After years of cult status and peaks of mainstream attention, The Darkness enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in 2025 following the release of their eighth studio album Dreams on Toast. The record debuted at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, more than two decades after their breakthrough debut.
That success fed into a return to arena touring — a statement that this band is more than a flash of early-2000s glam-rock whimsy. Instead, they’ve matured into one of the most reliably entertaining live acts in modern rock even as the wider genre faces continued challenges.
In a wide-ranging interview, Hawkins looked back on 2025 with a mix of pride and irreverence, describing standout moments such as a memorable concert in Hamburg on German Unity Day, where his brother Dan Hawkins turned heads with a triumphant performance of “Looking For Freedom.”
He also reflected on the band’s creative choices, including an unexpected Christmas cover — a shoegaze-and-grunge-tinged take on “Mistletoe & Wine” — and joked about his genre-bending seasonal playlists that might include anything from Michael Bublé to extreme metal.
Looking ahead, Hawkins outlined plans for “Justin Hawkins Rides Again,” a touring podcast and live show that lets him spotlight indie artists, musicians and broader cultural conversation, blending performance with music commentary.
Beyond that, one of The Darkness’s biggest 2026 highlights will be supporting Iron Maiden at Knebworth Park, a prestigious and massive stage that underscores their enduring relevance.
Hawkins has never shied away from speaking his mind, and that candid streak emerged again when he addressed his recent public critique of Yungblud’s tribute performance. Though his comments drew backlash, Hawkins remained unapologetic, framing his commentary as honest opinion rather than a feud — a stance he elaborated further in subsequent discussions.
This facet of Hawkins’s personality also plays out in his YouTube commentary series, Justin Hawkins Rides Again, which has become a popular destination for Hawkins’s takes on contemporary rock, metal and the music business — from praising underground acts to dissecting genre trends.
The Darkness’s trajectory defies the usual arc of early-2000s rock bands. They’ve long shrugged off the label of nostalgia act, opting instead to innovate on their own terms while celebrating what made their sound and style memorable in the first place.
Dreams on Toast was both a commercial and artistic win — their highest chart position in the UK since their debut — proving that the band’s blend of glam, humour and hard rock still resonates.
As Hawkins puts it, The Darkness aren’t just surviving rock’s slow fade from mainstream focus — they’re finding ways to thrive in it, whether through genre-bending covers, multimedia engagements, or headline shows alongside legends like Iron Maiden.
