Oi oi… grab your air guitars and tighten those catsuits, because The Darkness are back and they’re going FULL ARENA CHAOS this December 2026! 💥
That’s right, butt — the kings of outrageous riffs, ridiculous falsettos, and pure rock ’n’ roll mischief have announced “The Best Of The Darkness” UK Tour, and it’s shaping up to be an absolute festive riot. 🎄⚡
🎤 ARENA MAYHEM INCOMING
We’re not talking about your cosy little club shows here — oh no. This is seven nights of full-blown arena carnage, kicking off in Glasgow and wrapping up with a massive headline debut at London’s iconic The O2 Arena.
Twenty years since they last went this big… and now they’re back to remind everyone exactly why rock music should be loud, stupid, and absolutely brilliant 😈
📍 FULL UK TOUR DATES — GET YOUR DIARIES OUT
- 8 Dec 2026 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
- 9 Dec 2026 – Leeds, First Direct Arena
- 11 Dec 2026 – Manchester, AO Arena
- 12 Dec 2026 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
- 13 Dec 2026 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena (YES MUN — REPRESENT 🐉🔥)
- 15 Dec 2026 – Brighton Centre
- 16 Dec 2026 – London, The O2
🎶 SUPPORT ACTS — STACKED LIKE A FESTIVAL LINEUP
Joining the madness are:
- 🇺🇸 Brothers Osborne
- 🇬🇧 A
So yeah… expect vibes bouncing from southern swagger to full-on Brit rock chaos. Lovely stuff. 👌
💸 TICKETS — HOW MUCH TO SELL YOUR SOUL?
Tickets are on sale now, starting from around £42.50 + fees — which, let’s be honest, is an absolute bargain for this level of glittery madness.
🎟 Pro tip: This will sell out faster than a Greggs sausage roll after last orders. Don’t hang about.
🤘 WHAT TO EXPECT — RIFFS, FALSETTO & PURE NONSENSE
If you’ve ever seen The Darkness live, you already know…
If you haven’t — strap in.
We’re talking:
- 🎤 Justin Hawkins hitting notes only dogs can hear
- 🎸 Riffs that punch you square in the chest
- 😂 Banter that makes zero sense but somehow feels perfect
- 👖 Outfits tighter than your jeans after a festival weekend
And with this being a “Best Of” tour, you just know the setlist is gonna be stacked with bangers — from “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” to deep cuts that’ll have the die-hards losing their minds.
🐉 RIFF REPORT VERDICT
This isn’t just a tour…
This is a full-blown rock ’n’ roll Christmas party 🎄🔥
Big riffs. Big arenas. Big energy.
Exactly how it should be.
We’ll 100% be down the front in Cardiff shouting like maniacs — come join us, yeah? 🍻
⭐ RIFF REPORT HYPE RATING
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (5/5 — ABSOLUTE SCENES INCOMING)
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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