Have you noticed that The Darkness are having another moment lately (actually a long moment, over the last year)? 20 years after they first burst into the scene, then changed Christmas, and more recently they bounded back with a hit album. Now they have a massive tour on the horizon. The Darkness UK tour 2026 is their largest in two decades, and it comes with a fascinating choice of support bands.

The Darkness UK tour 2026

The seven date arena tour comes in the wake of The Darkness’ eighth studio album, Dreams on Toast. It hits number 2 in the UK Official Albums Chart in April 2025, making at their most successful album since their iconic debut album, Permission To Land.

They even hit #1 on the iTunes Rock Chart in the U.S. in September 2024 after a video of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce singing along to I Believe In A Thing Called Love went viral.

“They put us in a lovely VIP area [at a Taylor Swift concert], I had Chris Rock on one side, Roger Federer on the other side…to make matters even more spectacular, Taylor Swift actually sent me a lovely letter which was waiting for me in the VIP section, talking about how much she loves the song I Believe in a Thing Called Love. I was dad of the year, maybe dad of the century.”

– Justin Hawkins, The Darkness

The flamboyant British rockers are bound to play new songs alongside the joyous hits. Since it will be December, you might well get the smash festive song Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) too.

The Darkness UK tour 2026 includes a huge show with Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden hand picked The Darkness along with The Hu, Airbourne and The Almighty for their massive event at Knebworth Park. It will include the biggest ever Eddie’s Dive Bar, Iron Maiden-themed food, and special stands and experiences including their own take on the historic Knebworth Fayre!
 

“Powerful rock was designed to be played in huge rectangular buildings. Huge rectangular buildings were designed to house powerful rock bands. The Darkness are a powerful rock band and the arenas listed below are huge rectangular buildings. Except for the exception which proves the rule. Thank you O2 Arena!

– Justin Hawkins

(Support) bands of brothers

“Three bands consisting of seven brothers. Three of them are Perrys, from A. Two of them are Osbornes, from the Brothers Osborne. And two of them are my brother Dan and I. The Darkness, Brothers Osborne and A, veritable Bands of Brothers, rocking in a huge rectangular (or domed) building – what could be more powerful than that?” 

– Justin Hawkins, The Darkness

Brothers Osborne

GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum selling, American country rock band Brothers Osborne can play large headline shows in their own right, so this is a high-profile support band. We’re really liking this idea of crossing genres for supports.

“There was cosmic ripple in the space time continuum that led to our paths crossing. Can’t wait to prove, once again, that brothers do it best and guitar solos are alive and well.”
– TJ Osborne

A

Do you remember that era when A supported everyone all the time? We even went to America back in the day and saw them as support there, then came back from the gig to see an A infomercial playing on repeat on TV. Seriously, they were everywhere. And we STILL can’t look at Starbucks without catching a ‘don’t want your job at Starbucks’ earworm!

The Darkness UK tour 2026 – dates

11 July, 2026: Knebworth Park (with Iron Maiden)
8 December, 2026: OVO Hydro, Glasgow
9 December, 2026: FD Arena, Leeds
11 December, 2026: AO Arena, Manchester
12 December, 2026: Birmingham, Utilita Arena, Birmingham
13 December, 2026: Cardiff, Utilita Arena, Cardiff
15 December, 2026: Brighton Centre, Brighton
16 December, 2026: The O2, London

The Darkness 2026 UK tour pre-sale starts at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.  

The general sale starts at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025.

Check out musiccloseup.com for more music news, reviews and photography!