During a recent show at Latitude 2024, Justin Hawkins, the frontman for The Darkness, came across a former high school classmate, David Matthews, in the crowd. The band was playing a set on the main stage at the Southwold festival on Sunday when Hawkins asked if anyone in the crowd had been in his year at Kirkley High School in the nearby Suffolk town of Lowestoft. Matthews caught the attention of the musician and YouTube personality when he shouted out. The camera crew then zoomed in on Matthews, with his face being broadcast on the big screens at either side of the stage.
The former classmates remembered each other as friends, with Hawkins telling Matthews that he was one of the cool kids. Matthews had no idea that Hawkins would single him out and explained, “It was random, and I had no idea, but he did a call-out for people in his class, and I didn’t say anything. I just happened to have loud people with me.” The experience left Matthews feeling surreal. Despite their connection to the local area, The Darkness had never played at Latitude before, making this year’s event a homecoming for them.
Kasabian, London Grammar, and Duran Duran headlined Latitude Festival 2024. In late 2020, The Darkness was joined on stage by Ed Sheeran at their headline show in London, and the singer-songwriter also served as a surprise support act for Hawkins and co. on the same night. Sheeran, who was raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, has had a long relationship with The Darkness, and previously confessed his intentions to take Taylor Swift to one of the band’s gigs.
The former classmate’s chance encounter at Latitude Festival 2024 allowed Hawkins to reminisce about old times in Kirkley High School. Hawkins remembered Matthews’ love for the “obscure and unique” band New Model Army when the two were in school, and when Matthews called him out and said Hawkins used to wear a New Model Army t-shirt, Hawkins was struck by the authenticity of the memory. The interaction served as a testament to the value of music in bringing people together, no matter where life takes them
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