Darren Hayes in Sydney - the full concert and meeting experience

Seeing Darren Hayes live at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney was amazing!

Musically and performance-wise, I think he was more energetic than Melbourne. He jumped around the stage with boyish abandon - punching the air, dancing and running about. His voice was so powerful. The way he danced to the beats of Billie Jean felt so relaxed. “Of course I can dance, I’m gay”, he said, to which the audience erupted into cheers and applause. He was so passionate. I loved it!

I think I took the time to appreciate the music in Sydney, whereas in Melbourne I was overwhelmed by the whole experience - taking everything in. I sang along last night, not too worried about capturing every moment on camera.

My friends and I were in the front row - it was so good to be able to lean on the railing. My legs are like jelly and feet like rocks. I feel asleep on my feet. So very tired.

I adored I don’t know you anymore even more than Wednesday night - I think it’s the vulnerability he showed in it. Such a powerful song.

The absolute highlight of my night was waiting for him outside the venue after the show. We waited for about an hour with around 30 other fans. And the tension built as we waited for Darren, scoping the best vantage point around the van. Security was beefed up. And then his manager arrived, telling us Darren would be out but he lost his voice so he wouldn’t be talking to us but would sign merchandise. And the crowd was warned against screaming, as we were in residential street. And I took note (be very proud).

So Darren came out. And when he reached me, I whispered ‘I love you Darren’, my hand outstretched. He whispered in return ‘I love you too, Carly’, and touched my hand. ♥

Such a precious moment. Amazing. He signed the venue running sheet I got too. And signed my friend’s setlist. He is very giving and lovely. 

I am so incredibly happy. My life is complete. I shed a few tears at his concert, during the Siren's Call and when I met him. Unbelievable.

I can’t explain the feeling I get from loving Darren. Only other fans understand. The energy that surges through me when I experience his music - live or recorded, and the excitement I get from listening to him speak in interviews is so powerful. Today I’ve had a smile in my face as I walked the streets of Sydney, just knowing the night I’ve had.

I wrote him a note on his Facebook wall today:

Thank you Darren for an amazing two shows in Australia. I’m not going to Brisbane but I’m so glad I had the privilege of seeing you twice this tour. You sing amazingly and I love the passion and energy you have on stage.

This album means so much to me - I feel most of the songs were written about some of the things I have experienced. Your lyrics are universal. Seeing you sing it live brought me to tears, at both shows.

Keep making this beautiful music. You and the talent you possess means the world to me and so many others.

And thank you for meeting fans last night. You made my year after I said I love you and you whispered back ‘I love you too’.

Thank you. I love you :) ♥

Darren Hayes - The Secret Tour - Melbourne 2 November 2011

Darren Hayes made an impressive return to the Australian stage last night on Melbourne. On the back of his newly released Secret Codes and Battleships LP, he made the new songs instant singalong classics. The set was stunning - featuring pictures from his album artwork - balloons, birds, hearts and geometric shapes.

He entered the stage to dramatic opener, Taken By the Sea caring an umbrella, lit up with deep purple. Like a pop star Mary Poppins, complete with Tai Chi moves to the music. Mesmorising.

Current single Bloodstained Heart saw him sing powerfully, reaching high notes. At one point he handed the microphone over to the audience, to sing along to the woahs. 

And he shed a tear, thanking the audience for sticking by him, humbled by the loyalty and sellout show. 

Darren Hayes fans are very loyal, proving this by a queue snaking around the Forum most of the way up Hosier Lane. The crowd was a mixed bunch - screaming women - young and old, husbands, the gay community, and in front of me, a six year old girl whose week couldn’t get any better after seeing Darren and Janet Jackson - twice!

Old favorites, some not heard in years - live or on the radio - were played. To the moon and back had the familiar radio intro, Break Me Shake Me was mashed up with Billie Jean, and Darren sang The Animal Song, citing the lyrics as silly but fun. The classic Savage Garden songs energized the crowd, it was like old times.

His new stuff was just as powerful. Talk Talk Talk provided danceability, Don’t Give Up, Black Out the Sun and Stupid Mistake were wonderful.

Darren also juxtaposed the theatrical with the natural - changing jackets and applying makeup behind a dressing screen, coming out with blue flashing glasses to Pop!ular mixed with Bros’ When will I be Famous?. And then he performed a rare We Are Smug (side project from 2009) song Hot Tub Blues, languishing drunkly over a chair, cheekbones accentuated with makeup and lips like The Joker. 

After this alter ego fueled performance, he was at his most natural, most vulnerable, removing his makeup in front of a light frame, singing an almost a-capella I Don’t Know You Anymore. Hauntingly beautiful.

But it was the finale, The Siren’s Call, right after Truly Madly Deeply, that moved me the most. It is one of the most beautiful songs he has written.

Being at the Darren Hayes concert reminded me of the times I’d seen Savage Garden as a teenager. No worries, no cares. Darren was the only thing that mattered to me in the world. His lyrics are so relateable. I too cried a little, so moved by merely being at the concert, and thinking about how most songs on Secret Codes and Battleships could have been written about my life these past five months. I cried during Talk Talk Talk and also in To the Moon and Back, when he looked my way and smiled that beautiful smile. 

The show was supported by indie act and twitter darling, Brendan Maclean - a camp, costumed singer, performing originals and jazz versions Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. After the show I met Brendan and he recognized me from Twitter and Mama Mia. We had a photo, me in his sparkle jacket.

Darren Hayes setlist

Taken By the Sea

Talk Talk Talk

To the Moon and Back

Don’t Give Up

Insatiable

Bloodstained Heart

The Animal Song

Black Out the Sun

Break Me Shake Me/Bille Jean mashup

Stupid Mistake

Popular/When Will I be Famous

Hot Tub Blues – We are Smug

I don’t know you anymore

Affirmation

Crush/Spin/A DJ Saved My Life/Music

Truly Madly Deeply

The Siren’s Call

Darren Hayes interview on The 7pm Project (Australia) 2011

Darren Hayes did a series of interviews in Australia promoting Talk Talk Talk. Here's his appearance on The 7 PM Project.

:)

Yes, it's still Darren Hayes Day - Nova interview

Darren did an interview on Nova today, with Carrie Bickmore and Charlie Pickering. I'd gone to work by then so have just watched it tonight.

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 (source - and more pics here)

I seriously listened to Talk Talk Talk 30 times today. Can you believe his music has been in my life for 15 years? Half my life! I can't explain the feeling I get when I listen to his music.

His new album Secret Codes and Battleships is out in October. He hints at a tour here.

Hayes said: "I'm touring a really tiny number of dates this year. I'm doing just four dates in the UK in October.

"I'm doing two dates in America - an LA and New York show - and then in Australia I'm doing just Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in November. All of that will be announced in a couple of weeks, but that's what's happening."

Talk Talk Talk video

I am such a big Darren Hayes fan that I am (currently blogging) at an internet cafe during my lunch break, watching the Talk Talk Talk video because I can't contain my anticipation until tonight when I get home.



It's beautiful and kaleidescopic.

Enjoy!

http://www.darrenhayes.com/talk_talk_talk_itunes

I declare today Darren Hayes Day - Talk Talk Talk is available for purchase!

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It's just after 6 am and I bought 'Talk Talk Talk', the first single from Darren Hayes' upcoming album 'Secret Codes and Battleships'. Too sleepy to provide a full review yet (an early review can be found here), but I can tell you the anticipation of the download felt like the first time I played the Savage Garden album. Very exciting :) Talk Talk Talk is beautiful - classic Darren Hayes intelligent pop - upbeat sounds, deep lyrics. Thank you, Darren.

 

Australians can DOWNLOAD NOW via iTunes and all major digital download retailers.

The single will go on sale to the rest of the world later today.

Click on the link below to buy now!
http://www.darrenhayes.com/talk_talk_talk_itunes

I declare today Darren Hayes Day :)

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