Mad About Rock

  IRON MAIDEN’S highly anticipated EDDFEST weekend this summer has just got even bigger with the announcement that Blaze Bayley, who fronted the band from 1994 to 1999, will be headlining the Friday night Maidenville stage. He is the latest name to be revealed, as part of the all-encompassing celebration of IRON MAIDEN’s 50th Anniversary that will be taking place on the iconic Knebworth site. “I’m so excited to be invited to headline Friday night at EDDFEST, celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden,” says Blaze. “I am so proud of my two albums with the band and I'm really looking forward to playing some of the songs that we recorded together. Can't wait to see you all at the hallowed grounds of Knebworth!” Fans can expect to hear Blaze Bayley and his band deliver a powerful set of songs from The X Factor and Virtual XI, the albums he released during his time as Iron Maiden’s lead singer. Blaze co-wrote some of the songs on those albums with band founder Steve Harris, and Friday ni...

  The Darkness merrily announce their new single ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ out now via Cooking Vinyl. Arriving on this 5th day of Advent, the beloved British rock band peel open the door to reveal a delicious new take on Cliff Richard’s yuletide song. Listen here / watch the video here . As the cracker pops, synths dance to the unmistakable melody, heavy strung-out riffs plough through as bells ring, and a powerful rhythmic stomp explodes as Justin Hawkins’s passionate vocal performance rings out, all bolstered by delightful choral harmony. Regarding the single Justin says, “Season’s greetings! Children, roasting on an open fire, their eyeballs all aglow, are weeping in awe of our latest seasonal offering. ‘Mistletoe and Wine’ represents a musical departure for The Darkness as we reimagine Richie Clifton’s timeless classic and add a few sprinkles of shoegaze and drone. Jack Frost staring at his toes? You will be too. In a good way.” The release closes out yet another triumphant yea...

  The Darkness have announced their largest headline tour in 20 years and will bring their beloved rock to arenas across the UK in December 2026. The seven-date tour will commence at Glasgow OVO Hydro on December 8th and finish with the band’s debut headline performance at The O2 in London on December 16th. The Darkness will be joined on all dates by support from the GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum selling, American country rock band Brothers Osborne, as well as the multi-million streamed UK rock band A. Pre-sale starts at 10am Wednesday 26th November 2025 here , and general sale starts at 10am Friday 28th November 2025 here . Regarding the tour Justin Hawkins says: “Powerful rock was designed to be played in huge rectangular buildings. Huge rectangular buildings were designed to house powerful rock bands. The Darkness are a powerful rock band and the arenas listed below are huge rectangular buildings. Except for the exception which proves the rule. Thank you O2 Arena… In Decem...

  Following last week’s announcement of IRON MAIDEN’s European festival & stadium tour for 2026, bringing their highly acclaimed RUN FOR YOUR LIVES WORLD TOUR to even more countries in Europe, Kilimanjaro Live, in association with Phantom Music Management, are delighted to announce that IRON MAIDEN will return to the UK next year for an enormous outdoor headline performance at the legendary Knebworth Park. Featuring a hand-picked bill of special guests, this will not just be a concert but an IRON MAIDEN curated weekend event with the biggest Eddie’s Dive Bar ever, various fun experiences currently being worked on, Maiden-themed food and other stands, plus much more besides including their very own take on the historic Knebworth Fayre! The specially invited supporting line up is: THE DARKNESS THE HU AIRBOURNE THE ALMIGHTY Manager Rod Smallwood comments, “We knew that we had to bring the Run For Your Lives show back to the UK again next summer as there was such a phenomenal d...

  The Darkness have released their scorching new single ‘Walking Through Fire’ , the latest song to be taken from their forthcoming album Dreams On Toast out March 28th via Cooking Vinyl. Watch the in-the-studio visualizer HERE Pre-order the album now HERE . ‘Walking Through Fire’ is an epic Darkness anthem with signature guitar solos, a thunderous rhythm section and high-flying falsetto flourishes which deliver an amusing ode to the band’s love of rock ‘n’ roll and the state of the music industry in 2025. Regarding the single Justin Hawkins says, “The life of an artist is gruelling endeavour, leavened with rare moments of shining success. We wade through sweet treacle every day, to make things for others to love. For we chosen few, this is akin to climbing a mountain for the glorious view, whilst studiously avoiding looking at the discarded condom that has attached itself to our stylish yet practical hiking footwear. To rephrase in less oblique tones, nothing worthwhile is ev...

  The Darkness have released their brand new single ‘Rock And Roll Party Cowboy’, the opening track of their forthcoming album Dreams On Toast out March 28th via Cooking Vinyl. Pre-order the album now here . The Darkness go hell for leather on the new single, channelling the sounds of hard rock legends such as ZZ Top, Motörhead and Judas Priest with searing solos, hell-raising vocals and a fist-pumpin’ rhythm section to create a tongue-in-cheek reflection on the hedonistic, macho music scene of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Regarding the single, frontman Justin Hawkins says, “People recognise me as astronaut pirate movie star cool and that’s obviously accurate. What they may have overlooked though, is that I am also ROCK AND ROLL PARTY COWBOY cool… which is a good 15 percent cooler!!! I think you’ll recognise that in the first listen." ‘Rock And Roll Party Cowboy’ is the third single to be taken from the forthcoming magnum opus Dreams On Toast and features a visualiser full of imagery sh...

  Following its premiere with Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2 last night, The Darkness have today (December 10th) released their explosive new single ‘I Hate Myself’. It’s the second track to be taken from their forthcoming eighth studio album Dreams On Toast which is out on March 28th via Cooking Vinyl. Pre-order the album now here . The punk rock glam stomp of ‘I Hate Myself’ features Justin Hawkins in self-deprecating mode, as he chronicles the breakdown of a relationship while pointing the finger squarely at himself. Falsetto soars, riffs swagger, choruses trumpet and solos ignite as though you’ve walked into an end-of-year party where Status Quo, Slade, Cheap Trick and Motorhead have all come on the jukebox… at the same time! It’s quite simply magnificent. Regarding the single Justin Hawkins says, “At last, a joyous, raucous celebration of self-loathing. I think without regrets we stand to learn less from our experiences – to deny them and compartmentalise them is to deny ourselv...

  Christmas will come early for fans of The Darkness this year as the legends of rock will unleash unreleased songs from their forthcoming album Dreams On Toast live for the first time at a series of intimate instore performances across the UK in December. The Darkness will perform at London’s Rough Trade East on December 10th, Rough Trade Nottingham (11th) and Rough Trade Liverpool (12th), giving fans a chance to see the band playing live in very small venues, ahead of their huge arena tour in 2025. Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday 25th October via Dice here and all fans will receive a signed tour poster. The band will be performing a very special set comprising brand new songs from next year’s album Dreams On Toast, out March 2025 via Cooking Vinyl. It will be the very first chance fans have to get a taste of the wonders in store for them, and tickets are expected to sell out in super quick time!! The Darkness announced Dreams On Toast last month along with the release of br...

  Legends of rock, The Darkness, have returned to bedazzle and amaze once more as they serve up their eighth studio album Dreams On Toast via Cooking Vinyl in March 2025. Pre-order the album now: https://TheDarkness.lnk.to/dreamsontoastPR “You know that thing when God’s breath tickles your soul and tells you to create? Yeah, makes me giggle too. But you can’t resist,” comments frontman Justin Hawkins. “God might not be the power she once was, but say what you like about her, she knows damn well that what the world needs now, is rock sweet rock. And who are we, mere mortals of extraordinary ability, to argue with the divine? “So we knuckled down and thought really hard about the best of the best, the elite songs, the life-changing music of the ages. Then we popped out a dozen bangers before lunch. And these bangers we present to you here, wallowing in an aromatic aural ragu, served atop the charred remains of our envious contemporaries… ladies and gentlemen, I give you Dreams On ...

  Lightbulb Film Distribution today have announced that Welcome to The Darkness, a warts and all feature-length documentary about British rockers, The Darkness, is coming to cinemas on November 9th for one night only, plus encores. It will also be available on digital download and Blu-ray from December 4th. A first look clip from the documentary has been released alongside the official poster. In 2003, British rockers The Darkness took the world by storm with their smash hit single ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ and the award-winning, chart-topping, multi-platinum debut album Permission to Land. Then, at the height of their fame in 2006, the band split up and fell off the music radar. Nine years later, director, and renowned celebrity portrait and beauty photographer, Simon Emmett (Underhill) followed The Darkness on their long, rocky and hilarious comeback trail. From a small pub gig in the middle of nowhere with the ambition of performing at packed arena shows once again, ...

  People of the beautiful British Isles, The Darkness called and you heeded their joyous invitation. In fact, you’ve been racing to sign up in in your many thousands. For I believe in a thing called love, you believe in a thing called love, they believe in a thing called love … it turns out that we ALL believe in a thing called love. So it is no surprise then that tickets for The Darkness’ just-announced tour sold so fast that there’s not a single one to be had for love, nor money. And now, in order to avoid disappointment at what will be the happiest time of the year, the four horsemen of the rockopalypse will mount even bigger steeds and gallop even further around the wintry wonderland, bringing these nations together and granting permission to land to all and sundry. Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Brighton – your time has come!! And Nottingham and London – what bounteous Christmas gifts have been bestowed upon you with second helpings of the smorgasbord of rocktivities which ...

  July 6th, 2023: On the eve of the 20th anniversary of Permission To Land – the chart-topping, award-winning, multi-platinum debut album which changed the face of rock music forever when it was originally released on July 7th 2003 – The Darkness today announce Permission To Land… Again; a special 20th Anniversary reissue collection, to be released on October 6th 2023 via Warner Music. Regarding the release frontman Justin Hawkins says, “So much has happened since the original release of Permission To Land that I can hardly believe it’s only been 20 years. Such turmoil, upheaval, the emotional rollercoaster ride of being nobody, becoming somebody, going back to being nobody and LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT. The past two decades have only been this eventful BECAUSE of the impact that our debut album had. I’m grateful for every second of this experience and delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the best debut album by The Darkness of all time. Join me in giving this seismic lo...

  The Darkness, Britain’s world-renowned and hugely-beloved rock band extraordinaire, have announced nine new shows for the Permission To Land 20 world tour, which will run through the UK and Ireland in December. Tickets for the new shows go on sale at 9am Friday 7th July 2023 and can be purchased via https://www.thedarknesslive.com/tour-dates/ Regarding the shows frontman Justin Hawkins says, “We, The Darkness, are delighted to announce that we’ll be hitting the road in the U.K. once again. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Permission to Land, our set will include every song from our debut album faithfully reproduced (with additional clam notes and meanderings) in the order in which they appear on the record. We’ll also play all of your favourite Darkness songs from the rest of our illustrious and tipsy turvy career. It will be the best show you’ll see this year. I should know, I’m the singer and also a YouTube music expert.” UK & IRELAND PERMISSION TO LAND 20 TOUR DAT...

  Global rock phenomenon Guns N’ Roses will headline American Express presents BST Hyde Park for the very first time on Friday 30 June. One of America’s most influential rock groups, Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Frank Ferrer and Melissa Reese are heading to London for the 10th anniversary of BST Hyde Park. Even more special guests have been announced today for Hyde Park’s ultimate rock show this summer. Joining The Pretenders, The Darkness and Larkin Poe are Dirty Honey, James and the Cold Gun, TheDust Coda, Grade 2, Bad Nerves and The Foxies. Los Angeles-based quartet Dirty Honey hit the ground running in 2019 with their debut single, ‘When I’m Gone’. It became the first song by an unsigned artist to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, and their second single ‘Rolling 7s’ followed suit placing in the Top 5. They’ve previously opened for Guns N’ Roses, as well as The Who, Slash and Alter Bridge, and have become a “must-see” at multiple ma...

  Global rock phenomenon Guns N’ Roses will headline American Express presents BST Hyde Park for the very first time on Friday 30 June. One of America’s most influential rock groups, Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Frank Ferrer and Melissa Reese are heading to London for the 10th anniversary of BST Hyde Park. Announcing today some very special guests to Hyde Park’s ultimate rock show this summer… Prominent English-American rock band The Pretenders are coming to BST Hyde Park after playing dates across the UK and Ireland. Forming in 1978 during the punk and new wave movement, the band gained success due to their innovative songwriting and charismatic performances. Despite numerous personnel changes over the years, founder, songwriter and vocalist Chrissie Hynde has remained the sole constant. With their initial records, the group crossed the bridge between punk/new wave and Top 40 pop more than any other band - their self-titled debut album went to No.1 in...