The Darkness brings “Dreams on Toast” to Atlanta with Irish Flair from Mark Daly
Atlanta got a proper dose of British rock swagger on September 2nd when The Darkness rolled through town on their Dreams on Toast tour at the Masquerade-Heaven. Known for their glam-soaked riffs, high-flying falsettos, and unapologetic theatrics, the band reminded everyone why they’ve been a staple of the rock scene for over two decades.
All Photos By: Lindsi Rian CreativeFrontman Justin Hawkins strutted across the stage with the same flamboyant confidence that catapulted the band to international fame back in the early 2000s. Their breakout hit “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” may have been the anthem that introduced them to the world, but it’s their sheer dedication to showmanship that keeps fans packing out venues like Atlanta’s The Masquerade. The night felt less like a nostalgia trip and more like a celebration of everything bombastic and joyful about rock music.
The setlist blended old favorites with newer cuts from Dreams on Toast, and the energy in the room never dipped. Fans sang every word to classics like “Love Is Only a Feeling,” while fresh tracks held their own, proving the band is far from relying solely on past glories. One of the night’s wildest moments came when Hawkins flipped the energy, literally by doing a full handstand on the drum riser mid-song, balancing with a grin before leaping down to tear back into the song. It was pure rock ’n’ roll theater, the kind of thing only The Darkness could pull off with equal parts humor and skill.
Before The Darkness took over, Irish rocker Mark Daly set the tone with a powerful opening set. Hailing from Cork, Daly has been carving out his own space in the rock world for years. His voice, gritty yet melodic, carried the kind of emotional weight that makes you stop and pay attention. While his solo work leans into heartfelt songwriting, he’s no stranger to big stages, having toured internationally and even shared collaborations with some serious names in the rock scene. His performance in Atlanta showed just how seamlessly Irish passion can blend with the night’s larger-than-life British theatrics.
What makes this pairing so fun is the shared history across the pond. The Darkness, emerging from the UK with their tongue-in-cheek glam revival, and Daly, representing Ireland’s raw and heartfelt rock tradition, created a cross-isles energy that Atlanta doesn’t see every day. It’s proof that while their roots may be steeped in different flavors of rock, both acts share a love for music that feels alive, authentic, and just a little bit outrageous. By the end of the night, fans left buzzing, not just from The Darkness’s dazzling stage presence but from the discovery of a rising Irish talent who’s clearly on the way up. Together, the UK and Ireland made Atlanta feel like the epicenter of rock for one unforgettable night.
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