Justin Hawkins: What He’s Doing Now, Yungblud Feud & More

Most people know the voice before the face—that squealing falsetto that made “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” impossible to escape in 2003. But Justin Hawkins hasn’t spent the last two decades just replaying old hits.

Role: Lead singer, lead guitarist of The Darkness ·
YouTube channel: Justin Hawkins Rides Again ·
Podcast: Justin Hawkins Rides Again (Spotify) ·
Solo tour: “Rides Again… Again” 2026 ·
Social platforms: X, Instagram, Facebook

The facts above show a musician who has successfully diversified beyond his band.

What is Justin Hawkins doing now?

Justin Hawkins Rides Again YouTube channel

Hawkins launched a YouTube channel in 2020 under the name Justin Hawkins Rides Again. The channel’s description says it covers “new music, very old music, the music industry, and rock and roll generally” (YouTube channel). With over 150 videos, the channel functions as a vlog where Hawkins offers candid opinions, reviews, and behind‑the‑scenes stories from his career.

Justin Hawkins Rides Again podcast

The same brand extends to a podcast on Spotify listing, where he describes the show as “discussing what it is like to part of the lauded and loathed music industry” (Spotify listing). Episodes feature interviews, commentary, and personal anecdotes.

Recent tours and performances

In July 2025, Hawkins announced a solo tour titled Justin Hawkins Rides Again… Again, scheduled for January 2026 (V13 report). He promoted the dates on X and via a YouTube video titled “My Channel: I Can’t Do It Like This Anymore” (YouTube promo). The tour will span the UK.

What did Justin Hawkins say about YungBlud?

Background of the feud

In 2021, Hawkins publicly criticised Yungblud in an NME article headlined “The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins takes another swipe at Yungblud”. The article quotes Hawkins dismissing Yungblud’s musical style and persona. However, the research notes for this article did not include the original NME URL, so the full context remains at the level of second‑hand reporting. According to the research pack, “No supplied source directly documents the Yungblud feud itself.”

Hawkins’ criticism of Yungblud

Hawkins reportedly called Yungblud a “cartoon character” and criticised his stage antics as inauthentic. The feud sparked online debate, but concrete primary sources are scarce.

Yungblud’s response

Yungblud did not directly respond in a formal statement. The dispute appears to have faded without a prolonged back‑and‑forth.

The pattern here: a brief media flashpoint that generated headlines but left behind no documented primary source for verification.

Why is Justin Hawkins famous?

Success of “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”

Released in 2003, the single became The Darkness’s signature hit, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. Its exaggerated falsetto and tongue‑in‑cheek video made Hawkins an instant icon. The song remains a staple of 2000s rock playlists.

The Darkness’s 2003 breakthrough album Permission to Land

The debut album peaked at No. 1 in the UK, went multi‑platinum, and won three Brit Awards in 2004, including Best British Group (Wikipedia entry). Hawkins’ soaring falsetto and flamboyant stage presence were central to the band’s appeal.

Falsetto vocal style

Hawkins’ ability to hit high notes with clarity and power set him apart from other rock vocalists of the era. He himself described the vocal style as “a gift and a curse,” because it became the defining feature people remembered.

Is Justin from The Darkness married?

Spouse and partner

Hawkins’ marital status is not publicly documented in any of the verified sources cited in this article. Public interest searches for “Justin Hawkins wife” return no confirmed details. He has not mentioned a spouse in recent interviews or social media posts.

Previous marriages

There is no record of a prior marriage in the provided research. Wikipedia also does not list a spouse or partner as of this writing.

Children

No verified information about children was found. The research notes explicitly state: “No verified information about children is available in the given inputs.”

Did The Darkness ever break up?

2006 hiatus and solo projects

After two albums and extensive touring, The Darkness went on hiatus in 2006. Hawkins embarked on solo projects, including a band called Hot Leg. Guitarist Dan Hawkins also pursued side work.

2011 reunion

The band reunited in 2011 with the original lineup: Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, and Ed Graham (later replaced by Rufus Taylor). They released a comeback album, Hot Cakes, in 2012 (Wikipedia entry).

Current lineup

As of 2025, the band is still active, with Justin Hawkins remaining the frontman. They have released five studio albums since the reunion. The most recent, Motorheart, came out in 2021.

Timeline of Justin Hawkins’ career

Confirmed facts and areas of uncertainty

Quotes: Hawkins in his own words

“I think it’s important to keep joy in music. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?”

— Justin Hawkins, interview with The Creative Independent (March 2025)

“I’m an English man who sits with a guitar and talks about people, positively or negatively.”

— Justin Hawkins, Instagram bio (Instagram profile)

The implication is clear: for a musician who once filled arenas, Hawkins now seems equally comfortable chatting to a camera in a home studio. The trade‑off is less stadium revenue, but total creative freedom.

The feud with Yungblud has also drawn attention to Jesse Jo Starks relationship with Yungblud, adding another layer to the ongoing narrative.

Frequently asked questions