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Charismatic Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins pressed pause on the day job to bring his hit YouTube channel back to life. Katie Grace enjoyed another unique insight into one of UK rock’s true national treasures.

True star quality is rare to find these days. But it’s there if you’re looking in the right places. Tonight it’s stepping onstage in an artfully untailored, oversized suit and platform boots, and transfixing London’s Cadogan Hall.

It’s weaving through insightful musical deep dives, renditions of various 80s classics and multiple recitals of Gary Barlow’s autobiography. In fact, on paper, that reads as an almost nightmarish combination. But if anyone can find a way to pull off all of that and more — with signature flair and humour — it’s Justin Hawkins.

The Darkness frontman took to the stage for the final date of the Justin Hawkins Rides Again… Again tour, bringing to life his hugely successful YouTube channel of (almost) the same name, with a Gibson acoustic guitar and decades’ worth of experiences that could only be gained by someone who has truly earned the title of ‘Rockstar’. 

Beginning with a guided tour of the room in which he films each episode, audience members got a closer look at the David Hasselhoff Knight Rider cardboard cutout which looms in the background in every upload, as well as a photograph of Hawkins and Robbie Williams, where Hawkins is, in fact, holding both the pint of beer and glass of champagne in frame. Joke as he might about the divas and bad behaviour of the 2000s music scene, Hawkins has every right to do so. He was there. 

Then it was onto songwriting analysis. It’s part of what makes Hawkins’ culture commentary so engaging: this isn’t just a music critic taking jabs at a song — this is someone who understands the craft of music both as a writer and a performer, digging into the chords and lyrics that explain why a tune hits as hard as it does. Gibson in hand, Hawkins plays through exactly what he speaks about in real time. It’s an art form in itself.

And there were, between the jibes and the laughter, moments of true beauty. It’s impossible to deny the wonder of Hawkins’ incredible vocals and Cadogan Hall rang with the sound of high notes most singers can only dream of. In these echoing moments, one could imagine a Justin Hawkins Unplugged: Live From Cadogan Hall flying off the shelves.

A makeshift ‘panel’ of sorts joined Hawkins for the second half of the show, including Jim Moir (Vic Reeves), his wife Nancy Sorrell and musical guests Mark Daly (the Darkness’ most recent support act on their US touring leg) and Bad Nerves’ frontman Bobby Nerves.

Hawkins led the crowd through a series of ‘Cerebral Connections’, linking songs and artists through niche cultural and musical connections. For the first time, though, his command of the stage was under threat by a new star.

Audience member Danny had taken full advantage of the VIP ticket, which promised the chance to be a ‘backing dancer’ for this segment of the show, and he was impossible to miss in a bright silver Justin Hawkins-style jumpsuit, not fastened at the front, and…

…well, it’s difficult to describe the dance moves on display but they earned him an invite centerstage alongside Hawkins himself. The Waterboys’ The Whole of the Moon isn’t a song famed for its ability to belly dance to but if it’s going to happen anywhere then the Justin Hawkins Rides Again… Again tour would be the place. Of course.

Part fever dream, part music lesson, part rip-roaring celebration of rock and roll, Justin Hawkins has found a niche that he occupies with real style. It’s a performance unlike any other — and I, for one, will be seated when Justin Hawkins Rides Again… Again… Again.

Images by Erica Ford