The Darkness – Varsity Theater – Minneapolis MN – September 18th 2025

By Kyle Hansen 1 month ago

Live Nation and The Varsity Theater presents The Darkness 

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Walking into the Varsity Theater always feels like you’ve stumbled into a glam rock lounge in the middle of college-town chaos. Velvet curtains, chandeliers, and that slightly surreal bathroom situation — it’s the perfect venue for a band like The Darkness, whose entire aesthetic is equal parts power-chord sincerity and cheeky over-the-top theatrics.

The crowd was a fun mix: aging rockers in denim jackets, 20-something hipsters curious about the band their older sibling swore by, and a healthy number of people in glitter, leather, or Union Jack paraphernalia. Everyone seemed ready to sing.

The band hit the stage around 9 PM to thunderous applause, kicking things off with “Black Shuck”, setting the tone for a night of tight musicianship and ridiculous fun.

Justin Hawkins strutted on stage in a sparkling red catsuit, striking poses between every riff like a man born for the limelight. His falsetto? Still flawless. He was leaping, mic-spinning, and engaging with the crowd like it was Wembley, not a 950-cap theater.

Some standouts from the set:

  • “Growing on Me” – got the whole crowd singing.

  • “Barbarian” – heavy, fast, and surprisingly intense live.

  • “Friday Night” – perfect amount of nostalgic pop-rock.

  • “Solid Gold” – full glam singalong with plenty of swearing (and smiles).

  • “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” – the closer, of course, and absolutely blew the roof off.

They even threw in a Queen-esque mini medley and a few over-the-top solos, including one with Justin doing handstands on the monitors.

The Varsity’s smaller size worked in the show’s favor — it felt intimate but wild. You could see every expression, every smirk, every flying pick. Fans were locked in from the first note, with plenty of people singing full choruses back at the band.

Security was chill, drinks were flowing, and the merch table was mobbed (they had a shirt that said “Permission to Rock Denied” — instant classic).

Bonus Points

  • Sound mix: Loud but clear. The guitars roared, but Justin’s vocals were still crisp.

  • Lights: Simple but effective. Enough to make moments feel big, but nothing overwhelming.

  • Bathrooms: Still the most over-the-top concert venue restrooms in the Midwest.

5/5 stars.
If you came looking for irony, you found sincerity. If you came for fun, you got the most fun rock show you’ll see in a small venue all year.

The Darkness doesn’t just play their songs — they perform them like rock opera meets stand-up comedy wrapped in lightning bolts and leopard print.

They left the stage sweaty, triumphant, and still somehow humble.