This is Darkside’s first North American tour in 11 years. After a hiatus following their early success in 2011, two albums in the last four years (Nothing, released just weeks ago in 2025), and a two-year European tour, the New Jersey band has finally returned home.
A lack of live performances can create demand, but fans are especially pleased that Nicolás Jaar (keys, vocals) and Dave Harrington (keys, guitar) have added Tlacael Esparza on drums as a full member, expanding their experimental range and soundscapes.
Perhaps befitting the band’s name, the show began almost entirely in darkness, with only occasional flashes illuminating the band members. The songs flowed seamlessly, first establishing the vibe and then gradually building from there.
The setlist changes with each show, but this one featured two of their new songs: “S.N.C.,” which carries a deep, funky groove, and “Hell Suite (Part 1),” a setlist mainstay that is darker both musically and lyrically—appropriate given its title.
“We’re living in Hell / Nothing less / Imagine all the people / Living in Hell / Doesn’t take much”
The parenthetical notes in the setlist (shown below) offer a glimpse of what fans can expect. There’s a strong improvisational element to the performance—the good kind—where the music connects rather than getting lost in theory or running out of ideas.
The band’s two-hour set was an immersive auditory experience. The minimalist lighting diminishes their “psychedelic rock” label in favor of an electronic or experimental rock aesthetic, but it also invites the listener on a journey, much like post-rock or cinematic rock.
Atlanta’s crowd was fully engaged, and Buckhead Theatre delivered in terms of both sound and lighting. Surprisingly, elbow room was more than ample, likely due to the show being listed as “sold out” online—presumably in error—for at least a couple of months.
Still, fans got exactly what they came for: a great show! Darkside continues touring through April in the U.S.
Setlist:
Encore:
