Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 07/28/2025
Photo by Simon Emmett
Multi-platinum UK rock legends THE DARKNESS – singer/guitarist Justin Hawkins, guitarist Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain, drummer Rufus Taylor — are hitting the road in support of their latest album Dreams On Toast (released March 28th via Cooking Vinyl). The Darkness will ignite stages across North America from August 29 through September 21. The tour then resumes on November 7 and wraps on November 22, 2025. The tour comes to the area on September 10th with a show at Irving Plaza in New York City.
Highly praised by critics and fans, Dreams On Toast flawlessly captures The Darkness at their peak, celebrating their influences and strengthening their sound, while also embarking on avenues never before heard from the band. It’s an indisputably grand display from the inspired and passionate quartet.
With a back catalogue overflowing with sonic masterpieces and a live reputation that most bands can only dream of, The Darkness have established themselves as one of the most exciting live bands. More than 20 years after The Darkness burst on the scene with their debut confection of rock brilliance, Permission To Land, the band’s cheeky, spandex-clad anthems continue to dazzle and amaze. With Dreams On Toast, The Darkness produced another triumphant collection of solid gold rock bangers and are set to deliver heart exploding concerts that promise to be glorious spectacles of foot-stomping, guitar-wailing, high-octane joy.
Rolling Stone UK gushes that The Darkness have “Incredible live presence,” Music Connection raves, "There really is nothing like a Darkness show, the band is great, the songs are great, and they leave the fans wanting more," while Live Music News and Review enthuses, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that The Darkness are guaranteed to melt your face during one of their live performances."
Music Existence proclaims, "This band is in a class of their own and shouldn’t be missed if you’re able to see them live," Music City Magazine shares, “They are truthfully one of the best live acts out there,” Top Shelf Music Magazine lauds, "In terms of pure high-energy rock and roll, nobody has ever rocked harder than The Darkness" and My Global Mind declares, “Their show is EXACTLY what a rock and roll show should be!”
DREAMS ON TOAST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:
8/29 Pryor, OK Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds
8/30 Saint Louis, MO The Pageant
8/31 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl
9/2 Atlanta, GA Masquerade - Heaven Stage
9/3 Huntsville, AL Von Braun Center - Mars Music Hall
9/5 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
9/6 Richmond, VA The National
9/7 Washington, DC Lincoln Theatre
9/9 Allentown, PA Archer Music Hall
9/10 New York, NY Irving Plaza
9/12 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
9/13 Kitchener, ON Elements
9/14 Montréal, QC Club Soda
9/16 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
9/17 Detroit, MI Saint Andrew's Hall
9/19 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
9/20 Milwaukee, WI The Rave/Eagles Club - The Rave Hall
9/21 Cleveland, OH Agora Theatre and Ballroom
11/7 Houston, TX Warehouse Live Midtown
11/8 Austin, TX Emo's
11/9 Dallas, TX The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
11/12 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
11/13 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
11/15 Boise, ID Knitting Factory Concert House
11/17 Portland, OR Revolution Hall
11/18 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
11/19 Seattle, WA The Showbox
11/21 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
11/22 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
EVENT PREVIEWS
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.
51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th
(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.
McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.
MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- It's been a landmark year for Ella Langley. Fresh off a sweep at the ACM Awards where she won all seven awards she was nominated for, two recent American Music Award wins, and being the soundtrack of the summer for a trio of German fans on Twitter traveling through America during the World Cup. Ella continues one of the most dominant runs in music. She brings The Dandelion Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on September 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. Special guests ERNEST and Gabriella Rose will open the night.
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Tony Award Nominee Joshua Henry to open Kean Stage's 2026-2027 season
(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.
FEATURED EVENTS
