FLAMBOYANT rockers The Darkness are getting ready to thrill audiences across the UK with their new arena tour.
The band - fronted by ex-Huddersfield Technical College student Justin Hawkins - will start their tour on Saturday in Dublin.
The 19-date tour will see them in Yorkshire at Sheffield Hallam FM Arena on February 11.
For the first time the foursome will be playing live material from their new album, One Way Ticket To Hell ... And Back.
The last time The Darkness played live was during their arena tour of winter 2004.
Then crowds at the Hallam Arena were wowed by incredible pyrotechnics and frontman Justin taking an aerial lap of honour around the arena astride a life-size white tiger.
Every venue on the tour was a sellout - and the band are hoping this year's will be the same.
Justin, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, said: "We are really looking forward to getting back out there and playing live to our fans.
"It will be great to air the new album and new bass player, Richie Edwards."
Richie, from Lichfield, was The Darkness' guitar technician until 2005, when he took over bass playing after original member Frankie Poullain left.
On the February tour The Darkness will be supported by two bands - The Ark and Juliette and The Licks.
Juliette and The Licks are an American punk rock band fronted by Hollywood actress Juliette Lewis.
The 32-year-old star of Cape Fear and Natural Born Killers, always wanted to be a singer, but postponed it until 2003 because of her acting career.
Theatrical rock group The Ark formed in Sweden and broke out of obscurity in 2000. Concert tickets cost £24.50.
Contact the Hallam FM Arena on 0114 256 56 56 or visit www.hallamfmarena.co.uk For information on the group view www.thedarknessrock.com
