Nathan Aspinall has admitted he is preparing to make one of the boldest and most controversial decisions of his darts career by eventually ditching the walk-on song that has become one of the most iconic entrances in the sport.
For years, Aspinall’s entrance to The Killers’ smash-hit anthem “Mr. Brightside” has been one of the highlights of major darts events. The moment the opening lyrics hit the speakers, thousands of fans instantly burst into song, transforming arenas into giant karaoke nights before a dart has even been thrown.
The walk-on has become such a huge part of Aspinall’s identity that many supporters now associate the tune directly with the 34-year-old star. Across Premier League nights, televised majors and European Tour events, the song regularly creates one of the loudest atmospheres in the sport.
But despite the incredible popularity of the entrance, Aspinall has now revealed that the song is beginning to wear on him personally — and he already knows exactly what he wants to replace it with in the future.
Speaking during an appearance on the Double Tops Podcast, the former major champion opened up honestly about his relationship with the famous anthem and admitted that, while fans adore it, he has started to feel trapped by its overwhelming connection to his image.
“Everyone associates Mr. Brightside with me,” Aspinall explained.
“I’ve kept him in the top 40 for the last 10 years. You know what I mean?”
The Stockport thrower laughed as he described how the song has almost become bigger than his own name among darts supporters.
“I might be called Nathan Aspinall, but I walk down the street and people go, ‘Oh, Mr. Brightside’. It grates on me.”
Despite those frustrations, Aspinall made it clear he understands why fans are so attached to the walk-on and why it has become such a major feature of modern darts entertainment.
“Everyone absolutely loves it and it’s part of the darts now,” he admitted.
That statement perfectly captures how much walk-on music has evolved within the sport over the last two decades. In modern darts, entrances are no longer just background music before matches begin. They have become part of a player’s brand, personality and overall identity.
For fans attending live events, the walk-ons are often just as entertaining as the matches themselves.
Crowds sing, dance and chant throughout entrances, helping create the electric party atmosphere that has turned darts into one of the most unique sporting spectacles in the world.
Some players have become permanently linked with their songs over the years, and Aspinall acknowledged that certain entrances are simply untouchable because of how iconic they have become.
“I think there are certain walk-ons that are iconic,” he explained.
“Obviously Michael’s, Phil’s, Barney’s, Gary Anderson… there are certain ones that you can never change.”
The names Aspinall referenced are some of the biggest legends in darts history. Michael van Gerwen’s walk-on to “Seven Nation Army” has become one of the most recognisable entrances in the sport, while Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor also built legendary identities around their music choices.
Now Aspinall finds himself in the same position.
For many supporters, “Mr. Brightside” and Nathan Aspinall feel inseparable.
That is why his comments about potentially changing the song have caused such strong reactions among fans online. Many darts followers simply cannot imagine Aspinall walking onto the stage to anything else.
Still, the Englishman insists the change will happen eventually.
However, he also admitted there is a very specific reason why he has delayed making the switch.
“And I can’t change it until it’s my final year,” Aspinall revealed.
The reason appears to be partly emotional and partly practical. Aspinall knows the crowd reaction generated by “Mr. Brightside” remains one of the biggest attractions at live darts events.
The atmosphere created by the singalong has become a defining feature of his matches, especially during televised tournaments and exhibition events where fan interaction plays a massive role.
Aspinall has even joked previously that promoters might stop inviting him to exhibitions if he removes the song too early because audiences love the entrance so much.
When the time finally does come to move on, though, Aspinall already has his replacement fully planned.
“And I will change it to Lose Yourself [by Eminem]. Yeah, a million percent.”
The revelation immediately sparked interest because Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” carries a very different energy from “Mr. Brightside.” While The Killers anthem creates a huge communal singalong atmosphere, “Lose Yourself” offers a more intense and focused feel.
Interestingly, Aspinall has already tested the Eminem track at several tournaments.
Earlier this year, he temporarily switched to “Lose Yourself” during the German Darts Grand Prix, and the move appeared to bring him luck. Aspinall went on to win the title after using the song during key matches, including his semi-final victory over Kevin Doets.
He also experimented with the track during the European Championship, where he secured a comfortable win over Maximilian Czerwinski.
Those successful appearances seem to have convinced him that Eminem’s classic hit could eventually become his permanent entrance music when the final chapter of his career approaches.
Still, there is little doubt that replacing “Mr. Brightside” would divide opinion across the darts world.
The song has become one of the defining sounds of modern darts and regularly produces some of the loudest moments inside arenas.
Fans often begin singing before Aspinall even appears on stage, with entire venues joining together in full voice. In many ways, the entrance perfectly represents the modern darts experience — loud, chaotic, entertaining and packed with energy.
Walk-ons now play a huge role in how players connect with audiences. Luke Humphries has become strongly associated with “I Predict A Riot,” while Stephen Bunting’s entrance to “Titanium” has become another crowd favourite.
But Aspinall’s walk-on arguably stands above them all when it comes to fan participation.
The relationship between player and crowd during “Mr. Brightside” entrances has become one of the sport’s signature moments.
Away from the music debate, Aspinall also opened up about the deeper motivations driving him during this stage of his career.
The former World Matchplay champion spoke honestly about how his priorities have changed over time, admitting that financial security for his family now matters more than chasing trophies alone.
“I don’t care about trophies,” Aspinall admitted.
“I do this game because it’s my job and I don’t ever want my kids or me to have to ever worry about money.”
The comments highlighted the reality faced by many professional players, even those competing at the very top level of the sport.
While Aspinall still enjoys winning tournaments and competing for major honours, he explained that providing long-term stability for his family has become his biggest focus.
“Of course, I want to win tournaments and I’ll be buzzing to add another trophy to my trophy cabinet,” he explained.
“But, for me, it’s very much a case of trying to make as much money as I possibly can over the next 10 years.”
His honesty resonated strongly with fans, especially considering the personal challenges he has battled throughout his career. Aspinall has dealt with injuries, confidence struggles and intense pressure while remaining one of the sport’s most popular stars.
Yet despite all the debate surrounding his future walk-on plans, one thing remains clear.
Even if Nathan Aspinall eventually swaps “Mr. Brightside” for Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” many darts fans suspect there will only ever be one soundtrack truly linked with “The Asp.”
And judging by the reaction every time he walks onto a stage, thousands of supporters are not ready to say goodbye to it anytime soon.
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