London commuters got an unexpected dose of festive rock-and-roll joy on 25th November when The Darkness showed up at St. Pancras International station for a surprise pop-up performance. What started as a normal day at one of the busiest stations in the UK quickly turned into a mini-concert that had travellers stopping in their tracks.
Justin Hawkins, the band’s charismatic frontman, took his place at one of the iconic pianos inside the station, while his brother Dan Hawkins joined him on acoustic guitar. Together, the two delivered a warm, stripped-back set that felt personal, fun, and full of Christmas spirit.
The pair kicked things off with their famous holiday hit “Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)”, which many fans consider one of the best modern Christmas rock songs. They also performed a gentle and charming cover of Cliff Richard’s classic “Mistletoe and Wine.” Even people who weren’t planning to stop found themselves slowing down to listen, smile, and soak in the moment.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Darkness performance without some of their fan-favourite hits. Commuters were treated to acoustic versions of “I Believe In A Thing Called Love,” “Givin’ Up,” and “Friday Night.” Even without the full band and electric guitars, these songs carried the same upbeat energy the band is known for.
Why This Performance Happened
The surprise appearance wasn’t random. It celebrated two big moments for the band:
The 20th anniversary of their second album, One Way Ticket To Hell… And Back.
The announcement of their huge 2026 arena tour, which will take them across the UK with support from Brothers Osborne and A.
Since their second album famously features a steam train on the cover, performing in a major train station was a clever and meaningful touch.
Justin Hawkins kept things light-hearted and humorous as always. Wearing an Obituary “Slowly We Rot” T-shirt, he joked about Christmas, Santa, and mince pies while sharing how much the band enjoys getting into the festive spirit each year. His playful personality made the performance feel even more genuine and entertaining.
St. Pancras Welcomes Music
St. Pancras International has built a reputation as a hotspot for surprise live performances and creative pop-ups. According to the station’s Head of Marketing, they were thrilled to have The Darkness stop by and play on one of their well-loved public pianos. It added excitement, warmth, and music to an already lively space.
The Darkness Are Heading Back on Tour
Fans who enjoyed the surprise show — or heard about it later — have even more to look forward to. The Darkness will hit the road in December 2026 for their “Band of Brothers” UK arena tour. They’ll perform in major cities including Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton, and London’s O2 Arena.
Before the tour, the band is also set to appear as special guests at Iron Maiden’s historic Knebworth concert on 11th July 2026, sharing the stage with The Hu, The Almighty, and Airbourne.