Gig Review - The Darknes, Ash, Do Me Bad Things, Hallam Arena**** I don't know what to make of DMBT, there are about 10 people on stage pounding out some fairly theatrical rock with 2, or perhaps 3, lead singers, they get a warm reception, don't think they are my cup of tea though. Ash are a bonus, quite a decent band to see as a support. Tim Wheeler arrives onstage with his flying v held high, and on fire. Ash deliver a polished and tight set, studded with hit singles, but although they get a very good level of applause, they don't really light the place up. The Darkness then, when I first heard a single by this band, and saw a photo of Justin wearing a leopard print catsuit, I went around showing the picture to folk saying "They're going to be huge, this bloke looks like a star". Two years on, and The Darkness are where they were meant to be, they're not pub rockers, large stadia are their natural homes. The first half of the show is mainly new material, and it all sounds good, it's a shame that the band have not done what they always said they would, and get back into the studio early on to record a second album. There are lots of fiery explosions, flash lighting effects, blizzards of confetti aaaaaaand, Justin flies around the audience riding a giant white tiger, no honestly, it's all true. It's great entertainment again, they roll out hit after hit from their debut (and so far only) album, they look utterly at home here on the big stage, it's a sell out, well done those men. If there is a small fly in the ointment, I wish Justin would shut the fuck up about the whole Band Aid thing, so you had a falling out with Bono over 'artistic differences', so what, Bono's so achingly self righteous he could probably fall out with a potted palm, and the single is shit, we all know it, but it's too important a cause to get your head stuck up your arse for. Bono was much politer about the incident when interviewed on R5, Justin is just being a tosser about it. That said, they play their own Christmas single, there are sparkly Christmas trees, a large inflatable black shuck and priest and heaps of good time rock and roll, good gig, but what we really want is a new album, come on boys, get yourselves in that studio.