News : The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins spotted “cool” ex-classmate in crowd at Latitude 2024

The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins spotted his ex-classmate in the crowd during the band’s show at Latitude 2024 last weekend.

The ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ group played a set on the main stage at the Southwold festival on Sunday (July 28).

At one point in the performance, Hawkins asked if anyone present had been in his year at Kirkley High School in the nearby Suffolk town Lowestoft – where The Darkness formed back in 2000.

David Matthews, 49, then caught the musician and YouTuber‘s attention. As BBC News reports, Hawkins, also 49, responded: “I remember you. You were one of the cool kids. I wanted to be David Matthews.”

The camera team then zoomed in on Matthews, with his face being broadcast on the big screens at either side of the stage.

He later told the BBC about the shout-out, explaining: “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.

“There were lots of people in that audience, people who were far closer to Justin than me, they just didn’t have loud people around them like I did.”

Matthews continued: “I am a very shy person so I was looking at him just staring while he was saying things about when we were in school – it was a very surreal situation.”

He went on to say that he and Hawkins “were friends” but told the outlet that it was about “35 years ago now”. He said: “So for him to remember me was quite nice.”

Hawkins recalled Matthews’ love for the “obscure and unique” band New Model Army when the pair were at school. “He called me out and said I used to wear a New Model Army t-shirt – that’s when I thought, ‘He actually does remember and he’s not just saying generic things’.

“It’s nice to see someone doing well for themselves who you kind of know.”

Despite their connection to the local area, The Darkness hadn’t played a slot at Latitude before.

Ahead of last weekend’s event, guitarist and Hawkins’ brother Dan told BBC Radio Suffolk that it had been a “bugbear” of his to have never been on the bill. He said he was “really, really pleased” to finally appear – and described the gig as a “homecoming”.

Latitude Festival 2024 was headlined by Kasabian, London Grammar and Duran Duran.

Late last year, The Darkness were joined on stage by Ed Sheeran at their headline show in London. The singer-songwriter also served as a surprise support act for Hawkins and co. that night.

The global artist – 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.

Sheeran made an unexpected appearance at Latitude 2022, and played two secret shows there in 2015.