The Darkness are back. Hot on the heels of last night’s premiere with Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2, the band has dropped their brand-new single, ‘I Hate Myself’, a self-deprecating anthem that’s as raucous as it is reflective.
The single, a mix of punk rock chaos and glam rock swagger, showcases Justin Hawkins at his finest. Reflecting on the song, 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 ourselves an opportunity to grow. So, it’s time for us to sing this uplifting ode to remorse in the hope that we don’t make the same mistakes again and history does not repeat itself.”
‘I Hate Myself’ is the second track from their upcoming album, Dreams On Toast, set for release on 28th March 2025 via Cooking Vinyl. Early listeners have described the track as a party where Status Quo, Slade, Cheap Trick, and Motorhead all show up at once. Expect soaring falsettos, electrifying solos, and choruses you’ll be singing for days.
Fans won’t have to wait long to hear the song live. The Darkness are treating audiences to exclusive performances during a sold-out run of Rough Trade in-store shows this week in London, Nottingham, and Liverpool. These intimate gigs will also debut tracks from Dreams On Toast, including their recent single, ‘The Longest Kiss’.
But the real tour action kicks off in March 2025, when the band hits the road for an 18-date UK headline tour. Joining them will be Northern Irish legends Ash, who first supported The Darkness during their iconic Permission To Land tour over 20 years ago.
With dates spanning from Ipswich to Glasgow and wrapping up at London’s OVO Wembley Arena on 29th March, this promises to be a tour filled with anthems, antics, and the kind of unrestrained energy that only The Darkness can deliver.
Tour Dates
2024 – Rough Trade In-Store Shows
10th December – London, Rough Trade East (matinee & evening performance)
11th December – Nottingham, Rough Trade (matinee & evening performance)
12th December – Liverpool, Rough Trade (matinee & evening performance)
2025 – Dreams On Toast UK Tour
6th March – Ipswich, Regent’s Theatre (SOLD OUT)
7th March – Ipswich, Regent’s Theatre (SOLD OUT)
8th March – Oxford, New Theatre (SOLD OUT)
9th March – Swansea, Arena
11th March – Guildford, G Live (SOLD OUT)
12th March – Hull, Connexin Arena
14th March – Liverpool, Guild Of Students
15th March – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
17th March – York, Barbican (SOLD OUT)
18th March – Edinburgh, Usher Hall
20th March – Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
21st March – Newcastle, O2 City Hall
22nd March – Manchester, O2 Apollo (SOLD OUT)
24th March – Bristol, Beacon Theatre (SOLD OUT)
25th March – Portsmouth, Guildhall (SOLD OUT)
27th March – Leicester, De Montfort Hall
28th March – Cambridge, Corn Exchange (SOLD OUT)
29th March – London, OVO Arena Wembley
Tickets are on sale now for all non-sold-out dates.
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