OK, so technically these guys aren’t new to the music business but as the Stone Gods commenced their first UK headline tour on Thursday, they were still unsure of the reaction they’d receive. Previously performing as The Darkness, the band (now with new bassist, Toby Macfarlaine) was forced to make decisions about their future when catsuit-loving lead singer, Justin Hawkins, left and didn’t come back.

Richie Edwards, ex-guitar technician, joined The Darkness in 2005 and I was lucky enough to catch them play at a German rock festival. I think I can safely say Rich pleasantly surprised most of the crowd when he took to the mic for an AC/DC medley. So it was no surprise to find that he now heads up the Stone Gods with his classic rock voice, creating a sound which makes me think of a harder, heavier Bryan Adams. Of course guitarist Dan Hawkins describes their sound slightly differently, suggesting “Appetite for Destruction meets the Metallica Black album, or Back in Black by AC/DC meets something as melodic as Night at the Opera by Queen”.[via outline] Either way, it’s pretty flippin’ good.

Read on for more on the tour...

Thursday night the Stone Gods opened their tour with a gig in Bristol’s ‘Fleece’ – a fabulously small pubby setting, and one of my favourite venues. The room was fully equipped with classically long-haired headbangers and an assortment of other oddities, all eager to hear what was on offer. Thankfully, it was not The Darkness. There wasn’t a single squeal, other than the girly yelps of my friend and I (I blame the vodka).

While I know having arena tours and suchlike tucked under your belt should help refine your performances, it was still really satisfying to see how Richie and co commanded the crowd, encouraging sing-along air-punch “Oi!”s and going for a bit of a riff-time wander among the fans. As a live act, I’m definitely sold and would recommend them to any rockers who get the chance. Just catch them now while they’re playing the small gigs because I’m sure the Stone Gods will be heading for bigger venues very soon.

The rest of the tour looks like this:

23/01/2026
Birmingham Barfly

24/01/2026
Oxford Zodiac

25/01/2026
Nottingham Rock City

27/01/2026
Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms

28/01/2026
Brighton Concorde 2

29/01/2026
London Underworld

30/01/2026
Norwich Waterfront

Click here for the band's website and entertaining tour diary.

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