among fans has been largely positive, but a vocal minority were scathing. 'And then it's like, 'Oh yeah, he's become an egomaniac. You must be back on the drugs,' and all this kind of stuff,' Justin adds with a guttural half-laugh. 'F*** you, guys. F*** you. So I don't play for the audience any more, and I don't write for them. I think we've ended up with some real bangers, and stuff that sounds different to what we normally do.' Justin is talking over Zoom from the studio where he records vlogs for his YouTube channel, Justin Hawkins Rides Again – rollie constantly in hand, hair pointing in all directions. A producer friend suggested he start the channel in 2021, and Justin thought it might be an outlet for his 'encyclopedic asshole knowledge' about music. His outspoken rants and thoughtful, knowledgeable deep dives into artists as disparate as Lola Young and Viagra Boys have proven wildly popular. With 600,000 subscribers on YouTube alone, the channel has an entire subsection called 'Music Industry Observations' that has probably got one or two execs feeling a little hot under the collar, while a vlog about Maroon 5's 'Moves Like Jagger' is titled 'I'm sorry, it's just s***'. The channel has helped to shift perspective on Justin: it's hard to dismiss someone who knows this much about his own profession. 'It's been interesting,' he agrees. 'I mean, people don't think I'm as much of a dumbass as they thought I was in 2003.' All the same, Justin remains afflicted by the 21st-century curse of being wilfully misinterpreted whenever it suits the internet. I've been specifically asked not to bring up Liam Payne, and I haven't. Instead, Justin raises the topic himself. In March 2023, he posted a video titled 'What a F***ing Muppet' in which he deconstructed Payne's appearance on Logan Paul's podcast. Payne was in full bro mode, and Justin wasn't impressed, mocking his attitude and answers and calling him arrogant. When Payne died in October 2024, the video went viral. Justin faced a backlash and calls to take the video down. He refused. '[The way Payne came across on that podcast] did not look to me as a grim portent for an untimely demise,' he says. 'Instead it looked like somebody like me, trying to make an impression in an interview and getting it wrong and coming across like David Brent. And it was funny, because it was funny, you know? So I laughed at it.' He argues that to have taken it down in the wake of Payne's death would have been the equivalent of rewriting history. 'Why would I lie about having laughed at that stuff? I didn't see [Payne] as an individual who was in a decline; it didn't look like that thing when you voyeuristically and morbidly watch someone like Amy Winehouse fall apart and go, 'Oh, it's only [a matter] of time' instead of trying to intervene. 'And, you know, I've been in a situation not too dissimilar to that myself, where the world is waiting for me to f*** it up and waiting for me to die or something. Some people think I did die. Some people are surprised I'm still going. So I think I've got a reasonable perspective to be able to look at a thing like that and make a judgement – and I didn't see it. I'm sad I didn't see it – but I'm not going to take it down and pretend I didn't laugh at those things. That's accountability, isn't it, in a way.' Actually, Justin is so sure of his motives and his beliefs, he thinks cancelling can be a good thing. 'It's an important thing, it's a good tool. It's something that people deserve sometimes – especially in the music industry, there's a lot of real, real assholes. Since the beginning of recorded music, there's been really exploitative behaviours and abhorrent misogyny, homophobia, racism... All that stuff has been rampant. And until you start punishing people for it, how's it gonna stop?' Now 50, Justin still radiates pent-up energy, though he now lives a relatively settled life: sober, vegan, spending much of his time in rural Switzerland when he's not touring or on the promo trail. He recently split from his wife of 14 years, with whom he has a daughter, and is loved up in a new relationship with the singer Desiree Mishoe. If Justin speaks in thesis-length paragraphs, his brother Dan, guitarist and producer, is a tweet. He joins us partway through the interview from his West Sussex studio, which he keeps strewn with Christmas lights all year round. How is Dan feeling about the album? 'Really good, yeah.' The discussion gets a little more esoteric as the brothers play off each other, and the possibility of The Darkness: The Musical even raises its head thanks to a song Dan makes up on the spot. Yet the big questions tend to be tackled by Justin. In 2023, the band released a documentary titled Welcome to The Darkness. It told the story of a band on the comeback trail, who aren't above playing to a room of five people; the underdogs in a feelgood narrative arc – with an affectionate but slightly condescending air. When I ask what the band learnt about themselves from watching their own documentary, there's an awkward pause that I hadn't really been expecting, and Justin says, 'Want me to handle this one, Dan?' They weren't happy, basically. Once again, The Darkness weren't being taken seriously. 'It wasn't [meant to be] a mockumentary. It wasn't supposed to be This Is Spinal Tap: it wasn't really supposed to be about the narrative,' Justin begins. 'It was supposed to be a kind of set of character studies.' It seems that behind the scenes, decisions were made that morphed it into 'one of those, 'Oh, they were really, really big and then Justin took all the drugs and then they f***ed it up' narratives'. As soon as the band saw the first edit, they were devastated. 'I was upset by it,' Justin admits. 'So Dan steams in, as my brother, like he always does, and says, 'Right, we're not f***ing doing this any more,' and tried to make it go away. So I think what I learnt was... you can't f*** with brothers.' The final result is 'a bit more sympathetic to who we really are', but it still doesn't feel true to the band, as far as the Hawkins brothers are concerned. The Darkness are happy to laugh with us, but like anyone, they hate to be laughed at. 'In this life of ours, when we're all together, we just have such a laugh,' adds Dan. 'We don't take anything seriously, really; it's about having fun making each other laugh. And they just didn't show that at all.' It's tempting to see Dreams on Toast, with its discomfiting undertones and willingness to throw the proverbial spaghetti at the wall, as the sound of the band starting over. Will they be taken seriously this time? Maybe. Will they shrug it off if they're not? Probably. The record ends with a beautiful, weird song called 'Weekend In Rome'; it's part big Disney flourish, part 'musical Jurassic Park ', according to Justin, and at one point even features Stephen Dorff reading Justin's poetry written off the cuff and recorded in 10 magical minutes. It's self-assured, and weird, and kind of cool, and kind of silly. 'It's...' Justin struggles to reach for the words that really get his meaning across. 'It's... it's The Darkness, Jim, but not as we know it.'
The Guardian
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Justin Hawkins: ‘The worst thing anyone's said to me? 'I would love to go on a date with you, but I'd be too embarrassed''
Born in Surrey, Justin Hawkins, 49, wrote music for adverts and played in bands with his brother, Dan. In 2000 they formed the Darkness; their hit singles include I Believe in a Thing Called Love, and they won three Brits and an Ivor Novello before splitting in 2006. Having reformed in 2011, the Darkness toured with Lady Gaga and their 2017 record, Pinewood Smile, became their third UK Top 10 album. On 6 March they start a UK tour and their new album is Dreams on Toast. Justin lives in Switzerland. What is your greatest fear? Fear is for frightened people. I'm not one of those. What do you most dislike about your appearance? The left-hand side. My left, not yours. If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose? People who buy records. Who would play you in the film of your life? Steve Buscemi. What did you want to be when you were growing up? Straight. What is the worst thing anyone's ever said to you? 'I would love to go on a date with you, but I'd be too embarrassed.' What is your guiltiest pleasure? No such thing as a guilty pleasure. What do you owe your parents? A kiss on the mouth and a punch in the face. To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why? Whoever has to use the bathroom after my brother. What does love feel like? It's really, really nice. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Ostinato and hey. But enough about my sex life. What is the worst job you've ever done? Cockroach stamper at a dried-flower factory. What has been your biggest disappointment? The main courses are never as tasty as starters. But enough about my sex life. If you could edit your past, what would you change? Absolutely nothing. When did you last cry, and why? I cried watching the movie Coco with my daughter. How often do you have sex? Enough about my sex life. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion What would you like to leave your children? A strong work ethic and enough wealth not to need it. What is the closest you've ever come to death? A flight from Paraguay to South Africa that went badly wrong. The plane nearly fell out of the sky and the oxygen masks dropped. People were screaming but the pilot saved the day, and then apparently never flew again. What single thing would improve the quality of your life? OCD medication. What keeps you awake at night? Intrusive thoughts and caffeine. Would you rather have more sex, money or fame? Yes. How would you like to be remembered? Fondly. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? The best way to spend time is to waste it. What happens when we die? Massive DMT release, your perception of time dilates, you realise you can fly, then it all goes black, and you start again, only this time … you're a slug.
