Darren Hayes - The Side 2 Tour - 7th Feb 2008 - you
come and save me once again.
Manchester - Studio (Formerly The Late Room) Club.
Manchester - Studio (Formerly The Late Room) Club.
Originally posted to myspace 2/16/2008 9:17PM
We woke up at 11:50 and I quickly got dressed and run to the lift to renew the
door card for the second night. There was no way I was going down in my PJ's no
matter how late I was. Ok it’s been done in Liverpool at 11pm but not at
Midday! I’ve never moved so fast in my life. Well at least I did until I got to
the lifts. One was stuck on the top floor and so the other one wouldn't come up
as it thought there was a lift available to me. So I run down all 200 flights
of stairs. Ok I exaggerate but there were 2 flights to each floor. And we were
on the seventh floor. We decided to quickly get dressed go and find some
breakfast at the wetherspoons around the corner and then come back to the hotel
to get showered and changed. We sat and watched something on TV I have no idea
what, I wasn't really watching it as I was writing my review. We all got
showered (the shower was so powerful should that read sandblasted?) and changed
and of course I was the last one ready again. I spent ages running around
trying to get ready whilst trying to make notes for my review as well.
We joined the queue about 4pm. It wasn't as cold as yesterday thank god! We stood around and I wrote my little notes about my review and then we decided to use the rest of the notebook to play hangman. After we had disputed the rules for a bit we played it for a while. That wasted a few minutes! We could see a commotion at the front about 5:15pm and one by one we left the queue to go see through the window what was happening. You could see across the bar that Darren was sound checking. Was kinda lucky we went to get our dose of starbucks about 5pm. Hmm hot chocolate and a yummy cookie. What more could you ask for? If we'd have went any later we'd have missed what was about to unfold. As I went to put my cup in the bin I took another sneaky peek at what was going on. and take a piccie. I have a new game with my photos it’s called spot the dot that's Darren.
We joined the queue about 4pm. It wasn't as cold as yesterday thank god! We stood around and I wrote my little notes about my review and then we decided to use the rest of the notebook to play hangman. After we had disputed the rules for a bit we played it for a while. That wasted a few minutes! We could see a commotion at the front about 5:15pm and one by one we left the queue to go see through the window what was happening. You could see across the bar that Darren was sound checking. Was kinda lucky we went to get our dose of starbucks about 5pm. Hmm hot chocolate and a yummy cookie. What more could you ask for? If we'd have went any later we'd have missed what was about to unfold. As I went to put my cup in the bin I took another sneaky peek at what was going on. and take a piccie. I have a new game with my photos it’s called spot the dot that's Darren.
To all our surprise he came outside after the sound check about 5:30! Nat asked what was going on and I pointed at Darren right in front of us! Bless! I'm sure he seen me point at him. Tracey came out and asked where Darren was going if he was going back to hotel and his driver said no. I asked Nat to take a pic but Darren had moved on before I got a chance to ask him. Should have asked him first sure I’d have found someone to take it. He signed a few autographs, posed for a few pics, and came walking towards me (ok I was in middle of pavement) and asked if I was alright. I almost dropped dead. I just managed yeah as he walked past. Idiot Hayley! Idiot! That reply should have been 'hi, yeah thanks are you' or the equivalent not just 'yeah'. But then everyone had asked me that question and they all got the same reply. I was exhausted and cold. I'm hoping Darren just asked I was ok because he is sweet like that and not because I probably looked as nervous as hell, tired, cold and fit to drop! Darren came a bit more down the queue, gave Cat a hug and said he's let us get in (I wish!). He was wearing his big puffy jacket inside and when he came out it was COLD! Not as cold as the first night though.
Then it was soon time for our trip to the toilets to warm up a bit. Then we came back and waited for the doors to open.
Pre show.
We got let in at 7:30pm, it was a bit easier as we didn't expect to get let in at 7pm tonight. I got a spot at the left of the stage just beside the speakers. It was kinda the front row as no one was in front of me but the speaker at me feet kinda made me as far back as the second row if you get me. That pre-show song with that vibe still bugs me. I asked everyone around me. No one knew who it was. It seemed like FOREVER until the gig. Poor Mike looked fit to drop, I think it was the heat and tiredness getting to him and he sat down on the speaker and I sat down beside him. Mike ever adorable as he is, when he felt better let Kelly sit down for a bit. He reached between Kelly and I to get his drink and I don't know what way I moved but I pulled every muscle in my neck. Thanks Izzy for giving it a rub for me and thanks Mike for the massage. It was lovely, it really helped. Thank you! Mike and Maaike have hearts of gold. It was the first time I got to spend more than 3 seconds with them and it was great. There was a funny mirrored part of the sloping ceiling above the stage and we were using it to spot friends. I looked around and spotted Richard up on the balcony and gave a little wave. Queuing for a total of 7 hours was starting to take its toll. I was tired, my feet KILLED but soon Darren would be on again. The pre-show song started and we all got into position, put bags down (do you know how handy the side 2 tour bag is? I managed to fit 3 coats into it! lol) and got ready for Darren. On came the band and Darren.
The outfit.
black tie, black shirt and black waistcoat. White belt. Same trousers with the tiny shiny logo on his right pocket. Same shiny shoes (that I could hear less clipping on floor as I was further back from stage).
The setlist:
1. Hero
2. Bombs Up In My Face
3. Sense Of Humor
4. A Conversation With God
5. Random Blinking Light (Acoustic)
6. 100 Challenging Things (Acoustic)
7. Gunning Down Romance
8. Setting Sun (Just Shave And Darren)
9. Maybe
10. Mine (Acoustic)
11. Dirty (Drum Machine Version)
12. Casey
13. Sing To Me
------------- Encore --------------
14. I Don't Care
15. So Beautiful (The Beautiful Mix)
1. Hero
That vibe, that note that that the band start off with, before Darren starts singing and then 'outside' (sung for longer than cd) 'confidence is king.' It was like statements. Like a full stop was there. Just Breath taking. What a way to start a show.
Then that vibe rises, the guitar starts, ‘ladies and gentlemen listen up please’ then it just explodes, Steve goes for it, everyone clapping, ‘I was flying so high’.
Now HOW have a not remembered until now the dancing? Darren with his hand on his belt, thumb through the belt loop, moving hips to the beat it has. 'listen up please I don't want to be your hero'. I don't fancy him but there are certain moments when you think rawr ;)
'I’ll only let you down again'. The 'again' note is held for a while, just stunning!.
2. Bombs Up In My Face
Darren was pointed at Steve then shave in the lines were he compares things.
Youth (Steve) with beauty (shave)
Truth (Steve) with duty (shave)
Tonight Darren didn't point the gun into the audience, but up into the air. When I say gun I should probably point out I mean his fingers pointing like a gun lol. Darren did the same wriggle to the scuba line only tonight he swung his arm like a golf club and not the mic. The same face was pulled to same sex union and then Darren was fanning himself with his hand.
'It moves my boddage, it moves my boddage'. Every night it seems to get a bit more energetic and tonight Darren jumping, then the place jumping. It was fun!
Loved the high notes at the end 'they've got those bombs up in the planes they've got those bombs in the trai-iii-nnns, don't what to take about it!
3. Sense Of Humor
'Thanks for coming out tonight, thanks for bringing us here, this is the side 2 tour and this one is an album track called sense of humour'.
Again the audience harmonised that same verse. Again Darren sung 'be the shit'
I love the line 'Waves crashing higher and higher on me', the 'me' note is held and the song just seems to grow in its intensity and passion.
The end of the song is 'you will like my sense of humor'. Full stop. No trailing end notes after the singing. Just that sentence from Darren. Makes more of an impact.
4. A Conversation with God
this song always seems more breathy than on the record. More of an impact. More emphasise on the series of sentences it is. Thoughts run off the beaten track. No light house. or way back. More of a statement, note the full stops.
Another little action I noticed tonight was Darren Throwing his hands up
to the line 'hands fly of the steering wheel' as if he was showing all of us,
even the people at the back, he didn't have his hands on the wheel, things
weren't under control. There was also the action to 'turn my light off'. Darren
turned to side and pulled an imaginary light switch pull chord from the base of
his neck.
'no more linger-iiii-nnng' - the lingering note held. I love this bit. It doesn't sound the same as on the record but it's impossible to explain. It's more than notes than on the record.
There are a few lines in which the order is changed:
I'm diving
I'm not in myself
I'm falling
I'm underneath
The way the line 'I'm not in myself', the way he sings 'myself' I love it. It’s held a bit longer. 'The voice of God is laced with sarcasm in your hands'. Darren holds the hands note WOW!
Then at the end there is the bit of kate bush's running up the hill added:
I'd Reach behind,
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with god,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with god,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
Darren then said 'Thank you so much. I don't know why this city has always been so good to me but thank you so much. I love the north. We were here in September and this was meant to be a tiny club tour. We were downstairs last night and it was only meant to be the one night but it sold out you asked us back for another night and we moved up to this bigger room'
5. Random Blinking Light (Acoustic)
some nights Darren will look at someone and sing 'Random blinking light I can see it' but tonight he just sung the line Random blinking light I can feel it', he closed his eyes and looked up to the ceiling as if he was just absorbing what he felt.
'So full of love' I adore the way that the 'love' note is held, it soars and flows like the other notes he holds lo-vvvve
'I radiate the vibe' you sure do Darren!!!!
'You’ve got this tiny light that no one else can see but I see it in you because you a-rrrrre, you are' I adored that line. Because I see it in you. definitely Darren.
The 'you a-rrrrre' is sung as a few notes all following together.
Darren the joked 'Look at me bringing out my cup that's available from my merchandise stall, do you like my cup? I wonder how much they are?' (Someone shouts £10) 'wow only 10 pounds, You know some dirty little bitch stole my cup from the stage last night, I hope that she's not here tonight as I'm about to shame her out, someone wrote to me on myspace, I'm sad I actually read my myspace, and said 'I've got a confession to make I stole your cup from the stage, there was still some dregs left in it, what she didn't know that I had the runs last night, I'm not making this up, so I think she's got the runs'
Someone was screaming at Darren and he just said 'hunni you don't have to call out I can see you I can see you from here, actually I can smell you from here'
'I'm going to sing a serious song so I need to change the topic off poo'
6. 100 challenging things
each night the story behind 100 challenging things seems to get longer and more of an insight Darren explained: 'I got married to a boy as you probably know as you can do in this country' (the audience cheered) he explained 'I knew that I was growing up, I knew that I was falling in love proper because I met somebody for who's sorrow and pain in their life made me feel quite humble'
I was someone who was always banging on about my life, most of the songs I've written have been about my old man, he was a hard man, a drink man, he inspired me to be a performer but I think we all run from something at some point' What Darren said really made me think for a minute about me, and where I am, who am i….
He then said: 'I met somebody who didn't have the luxury of having parents alive to blame for what was wrong for them, he told me a story about his parents and I wrote a song about it. The first verse is for the father and the second verse is for the mother. They were from the midlands and he the father worked in the coal mines but he hated the dark and they always wanted to move to the sun, they worked all their lives to do that and when they finally retired, she died very suddenly and he got cancer and they finally got to the sun but they didn't have each other'
'He (Richard) should have been really sad he didn't have these incredible people in their life but the person I fell in love with had a sparkle in his eyes'. I remember standing there and thinking that Richard has the most incredible smiling eyes. A real inspiration, I don't think I've ever seen him not happy, not smiling.
Darren took a massive breath after explaining I think he was just glad he got all that out ok. He'd just started the song and all you heard was a crash from the bar. That's why I loved you, oh ohhh oh' the way the 'oh ohhh oh' part is sung. I think I might have mentioned this word before, stunning! ;)
I love Steve's added vocals on that whispering bit, '100 challenging 100 challenging 100 challenging things a boy can do'. Then the very end note 'do' was held for soooo long. Breathe taking.
Darren seemed to be taking quite a few cough sweets tonight, I think everyone was hoping he wasn't getting sick. Thankfully he was fine at Bristol.
7. Gunning down Romance
Darren asked: 'how you feeling?' *cue much screaming!*. I stood observing shave and noticed how he crosses his hands over the keys. It's normally something done by someone who taught themselves to play as I teacher wont teach you to cross your hands as you’re not meant to. For a split second I wondered if the genius that is shave taught himself to play piano. How my mind wanders! And Go steve and your solo!, he was really rocking out. On this tour especially you get to see the full potential of the band.
Darren took his tie off and wrapped it around hand and was boxing to steve- steve didn't seem bothered and was standing side on to Darren. That's one way to cure what to do with the tie.
'console myself that hallmark cards are true, I. REALLY. DO’. Such an impact. I love the way that line is sung.
'I'm gunning down romance, it never did a thing for me' and the whole place singing along, screaming along.
With all going on with me at the minute 'take these broken wings and learn to fly’ seemed to hit me like a punch in the stomach.
8. Setting Sun
Darren said: 'Mr Justin Shave!, he helped write and produce my last double record which was a huge feat. We were in the studio, messing about with a song and I'm going to explain like I know what I'm talking about, I blog!. He had the keys that a patch that had everything in it, it was meant to be part of a song but I said lets write a song and we wrote this song, it is possible to play this entire song with just one finger'
*shave tried the keys and they didn't sound like setting sun and he run back to computer to change the setting on the keytar so it has the patches for setting sun (Setting on keytar is R11)*
meanwhile Darren is joking: 'imagine a strapping young man here' (Darren looked back and waved at the place where shave was standing) 'like this one!' (shave was back)
the word urgency, Darren moves his head so its lean on one shoulder then the other like his head is going left the right 'cee-cee-cee' the next time Darren sung urgency it was just a really high note.
Darren messed up the bit about 'singing songs about my mammy' and said he just fucked that one up and shave restarted the second verse. The key lower again tonight. Darren rested an elbow on shave left shoulder, with a fist against shave's ear and Darren standing behind shave. Kinda hard to explain.
I love the way Darren whispers ‘down, down, down’ then screams 'so low!'
9. Maybe
'Maybe your gone you had to get out of here' my god this song was always a favourite always made me emotional and although I've never cried at a gig I came close to it. When Darren sung the line 'heart beating in fragile hands' he cupped hand and squeezed his fingers like a beating heart. Darren looked over at Tracey at side of stage and emotion was written all over his face. Was a sweet moment. Then he sung the line 'party was over but you realised' and looked at me. Like I wasn't emotional before! The last line of the song: 'Maybe you are finally coming home' the home note is held. My god awesome!!! After the song Darren mouthed sorry to Steve. I don't know why.
9. Mine (Acoustic)
Darren said: 'Steve give us a drum loop, this was one of my favourite ever savage garden songs called mine'. (last night was GDR lol!) Darren sat down on his own stool for a bit of the song, but it was going down really low so he had one foot firmly on floor to keep a reasonable height. 'I'll all bear of all the crosses and crucifixes that you can provide' Darren holds provide note like on the CD. Do I need to say stunning? Then to all our surprised and amusement Darren sung a bit of Leona Lewis' bleeding love at end ' keep bleeding, I keep keep bleeding in love I keep keep bleeding in love' Darren said Thank you! (and then just for a reaction) 'cheeky little buggers. cheeky little fuckers!'
11. Dirty
clap x 3, clap twice x 1, etc etc.. (Darren changed the clapping half way through to clap once x1 and clap twice x1. it was confusing!)
tell me who in this house know about the quake ?
band : we do (woo hoo band got it right tonight)
I mean really, really,
if you know how to party say yeah
*yeah*
if you know how to party say oh yeah
*oh yeah*
verse of all around me :
Like cold chardonnay chilled for a day,
You're smooth and crisp and on display.
Like Cartier, Armani, like TAG, Gucci, Versace.
In the middle of the night you're a kiss so long.
You're the only good thing when all is wrong.
You're a magic time reversal clock.
You're the fries on the side with a cherry on top.
You're sleek, velvet, gold lame, patent leather, enchante.
You're a legend, you're a glamor queen.
God I'm running out of words but you know what I mean...
(Hold the 'mean' note at the end, this one is STUNNING)
verse of dirty:
lookin' like first class acting like a cheap date..
if you want to i can be dirty too i can spin you around pick you up and go
down if you want to I'M just like you, I'LL do the dirty things you do.
*First verse of I want you and chorus*
you're dirty I like that!
*second verse of dirty*
walk into a room imperceptible boom. get this monkey off my back any dark space would do to show you baby
if you want to i can be dirty too i can spin you around pick you up and go
down if you want to I'M just like you, I'LL do the dirty things you do.
*third verse of dirty*
why don't you tell me your sign?
if you want to i can be dirty too i can spin you around pick you up and go (doesn't sing down just pointed down, you know that look though he doesn't need to say it ;) ) if you want to I'M just like you, I'LL do the dirty things you do.
If you want to, yeah yeah right now, yeah like that.;)
verse of MMI:
Did you ever get the feeling that universe is leaning.. Must have been a future shock.
Verse of INXS need you tonight:
All you got is this moment
The 21st Century's yesterday
You can care all you want
Everybody does yeah that's okay
So slide over here
And give me a moment
You moves are so raw
I've got to let you know
I've got to let you know
You're one of my kind
When Darren sung part of need you tonight, I recognised that rift almost straight away! Gotta love Mickie! He didn't laugh just straight away said sorry at the end of the song.
12. Casey
Tonight Darren never spoke about recording just said I want to thank you Manchester and started song. He looked at me and sung the line 'when we were amazing' and I just smiled and he grinned back. He always seems to melt my heart then the next song is sing to me and it chokes me! Everyone was clapping, singing, could hardly hear Darren It was so fun. Definitely one for the masses. Definitely the best I've heard it yet, sometimes audience participation is a good thing ;) 'casey! When you goooooooo!' the whole audience screaming, singing, you really feel less alone, sooo connected to Darren, the song, each other. I love the 'Its 1989’ bit, the vibe of the song starts building, Love the acoustic 'yellow car' bit. That bit just flows so easily.
'oh we were amazing, I know things have changed' then it just explodes and everyone claps. 'we don't have to go far'
he added a few lines in the middle, I have no idea what it is from, no doubt someone will know it’s been bugging me!:
'It was the summer of love, it was the sunny of innocence, the summer of love, the summer of innocence, casey when you go.. '
13. Sing to Me
Darren screamed 'we're gonna leave!' then launched into sing to me.
Certain lines stand out and work so well live:
'be alright if you sing to me'
'trying to sing without your song'. .the audience singing along.
The chorus of Darren is AWESOME, the way it just explodes 'ooooh'
The whole place just singing this bit:
If this is what you want then (the way the then note is held is awesome)
Maybe it's just meant to be,
That you would sing to me.
Maybe I'm just lost at sea.
Could you come sing to me? (quite a lot of the time Darren was singing 'sing a melody for me' when it should have been 'to me') but I damn well love this song live. Not much else to say.
------------- Encore --------------
Darren thanked us, asked us to thank his band and left the stage . He left and came back, not a lot else tonight.
Darren came back out and I think he recognised more than a few familiar faces and asked 'Do you all just come on the tour bus and come to every show?' ..well the train and almost every show! ;)
The Darren another rude joke. Your shocked aren't you? lol
Darren said: 'to sit on that stool was very emasculinating, I want it up! How do I get it up? (Steve pulled at the handle then gave up) Can I try yours Steve? (Steve gave Darren his stool)
'no more linger-iiii-nnng' - the lingering note held. I love this bit. It doesn't sound the same as on the record but it's impossible to explain. It's more than notes than on the record.
There are a few lines in which the order is changed:
I'm diving
I'm not in myself
I'm falling
I'm underneath
The way the line 'I'm not in myself', the way he sings 'myself' I love it. It’s held a bit longer. 'The voice of God is laced with sarcasm in your hands'. Darren holds the hands note WOW!
Then at the end there is the bit of kate bush's running up the hill added:
I'd Reach behind,
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with god,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
And if I only could,
I’d make a deal with god,
And I’d get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
Darren then said 'Thank you so much. I don't know why this city has always been so good to me but thank you so much. I love the north. We were here in September and this was meant to be a tiny club tour. We were downstairs last night and it was only meant to be the one night but it sold out you asked us back for another night and we moved up to this bigger room'
5. Random Blinking Light (Acoustic)
some nights Darren will look at someone and sing 'Random blinking light I can see it' but tonight he just sung the line Random blinking light I can feel it', he closed his eyes and looked up to the ceiling as if he was just absorbing what he felt.
'So full of love' I adore the way that the 'love' note is held, it soars and flows like the other notes he holds lo-vvvve
'I radiate the vibe' you sure do Darren!!!!
'You’ve got this tiny light that no one else can see but I see it in you because you a-rrrrre, you are' I adored that line. Because I see it in you. definitely Darren.
The 'you a-rrrrre' is sung as a few notes all following together.
Darren the joked 'Look at me bringing out my cup that's available from my merchandise stall, do you like my cup? I wonder how much they are?' (Someone shouts £10) 'wow only 10 pounds, You know some dirty little bitch stole my cup from the stage last night, I hope that she's not here tonight as I'm about to shame her out, someone wrote to me on myspace, I'm sad I actually read my myspace, and said 'I've got a confession to make I stole your cup from the stage, there was still some dregs left in it, what she didn't know that I had the runs last night, I'm not making this up, so I think she's got the runs'
Someone was screaming at Darren and he just said 'hunni you don't have to call out I can see you I can see you from here, actually I can smell you from here'
'I'm going to sing a serious song so I need to change the topic off poo'
6. 100 challenging things
each night the story behind 100 challenging things seems to get longer and more of an insight Darren explained: 'I got married to a boy as you probably know as you can do in this country' (the audience cheered) he explained 'I knew that I was growing up, I knew that I was falling in love proper because I met somebody for who's sorrow and pain in their life made me feel quite humble'
I was someone who was always banging on about my life, most of the songs I've written have been about my old man, he was a hard man, a drink man, he inspired me to be a performer but I think we all run from something at some point' What Darren said really made me think for a minute about me, and where I am, who am i….
He then said: 'I met somebody who didn't have the luxury of having parents alive to blame for what was wrong for them, he told me a story about his parents and I wrote a song about it. The first verse is for the father and the second verse is for the mother. They were from the midlands and he the father worked in the coal mines but he hated the dark and they always wanted to move to the sun, they worked all their lives to do that and when they finally retired, she died very suddenly and he got cancer and they finally got to the sun but they didn't have each other'
'He (Richard) should have been really sad he didn't have these incredible people in their life but the person I fell in love with had a sparkle in his eyes'. I remember standing there and thinking that Richard has the most incredible smiling eyes. A real inspiration, I don't think I've ever seen him not happy, not smiling.
Darren took a massive breath after explaining I think he was just glad he got all that out ok. He'd just started the song and all you heard was a crash from the bar. That's why I loved you, oh ohhh oh' the way the 'oh ohhh oh' part is sung. I think I might have mentioned this word before, stunning! ;)
I love Steve's added vocals on that whispering bit, '100 challenging 100 challenging 100 challenging things a boy can do'. Then the very end note 'do' was held for soooo long. Breathe taking.
Darren seemed to be taking quite a few cough sweets tonight, I think everyone was hoping he wasn't getting sick. Thankfully he was fine at Bristol.
7. Gunning down Romance
Darren asked: 'how you feeling?' *cue much screaming!*. I stood observing shave and noticed how he crosses his hands over the keys. It's normally something done by someone who taught themselves to play as I teacher wont teach you to cross your hands as you’re not meant to. For a split second I wondered if the genius that is shave taught himself to play piano. How my mind wanders! And Go steve and your solo!, he was really rocking out. On this tour especially you get to see the full potential of the band.
Darren took his tie off and wrapped it around hand and was boxing to steve- steve didn't seem bothered and was standing side on to Darren. That's one way to cure what to do with the tie.
'console myself that hallmark cards are true, I. REALLY. DO’. Such an impact. I love the way that line is sung.
'I'm gunning down romance, it never did a thing for me' and the whole place singing along, screaming along.
With all going on with me at the minute 'take these broken wings and learn to fly’ seemed to hit me like a punch in the stomach.
8. Setting Sun
Darren said: 'Mr Justin Shave!, he helped write and produce my last double record which was a huge feat. We were in the studio, messing about with a song and I'm going to explain like I know what I'm talking about, I blog!. He had the keys that a patch that had everything in it, it was meant to be part of a song but I said lets write a song and we wrote this song, it is possible to play this entire song with just one finger'
*shave tried the keys and they didn't sound like setting sun and he run back to computer to change the setting on the keytar so it has the patches for setting sun (Setting on keytar is R11)*
meanwhile Darren is joking: 'imagine a strapping young man here' (Darren looked back and waved at the place where shave was standing) 'like this one!' (shave was back)
the word urgency, Darren moves his head so its lean on one shoulder then the other like his head is going left the right 'cee-cee-cee' the next time Darren sung urgency it was just a really high note.
Darren messed up the bit about 'singing songs about my mammy' and said he just fucked that one up and shave restarted the second verse. The key lower again tonight. Darren rested an elbow on shave left shoulder, with a fist against shave's ear and Darren standing behind shave. Kinda hard to explain.
I love the way Darren whispers ‘down, down, down’ then screams 'so low!'
9. Maybe
'Maybe your gone you had to get out of here' my god this song was always a favourite always made me emotional and although I've never cried at a gig I came close to it. When Darren sung the line 'heart beating in fragile hands' he cupped hand and squeezed his fingers like a beating heart. Darren looked over at Tracey at side of stage and emotion was written all over his face. Was a sweet moment. Then he sung the line 'party was over but you realised' and looked at me. Like I wasn't emotional before! The last line of the song: 'Maybe you are finally coming home' the home note is held. My god awesome!!! After the song Darren mouthed sorry to Steve. I don't know why.
9. Mine (Acoustic)
Darren said: 'Steve give us a drum loop, this was one of my favourite ever savage garden songs called mine'. (last night was GDR lol!) Darren sat down on his own stool for a bit of the song, but it was going down really low so he had one foot firmly on floor to keep a reasonable height. 'I'll all bear of all the crosses and crucifixes that you can provide' Darren holds provide note like on the CD. Do I need to say stunning? Then to all our surprised and amusement Darren sung a bit of Leona Lewis' bleeding love at end ' keep bleeding, I keep keep bleeding in love I keep keep bleeding in love' Darren said Thank you! (and then just for a reaction) 'cheeky little buggers. cheeky little fuckers!'
11. Dirty
clap x 3, clap twice x 1, etc etc.. (Darren changed the clapping half way through to clap once x1 and clap twice x1. it was confusing!)
tell me who in this house know about the quake ?
band : we do (woo hoo band got it right tonight)
I mean really, really,
if you know how to party say yeah
*yeah*
if you know how to party say oh yeah
*oh yeah*
verse of all around me :
Like cold chardonnay chilled for a day,
You're smooth and crisp and on display.
Like Cartier, Armani, like TAG, Gucci, Versace.
In the middle of the night you're a kiss so long.
You're the only good thing when all is wrong.
You're a magic time reversal clock.
You're the fries on the side with a cherry on top.
You're sleek, velvet, gold lame, patent leather, enchante.
You're a legend, you're a glamor queen.
God I'm running out of words but you know what I mean...
(Hold the 'mean' note at the end, this one is STUNNING)
verse of dirty:
lookin' like first class acting like a cheap date..
if you want to i can be dirty too i can spin you around pick you up and go
down if you want to I'M just like you, I'LL do the dirty things you do.
*First verse of I want you and chorus*
you're dirty I like that!
*second verse of dirty*
walk into a room imperceptible boom. get this monkey off my back any dark space would do to show you baby
if you want to i can be dirty too i can spin you around pick you up and go
down if you want to I'M just like you, I'LL do the dirty things you do.
*third verse of dirty*
why don't you tell me your sign?
if you want to i can be dirty too i can spin you around pick you up and go (doesn't sing down just pointed down, you know that look though he doesn't need to say it ;) ) if you want to I'M just like you, I'LL do the dirty things you do.
If you want to, yeah yeah right now, yeah like that.;)
verse of MMI:
Did you ever get the feeling that universe is leaning.. Must have been a future shock.
Verse of INXS need you tonight:
All you got is this moment
The 21st Century's yesterday
You can care all you want
Everybody does yeah that's okay
So slide over here
And give me a moment
You moves are so raw
I've got to let you know
I've got to let you know
You're one of my kind
When Darren sung part of need you tonight, I recognised that rift almost straight away! Gotta love Mickie! He didn't laugh just straight away said sorry at the end of the song.
12. Casey
Tonight Darren never spoke about recording just said I want to thank you Manchester and started song. He looked at me and sung the line 'when we were amazing' and I just smiled and he grinned back. He always seems to melt my heart then the next song is sing to me and it chokes me! Everyone was clapping, singing, could hardly hear Darren It was so fun. Definitely one for the masses. Definitely the best I've heard it yet, sometimes audience participation is a good thing ;) 'casey! When you goooooooo!' the whole audience screaming, singing, you really feel less alone, sooo connected to Darren, the song, each other. I love the 'Its 1989’ bit, the vibe of the song starts building, Love the acoustic 'yellow car' bit. That bit just flows so easily.
'oh we were amazing, I know things have changed' then it just explodes and everyone claps. 'we don't have to go far'
he added a few lines in the middle, I have no idea what it is from, no doubt someone will know it’s been bugging me!:
'It was the summer of love, it was the sunny of innocence, the summer of love, the summer of innocence, casey when you go.. '
13. Sing to Me
Darren screamed 'we're gonna leave!' then launched into sing to me.
Certain lines stand out and work so well live:
'be alright if you sing to me'
'trying to sing without your song'. .the audience singing along.
The chorus of Darren is AWESOME, the way it just explodes 'ooooh'
The whole place just singing this bit:
If this is what you want then (the way the then note is held is awesome)
Maybe it's just meant to be,
That you would sing to me.
Maybe I'm just lost at sea.
Could you come sing to me? (quite a lot of the time Darren was singing 'sing a melody for me' when it should have been 'to me') but I damn well love this song live. Not much else to say.
------------- Encore --------------
Darren thanked us, asked us to thank his band and left the stage . He left and came back, not a lot else tonight.
Darren came back out and I think he recognised more than a few familiar faces and asked 'Do you all just come on the tour bus and come to every show?' ..well the train and almost every show! ;)
The Darren another rude joke. Your shocked aren't you? lol
Darren said: 'to sit on that stool was very emasculinating, I want it up! How do I get it up? (Steve pulled at the handle then gave up) Can I try yours Steve? (Steve gave Darren his stool)
'it's flaccid! That’s Steve young guitar at steveyoungguitar.com!'.
Darren sat down on his newly acquired stool that was ok and Steve was
being all smug thinking Darren was an idiot who couldn't get the stool to work
and he'd fixed it. He proudly sat down only to discover the stool went straight
down and he almost fell off it! Darren wondered what we were all laughing at
until he looked round. You know when you sit on it and hold the leaver to let
it down? Well Steve thought it was locked and it slid straight down and he
almost fell off. It was so funny!
14. unlovable
Someone screamed 'I love you Darren!' *there is always one every night!* He just laughed and smiled and launched into song. Sitting on Steve's stool. lol
Didn't see this song coming but I loved it. I sound angry bitter sad infatuated its true (not truth). Darren pulled his fingers apart like he used to do with Dublin sky on the dark/light tour and void on TTMT and I just remember thinking how touching it was. You could really feel the emotion being portrayed was abandonment.
14. unlovable
Someone screamed 'I love you Darren!' *there is always one every night!* He just laughed and smiled and launched into song. Sitting on Steve's stool. lol
Didn't see this song coming but I loved it. I sound angry bitter sad infatuated its true (not truth). Darren pulled his fingers apart like he used to do with Dublin sky on the dark/light tour and void on TTMT and I just remember thinking how touching it was. You could really feel the emotion being portrayed was abandonment.
“AM I so unlovable is my skin untouchable? And do I remind you of a part
of you that you don't like, tell me, tell me, do I remind you ohh, because you
reminded me, ohhh, I felt unlovable, always anyhow anyplace and when I'm around
you, I felt unlovable.”.
At the end he added the bit:
'here's what I'm gonna do, I'll grow back just like a star fish'. Everyone was
cheering. I felt so proud of him. But all those annoying people screaming no to
the Questions kinda got to me a bit, there is no place for panto screaming over
Darren's gorgeous voice to a so very heartfelt song.
15. I Don't Care
I thought I'd go deaf beside the speakers! Darren came down the steps and looked straight at me. It was the line 'you pick the subject and I'll listen to you' Mike just looked at me. That was the confirmation I needed I wasn't imagining it. That bass line from Steve, I could feel it go right through me as I was leaning against the speakers. I love how Darren Clicks his fingers to the starting beat, he really gets into the song like we all do.
16. So Beautiful (The Beautiful Mix)
Still love this one live! Not a lot else I can say about it tonight.
Leaving stage.
Darren had took waistcoat off before and he made a big deal of putting it back on before left stage. He was playing up the audience a bit and we loved it. He took his tie and jumped off stage and hit his head on the ceiling. What an awful smack, Tracey tried to catch him but it was like slow motion, all I could see was the stark contrast of the black outfit and dark corner and the white of his belt just flashing past my eyes towards the ground. It seemed like his knees did a lot to absorb the shock. I think everyone was worried about him but when we seen Tracey at the door handing out flyers for the Casey phone downloads (thanks Tracey!) I think we all knew she wouldn't leave him if he wasn't ok.
After the gig.
He came out and jumped into van with Tracey, Steve and shave. His head seemed ok but he must have had a headache. He shook hands with the front row but he seen me and I seen him that's all that matters. That he knows I'm still here, supporting him. I could have gotten so much closer but I seem to approach him and then stand at a 'safe' distance. Grr!! I could scream at myself at times.
We all decided it was a good idea to go to the pub Brannigans next door to the venue. We were only meant to have one drink and a chat before finding some food but we stayed a while and I decided to have a drink or 5. No one believed me when I said it was Darren playing (a step into the light remix) until they heard the chorus. Turns out it was the moto blanco mix but it did bug me for a bit till I got my ipod out. I was a bit drunk!
We decided to go and find some food and found a takeaway this time. We sat and had a chicken burger, Joyce was a bit tipsy bless her. I was just rambling on and on. Joyce joked Kelly was quite normal at the meet up with her food. Doug was pinching Joyce's chips and Val had the biggest kebab ever. I spent the whole walk home declaring I wasn't drunk I was a bit tipsy, while insisting I needed the loo. I ended up in the men's in the Travelodge foyer, the ladies wasn't working. ooops!
The next morning I admitted defeat, I was drunk! Sooo embarrassing 5 drinks and I was drunk. Normally I can drink much more but when you haven't eaten in almost 12 hours I guess you get drunk a lot quicker! Sorry guys if I worried you, or scared you, or embarrassed you! It was a fun night but OMG today I wanted the day after to be over with! I checked my phone's sentbox and was reminded I'd sent a drunken txt to Ade and Clare that said: 'oh dear I fell into the pub next door to the gig bit pissed lol hope u had a good nite xx'
HAHA! Well if you can have fun on tour when can you have fun? I know I don't normally drink on tour but I decided it was time to let my hair down and celebrate. I was happy that night, so very happy and I decided a drink or two was needed. Whatever you do don't take happiness for granted.
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8th Feb - the day after the 2 awesome gigs.
We got up and were sad there wasn't a gig today. Nat had gone home. We watched some bad house hunting programme and decided to set off in search of brunch. It still amuses me the soundgarden sign opposite the Travelodge. No idea what it is though. We found a pub and sat a ate a full breakfast and I did some more of my review. Tempers began to fray a little when you haven't had much sleep. Sorry Kelly!
We went and had a look in the arndale shopping centre, played around in the apple store like kids, we left Darren’s youtube page on the iphone's screen and I couldn't resist writing woo hoo on the word document on the new macbook air. Oh and I took a piccie of the table with the iphone. I was surprised how confusing it was at first but how quickly you got used to it. We left before we got thrown out, walked past the Ferris wheel and went to find a net cafe. We found one called ‘mail boxes etc’ just opposite the malmaison and had a read of the forums.
15. I Don't Care
I thought I'd go deaf beside the speakers! Darren came down the steps and looked straight at me. It was the line 'you pick the subject and I'll listen to you' Mike just looked at me. That was the confirmation I needed I wasn't imagining it. That bass line from Steve, I could feel it go right through me as I was leaning against the speakers. I love how Darren Clicks his fingers to the starting beat, he really gets into the song like we all do.
16. So Beautiful (The Beautiful Mix)
Still love this one live! Not a lot else I can say about it tonight.
Leaving stage.
Darren had took waistcoat off before and he made a big deal of putting it back on before left stage. He was playing up the audience a bit and we loved it. He took his tie and jumped off stage and hit his head on the ceiling. What an awful smack, Tracey tried to catch him but it was like slow motion, all I could see was the stark contrast of the black outfit and dark corner and the white of his belt just flashing past my eyes towards the ground. It seemed like his knees did a lot to absorb the shock. I think everyone was worried about him but when we seen Tracey at the door handing out flyers for the Casey phone downloads (thanks Tracey!) I think we all knew she wouldn't leave him if he wasn't ok.
After the gig.
He came out and jumped into van with Tracey, Steve and shave. His head seemed ok but he must have had a headache. He shook hands with the front row but he seen me and I seen him that's all that matters. That he knows I'm still here, supporting him. I could have gotten so much closer but I seem to approach him and then stand at a 'safe' distance. Grr!! I could scream at myself at times.
We all decided it was a good idea to go to the pub Brannigans next door to the venue. We were only meant to have one drink and a chat before finding some food but we stayed a while and I decided to have a drink or 5. No one believed me when I said it was Darren playing (a step into the light remix) until they heard the chorus. Turns out it was the moto blanco mix but it did bug me for a bit till I got my ipod out. I was a bit drunk!
We decided to go and find some food and found a takeaway this time. We sat and had a chicken burger, Joyce was a bit tipsy bless her. I was just rambling on and on. Joyce joked Kelly was quite normal at the meet up with her food. Doug was pinching Joyce's chips and Val had the biggest kebab ever. I spent the whole walk home declaring I wasn't drunk I was a bit tipsy, while insisting I needed the loo. I ended up in the men's in the Travelodge foyer, the ladies wasn't working. ooops!
The next morning I admitted defeat, I was drunk! Sooo embarrassing 5 drinks and I was drunk. Normally I can drink much more but when you haven't eaten in almost 12 hours I guess you get drunk a lot quicker! Sorry guys if I worried you, or scared you, or embarrassed you! It was a fun night but OMG today I wanted the day after to be over with! I checked my phone's sentbox and was reminded I'd sent a drunken txt to Ade and Clare that said: 'oh dear I fell into the pub next door to the gig bit pissed lol hope u had a good nite xx'
HAHA! Well if you can have fun on tour when can you have fun? I know I don't normally drink on tour but I decided it was time to let my hair down and celebrate. I was happy that night, so very happy and I decided a drink or two was needed. Whatever you do don't take happiness for granted.
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8th Feb - the day after the 2 awesome gigs.
We got up and were sad there wasn't a gig today. Nat had gone home. We watched some bad house hunting programme and decided to set off in search of brunch. It still amuses me the soundgarden sign opposite the Travelodge. No idea what it is though. We found a pub and sat a ate a full breakfast and I did some more of my review. Tempers began to fray a little when you haven't had much sleep. Sorry Kelly!
We went and had a look in the arndale shopping centre, played around in the apple store like kids, we left Darren’s youtube page on the iphone's screen and I couldn't resist writing woo hoo on the word document on the new macbook air. Oh and I took a piccie of the table with the iphone. I was surprised how confusing it was at first but how quickly you got used to it. We left before we got thrown out, walked past the Ferris wheel and went to find a net cafe. We found one called ‘mail boxes etc’ just opposite the malmaison and had a read of the forums.
Then we went on the hunt for a starbucks. I wanted another yummy cookie. The one we had yesterday was so good! There was a sign that said it was closed but there was on the other side of the square. Just as we got to the other side of the square I decided it was time to stop and have a look round. Only for it to be literally just beside were we stopped. We got a hot chocolate and a cookie and chatted for a bit. it was nice to get the rucksacks off our backs.
Then we decided it was time to head to the station. As I sat reading the free
local paper Kelly sat listening to a conversation beside her. 'what have you
got on you?' 'just weed'. Now you can imagine what Kelly thought right? A drug
deal. Not it was even better than that, plain clothed police officers arresting
2 blokes for having cocaine. Kelly thought it was funny I chose to still read
the paper. I guess when you have a forensic science degree and live in
Nottingham not a lot phases you.
We sat and played the ipod music quiz on my ipod and then the older version of it on Kelly's ipod and I made my way to my platform. Maybe it might have been a good idea that as my train was meant to go from oxford road that I checked it went through Piccadilly beforehand? I'm always anxious of trains anyway but luckily all was ok and my train arrived and on I jumped - on the most LOVELY train ever. Not! Dear god! I'm also in the wrong seat, who has 10B and 10F?! oh well sod it! I've got I don't care on and I feel sad, it reminds me of the gig. Those special memories. I feel so blessed these last few days I've had so many moments with Darren. I've just noticed the lyric of I don't care ‘I ride this train’ LOL! On this train, right here right now. I've just fallen in love with the original version of I don't care. I only played the drum and bass one before.
I can feel the post tour blues and its only 2 days to Bristol. Everyone else felt it last nite but I was pissed! Now you all know I don't drink on tour. Well last night was ROCKIN! And I just decided sod it. London I didn't feel it. I was in the wrong place and now I feel found. Grateful. Blessed. Happy. Sad. HUNGOVER! Not necessarily in that order. I'm having my own little japan b-side tour. ‘fire inside the man’ now. Truth be told I haven't played these songs in months probably.
Every muscle aches from being bent around that speaker during the gig last night but it was worth it! My arms feel like they are about to fall off from carrying the kitchen sink around with me in my rucksack but hey I would do it all again for sure. And I am! Just might not bring the sink next time! ;) The tour blues seem to hit me harder than they have before. I think it’s because I was on such a high, perhaps more so than before as well. These past 3 days and 2 gigs have been amazing! Worth the sandblasting shower, the out of order lift, the cold, the embarrassing drunkenness when I had a drink or 5.
As awesome as the London gig was I didn't feel it. Too much was going on and wrong in my life, too soon after all the heartache. And it was a shock to my system to not be presented with 'hits'. As much as I adore the b-sides more than the hits it was a shock. But these last few days in Manchester I found myself as happy as NYE, really acutely aware I was happy and I loved every second especially the second night. The first gig seemed to go slowly and that's always a plus but the 2nd one just flew by. Before I knew it Darren was singing maybe. I wondered if someone had stolen time from us. God was both nights not fun! I've never screamed before, just clapped. The second night was special. So very special. All those little moments these past few days with Darren have made it all worthwhile. I can't wait for Bristol!
We sat and played the ipod music quiz on my ipod and then the older version of it on Kelly's ipod and I made my way to my platform. Maybe it might have been a good idea that as my train was meant to go from oxford road that I checked it went through Piccadilly beforehand? I'm always anxious of trains anyway but luckily all was ok and my train arrived and on I jumped - on the most LOVELY train ever. Not! Dear god! I'm also in the wrong seat, who has 10B and 10F?! oh well sod it! I've got I don't care on and I feel sad, it reminds me of the gig. Those special memories. I feel so blessed these last few days I've had so many moments with Darren. I've just noticed the lyric of I don't care ‘I ride this train’ LOL! On this train, right here right now. I've just fallen in love with the original version of I don't care. I only played the drum and bass one before.
I can feel the post tour blues and its only 2 days to Bristol. Everyone else felt it last nite but I was pissed! Now you all know I don't drink on tour. Well last night was ROCKIN! And I just decided sod it. London I didn't feel it. I was in the wrong place and now I feel found. Grateful. Blessed. Happy. Sad. HUNGOVER! Not necessarily in that order. I'm having my own little japan b-side tour. ‘fire inside the man’ now. Truth be told I haven't played these songs in months probably.
Every muscle aches from being bent around that speaker during the gig last night but it was worth it! My arms feel like they are about to fall off from carrying the kitchen sink around with me in my rucksack but hey I would do it all again for sure. And I am! Just might not bring the sink next time! ;) The tour blues seem to hit me harder than they have before. I think it’s because I was on such a high, perhaps more so than before as well. These past 3 days and 2 gigs have been amazing! Worth the sandblasting shower, the out of order lift, the cold, the embarrassing drunkenness when I had a drink or 5.
As awesome as the London gig was I didn't feel it. Too much was going on and wrong in my life, too soon after all the heartache. And it was a shock to my system to not be presented with 'hits'. As much as I adore the b-sides more than the hits it was a shock. But these last few days in Manchester I found myself as happy as NYE, really acutely aware I was happy and I loved every second especially the second night. The first gig seemed to go slowly and that's always a plus but the 2nd one just flew by. Before I knew it Darren was singing maybe. I wondered if someone had stolen time from us. God was both nights not fun! I've never screamed before, just clapped. The second night was special. So very special. All those little moments these past few days with Darren have made it all worthwhile. I can't wait for Bristol!
Did you happen to record any of the show? I am dying to get a hold of GUNNING DOWN ROMANCES' audio.
ReplyDeleteDid you happen to record any of the show? I am dying to get a hold of GUNNING DOWN ROMANCES' audio.
ReplyDelete