The
Future of earthly delites tour
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"With Truly Madly Deeply no. 1 in the
U.S. it makes Savage Garden close to being no. 1 in the world!" - Hot FM,
30 January, 1998.
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Review of Meet
(yep - that's me with Darren and Daniel!) - the concert? You have to see
this for yourself - if you don't you're missin' out on something really
special hon!
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permission to use pics/collage must be directed
to me
.
Friday, January 30, 1998: From inside the Pharmacy
where I am working, I gaze upon Florence street which is bathed in a spectacular
vision of twilight colours that beam in and out of the shivering palm trees
and against the stark white of the soothing tropical accommodation buildings.
An oddly mystical setting, but nevertheless, that of a glittering Cairns
summer sunset. As the sun sets I fall back into the realms of yesterday
evening, when, at around this time I was still glowing with the positive
results of a reality check. Yes, I had indeed just witnessed a soundcheck
with a mere fifteen other fans present - a kind of mini private concert
where the audience is treated to the fun antics of a really cute attention
seeker who does not like speaking away from the microphone, but in fact
appears to have the time of his life skipping around the stage and speaking
to crew members in foreign accents!
It is difficult to describe the time I spent in the empty, yet
heavily guarded Cairns Convention Centre. With people cuing outside,
I could not believe I had a pass on a dog-tag around my neck which read
‘Sound Check VIP Meet and Greet Pass’ that enabled little old me to be
that person I had always longed to be - that special one allowed behind
those locked doors and security guards. I gazed on in blurred amazement
as Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones of Brisbane’s Savage Garden rehearsed
their movements for the impending performance, occasionally glancing up
with a cheeky smile and wave as the few selected fans stared on stunned.
We must have provided quite a contrast from the busy journalists, radio
announcers and crew who were used to a buzz of this calibre and who simply
raced around in an effort to cut the deadline.
To be honest, the experience remains quite a daze
in my head, no details being readily available in my mind. I remember
Darren flirting with the backing singers as they threw harmonious tunes
back and forth at each other. I recall taking mental note of Daniel’s
position on the stage so as I would have direction when the crowds flooded
in. I knew this would be the best place as it was the perfect point
for viewing both talented and gorgeous performers. Throughout this
entire spectacle however, the pair remained on stage, and thus a world
away.
Then the lights went out.
Cairns had been experiencing terrible power failures in the last few
days, caused by unpredictable but savage lightening (no pun intended! ).
Unable to rehearse for the moment, the Savage Garden duo disappeared from
the stage but reappeared several seconds later - on their way over to our
hovering ground! Daniel started at one end of the line which had
developed, whilst Darren began at my end of the line. He walked along
and we smiled on him as if he were royalty. His great Aussie charm
and perfect personality shone through as he shook each of our hands and
exchanged ‘hello’s’ with us.
For a while the pace livened up, as it became each
for his or (predominantly) her own as we thrust our CDs, posters and cameras
in their faces. Actually, neither of them minded and were so sweet
and charming to we, the very very lucky ones. Before I continue,
it seems necessary to place each of them in the picture for you, the reader.
Darren Hayes - lead singer - attention seeker extraordinaire! Don’t
get me wrong though - this characteristic only helps add to his unbelievably
impressive live performances which lead you through the songs in heartfelt
and wrenching motion causing tears and laughter. Darren has the greatest
personality and is just sooooo nice. I was impressed to learn from
him that he lived in Cairns a while ago, lives in Brisbane now and is a
Taurus - just like me! Daniel appeared to be fairly shy, however
just as good looking and talented as Darren. He may be easily described
as shy but very very sweet and nothing but nice. Both signed my CD
and its cover, a large poster which is now laminated, and posed for a piccie
with me - which to my great relief turned out quite well! I also
managed to squeeze in a quick ‘Happy 18th B’day’ autograph for one of my
best buds who was a thousand miles away and unaware of my ‘meeting’ at
this point in time.
Well, all I can say is that this was an unbelievable
experience which I still can’t believe is real. Of course, it is
trivial to many people, but you only have to think of all those times you’re
waiting in line for a concert, or simply watching the television or a movie
or anything along those lines, wishing you could be a lucky person who
could just receive a personal smile from that celebrity you admire.
I’ve ALWAYS been the outside person - longing, if not obsessing over wanting
to be there! Now I have the photos, autographs, ticket and VIP backstage
pass as memorabilia of my lucky time with two of my extreme favourite people!
Add to that, a pic thrown out into the audience (caught by me, lucky enough
to have gained my planned spot in the very front row) by Daniel after he
had completed strumming his guitar with it at this awesome first concert
which launched the ‘Future of Earthly Delights Tour’. Speaking in
the ‘realistic’ sense, I could not have had a luckier or more perfect experience
if I had tried. To all those who know me well - I told you I’d get
there :-) (well, kinda)! Keep going FBI woman! (inside joke! Kudos
to those who can guess from where and who my next duo to track down is!)
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permission to use pics/collage must be directed to me
..
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