24th March 2018
at The Musician
with Last Dusk, Auger, The Glass House Museum, The Faces of Sarah, Red Sun Revival, Last Cry and Star-Industry
Darker Days festival was organised by Lilith Promotions.
Reviewed by Kevin Gaughan
Having got to the Musician at 13:00, it was almost bewilderingly heaving, I couldn’t help thinking, if many more people turn up, they’re going to have to start queuing at the door on a one out one in basis AT ONE O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON!!!
Anyway, looking forward to today’s show, I remember seeing The Glass House Museum at Darker Days last year, and the rest of the line-up were new to to me, so I was happy in my anticipation of the day’s proceedings.
First on, were Last Dusk – a three piece, gothic rock band from Costa Rica! Embarking on a mini UK tour, the singer, Carfax, looked a little like Marilyn Manson – but that’s where the comparison ends. Performing festival opening duties admirably, I enjoyed the gothic pounding bass line, my appetite was suitably whetted for what was about to follow.
Watch this video, by Kevin Gaughan, of Last Dusk, performing at today’s festival.
Next up were Auger, standing in for Siberia, who had to pull out at the last minute. Auger are a two piece, industrial goth band from the North of England. Making a HUGE sound for just the two of them, and putting in a spectacular stage performance, I really enjoyed the Gary Numan/Rammstein sound of this duo. Relying largely on backing tracks being played from their on-stage synth, it left singer, Kyle to, err, well, sing, but also act out the gestures and emotions withing each song, which added to the depth of the performance.
Finishing off with a predictable, but hugely appreciated cover of Gary Numan‘s Are ‘Friends’ Electric? Auger are most definitely on my watch list.
Watch this video, by Kevin Gaughan, of Auger, performing at today’s festival.
Following on from Auger were The Glass House Museum, who also performed at last year’s Darker Days festival, I remember enjoying them then and was looking forward to their set today.
Upon launching into their set, I was reminded of their fusion of styles – electro reggae/rock as well as other genres thrown in for good measure. I’m pleased to report, however, that it worked, and worked well, and resulted in an enjoyable, easy listening set. The drums were being piped in, but it was a good, full on, enthusiastically performed set, with no lacking of stage presence.
Watch this video, by Kevin Gaughan, of The Glass House Museum, performing at today’s festival.
The Faces of Sarah were last on before the evening break. A five-piece from London, with a strong guitar sound, the festival has definitely taken on a less goth, and more indie/rock sound, and therefore appealing to the wider audience. Fantastic vocals, performed by Nick Schultz who put in a passionate performance, and a great, full-bodied guitar sound from his three guitarists meant that this was a standout performance which left me wanting more before the two-hour break.
Watch this video, by Kevin Gaughan, of The Faces of Sarah, performing at today’s festival.
Before the break, I was wanting more, and after the break I got it! – with Red Sun Revival firing up the evening’s proceedings. Bringing the festival back to it’s goth roots, Red Sun Revival are a four piece goth band from London with a violin. A rather stern-looking Rob Leydon on vocals added to a slightly mysterious appearance of this band, but Christina’s violin was a welcome addition to the goth sound, mostly taking on gently undulating duties instead of being fore-frontal, but was a nice feature.
Watch this video, by Kevin Gaughan, of Red Sun Revival, performing at today’s festival.
The penultimate band for the night, The Last Cry, took to the stage. Contrasting from Rob’s stern vocal performance in Red Sun Revival, the vocals from The Last Cry‘s Andrew Birch were full of passion, animation and, err, sweat! Literally whipping the plentiful crowd into a frenzy, this band were full-on. Massively popular with the crowd, as they sang the lyrics somewhat enthusiastically back to the band.
The audience were clambering over each other to touch Andrew’s hands as he leaned out into the crowd. Again, a fusion of genres including punk-post-rock-goth, but it was all great.
Watch this video, by Kevin Gaughan, of The Last Cry, performing at today’s festival.
AND FINALLY on today’s line-up were four piece Belgian gothic/dark rock band, Star-industry. With a powerful, electro-rock style and two full on, show-off guitarists, looking as cool as cucumbers, these guys effortlessly rocked the wotsits off today’s Darker Days proceedings. Serious vocal style, and an attempt at crowd-surfing from one of the maturer members of the audience, which was all good fun, meant the first day of Darker Days ended on a high.
Watch this video, by Kevin Gaughan, of Star-Industry, performing at today’s festival.