After a brief run of warm-up shows ahead of their big return at this year's Download Festival, The Darkness are on their first proper tour in over 5 years.
Playing a hit-filled, 1 hour and 40 minutes-long set, the glam-rock quartet (made up of the original line-up of Ed Graham, Frankie Poullain and brothers Dan and Justin Hawkins) reminded a sold-out Academy 1 why they were the biggest band in the UK back in 2003.
Far more than a nostalgia-filled evening resting on laurels, Justin Hawkins led the band through a set littered with surprises, from old b-side 'Best of Me' and a cover of Queen's 'Tie Your Mother Down' to a handful of new songs and more.
The new songs went down a treat, the crowd providing the quartet with a stunning atmosphere, reacting just as well to the likes of 'Givin' Up' and 'Friday Night' as they were to 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' and 'Growing On Me'.
Unlike their return at Download Festival, this tour sees The Darkness playing to their crowd, their fans who were there from the beginning, and most likely followed their respective careers over the last few years.
The fans more than played their part, living up to (and at times surpassing) the reputation Manchester has in this environment.
Last time they toured the UK, Justin cut a sorry figure, drug abuse resulting in weight gain and a less-than-favourable image.
Now, he seems genuinely humbled by the reaction The Darkness are getting, repeatedly thanking the sold-out crowd for their cheers and applause, particularly during the new material.
For anyone thinking that this reunion was for the money, the new songs suggest that's not the case - heavy riffs, incredible hooks and fantastic solos, The Darkness having lost it, songs like 'Nothing's Going To Stop Us' and 'Cannonball' fitting well alongside their older material.
Scaling down from arenas didn't hurt the show's quality, which saw the stage backed by a huge jail cell around drummer Ed Graham, and a great light show that made up for the lack of pyro.
The quartet proved that the theatrics (whilst undoubtedly returning once they move back up to - dare we say it? - arenas) aren't all they have going for them.
Mass singalongs of 'Friday Night' and an acoustic rendition of 'Holding My Own' showed that The Darkness are much more than a singles band, still completely capable of putting on a stunning live show without any weak points.
After reminding us that it's nearly Christmas, the crowd were treated to a performance of 'Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End), complete with fake snow and festive red and green lighting.
It sounds cheesy, but it has to be said - Justin Hawkins and The Darkness get that rock n' roll is meant to be fun and over-the-top.
As humbled as they were, they know their shows are expected to be tight and larger-than-life, which it undoubtedly was.
More than a nostalgia act, the live show proved one thing beyond their undeniable talent - The Darkness are back to save rock n' roll all over again.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge (Follow me on Twitter @AlistairMcG)
Check out our Download Festival interview with The Darkness
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