Enmore Theatre - Sydney
May 5th 1997
by Julie Windred
My friend and I arrived at the Enmore Theatre at somewhere near 7pm, met by whipping winds and thousands of people lined on the footpath outside the closed doors. Finally in the doors at about ten to 8pm. Quickly bought shirts before ascending the stairs to our seats. Could see the stage through stairs, covered/bathing in purple light. "Darren said no pyrotechnics stuff. What does that look like?" I commented on the way. My friend took seat three and I took seat two but then I begged her to swap because I couldn't see the stage over the balcony edge (she's taller than me), it worked out fine. The support band Drive came on, I was expecting some kind of alternative band but, guess what, they weren't! They were really good and my friend and I were bopping along to the songs, although we couldn't quite hear what he was singing because of all the noise. On one occasion, the lead singer sounded like Darren but, for the most part, he didn't. The bands music is a kind of Noiseworks-INXS mix. I mean, they moved around like INXS but sounded like Noiseworks. Anyway, they were pure ROCK! They got lots of cheers and the lead singer kept replying "Thank you, you're very kind." So I replied "You're very good." And he said "Yeah, I know. Thanks." And I was totally stunned because I don't think it was at all possible for him to hear me. That was funny though. They didn't bother turning the lights out until halfway through Drive's performance (which I was really annoyed about!). One other thing you need to know, this band liked fooling us, kept tormenting about Savage Garden and they stopped playing in the middle of one song and we started cheering loudly and they began again with the lead singer turning around to face us saying "Fooled ya!" It was funny and, by far, this was the best support band ever - ALMOST as good as Savage Garden, but not quite there yet.
It took another fifteen minutes before any attempt was made of an entry but, all of a sudden, lights flashed everywhere from the stage, blinding everyone and figures all ran onto the stage. I could see Jenny Waite, the blonde back-up singer, as she walked to her microphone on my left on the stage. Then, on came Daniel, in a shiny black button-up collared shirt (the one he was wearing on Witness) over red pants. Another flash, the music began and Darren ran from the side and slid across the middle of the stage towards the microphone, his long red coat flying up behind him over his shiny black pants and long-sleeved black shirt with a white stripe down each arm. Talk about making an entrance! He looked like the Scarlet Pumpernickel! As soon as he appeared, he burst into a rendition of Carry on Dancing. He went to the right side of the stage where photographers stood and held out his hand, you know like when people don't want their photo taken. Then he went to the other side and did the same thing, then came back and repeated this. I could tell he wasn't quite sure what to do, repeating his actions a lot. Tears of Pearls followed before he finally stopped to, I'm not sure, welcome everybody? Oh, and he took off his red coat revealing the long-sleeved shirt underneath. Both my friend and I now want this coat (I think everyone does!). Anyway, this was the problem with the concert, it was hard enough to hear them singing, let alone talking over all the screaming girls below. I did hear this part though:
Daniel: "We love Sydney! Apart from Brisbane, this is our second home."
Cheer from crowd.
Darren: "Yeah, we've done a lot of growing up in King's Cross over the past eight months"
That's all I heard. I can't remember what came next. Actually, I remember now, it was Violet and the stage was bathed in purple lights and spinning green/yellow circles. I remember Darren went up to Daniel continuously and stood in front of him (well, it was more like next to him) with his back to Daniel while he was singing. Darren was in a weird mood that night, I think, because he sang to Daniel, the girls, the crowd, even the lights on the side of the stage! He started that when, I think 4th song in, he sung Universe and I was so surprised that one of my favourite songs had come so early in the concert. This is the point where I think Darren had settled down. He was sending the girls crazy downstairs, it was like a screaming and fainting contest! Okay, now this is relying on brain power, what came next? Well, somewhere around here Darren paused for more conversation:
Darren: "You know guys, it would make me really happy if you could get up and dance."
My friend heard him add: "I know what it is. Your lazy, your all lazy."
And everybody got up (downstairs that is) and ran to the stage. Anyway, the next song he said (I think Daniel also said something but I can't remember!):
Darren: "Five years ago we were sitting in a bedroom writing songs, and this is one of them."
Daniel put his hands to the keyboard. First note played and I said "To the moon and back" then Darren sung the first verse of the song to Daniel's keyboard solo. I said "See, I was right." The audience screamed and that beeping bit on the beginning of the CD came on. Then Darren started from the chorus and sung the rest of the song with people jumping and clapping downstairs. Then Darren went back over to Daniel and the keyboard and said:
Darren: "Here's a song about a little town called Santa Monica."
I think that's what he said, guessing from the bits I heard. Well, anyway, big screams came as loud as for "To the moon and back". Okay, I'm just guessing, no hang on, I'm wrong. I'm trying to go by when my friend stood up but she confused me entirely by saying "I had to stand up for my favourite song" which was near the end After she stood up. Actually, that's right, this song was on when My friend was sitting down, so it must have been now. Darren went back over to the keyboard:
Darren: "We're gonna do a slow song now, a ballad, by our favourite band in the world…." (Cheer from crowd) "..and no, it's not us! This song is called `With or without you'."
Now, if you don't recognise the title, this song is by U2. I loved the way the song was performed, this proved by it playing in my head all that night and the next morning before and during my Math exam. Back at the concert, Darren had begun singing the song and Bess (the back-up singer with the dark hair) sung it with him. Now, this definitely began the stage acting! They joined right hands, palm to palm, and slowly raised it in the air - you know, the love kind of thing. If you're still confused about the song, here are the words to the chorus (that's all I know!):
With or without you
With or without you ah-ha
Oh I can't live, I can't live
With or without you
That was really cool. I love the song now, I'm not a big fan of U2 but I LOVED the way Darren sung it! Now, this is when my friend got up (I think, but she was up during this song). It was "A thousand words". I was singing along now, I might have started two songs earlier - not sure - so I was kind of ignoring them. Oh, now I remember, I was singing along because I started on the second verse of the song (don't ask me why as I'd listened to it twice that morning before my English exam on Hamlet - it's my Hamlet song.) instead of the first and realised my mistake when I sung Time manipulates your heart and Darren sung We stumble in a tangled web. So, I joined Darren then in the correct words. Next was Mine, another song I love, but I began to wander a little and not concentrating as much on Darren. Sorry for being brief, I can't remember much. Actually, at the end of Mine, there was an extra verse of something and the other back-up Jenny Waite (with the blonde hair) came out and her and Darren were circling each other while he was singing before she went back to her original position. Oh, and they kept playing with the sound on Darren's microphone. In one verse you could barely hear him but, all of a sudden, they turned the volume up right at the end of that verse. It was really annoying because you heard the girls instead of Darren.
Now, I DO remember the next bit. Dear, kind, sweet Daniel decided to really push the idea (although it was sort of the third time we'd been asked), we're not allowed to stand in the stalls but, hey! We got Daniel's permission.
Daniel: "You guys up the top there! You can stand up if you want. We wanna see you dance."
And so, we all stood up and danced to the next song - the new single Break Me Shake Me. It was terrific, a big party - the most fun I've ever had in my life (I'm probably exaggerating, but that's me for you!) I can't describe it but, oh, it was GREAT! As soon as we stood up Darren just broke into the song, I can't describe how immense it was. Actually, I think this was when Darren went right up to Daniel's face and, you know those things guys do to proove how tough they are, when they give that "C'mon!" look before they push the other guy - that's the look Darren had on his face, he was only inches from Daniel's face. When the song ended, the lights went out and I saw Daniel put his right hand on Darren's left shoulder, like a "Good job, mate." Do you think Darren was a little insecure? I mean, he kept going up to Daniel throughout the concert, like for reassurance.
Another party when I Want You started up. I was amazed at how fast Darren was singing but I still kept up with him. Just as we were hitting the instrumental bit, the guitarist (I think the lead) suddenly altered the tune a little. As he was in solo, Darren walked up to him, and so did Daniel who I think was already up there with his red guitar.
Darren: "Now listen here mate, you play the song like we told you… like we taught you to, otherwise - you're outta here. We'll kick you off the stage."
Daniel: "You want him off the stage?"
"yeah" from crowd.
And Bess took her microphone and headed towards Darren and another song or something was being played. We discovered what it was at the end, after Bess had stalked Darren towards the middle and then the front of the stage singing "You sexy thing!". It's another song they'd decided to slip in. Then they continued with the instrumental bit and sung the verse after that. Then Darren went over to Daniel on my right on the stage.
>
Darren: "I think we should get them to sing, what do you think?"
Daniel: "I think so too."
Darren: "What line shall we get them to sing. The one they know?"
Daniel: "What, Chic-a-cherry cola?"
Darren: "Chic-a-cherry what?"
Daniel: "Cola" (dragged out in deep voice)
And so Darren continued singing and held out the microphone for us to sing the line. He thought this was really cool and he looked like he wanted to sing the verse again so we could sing that line. At the end of the song, we were really surprised when Daniel piped up:
Daniel: "We've gotta go now, hope to see you again. Bye."
He waved and they left the stage. My friend was complaining that they hadn't played All Around Me (her favourite song. Did you know it was about Daniel's obsession with Meg Ryan?). I was saying "It's alright, they have to come back. They can't go without playing their number one single." People were clapping and screaming as they left the stage. Where we were standing (the balcony) everybody sat down and stamped their feet. My friend remained standing and did the same, doing a little jog on the spot to keep up with the pace.
To me, but not to everyone else, it didn't take long for someone to come back on stage. He came slightly onto the stage and, in a semi-circle, walked off. Everyone screamed when he came on. I thought it was Daniel tormenting us but I soon found out that it was just one of the stage equipment guys. But immediately after that another guy came out. We didn't start screaming until he reached the drumkit, centre stage. Then the bass guitarist came out, then a guy in black who got a big scream 'cause we all thought he was Darren - once in the light we discovered he was the lead guitarist. Oops! Next out surprised us, it was Daniel. He came out so quickly it wasn't funny and it took us a long time to realise he was coming out. He got a big scream. He went to his keyboard and introduced the band members. Then:
Daniel: "I don't think this guy needs any introduction."
He was drowned out by the big scream and continued:
Daniel: "I think you need to scream louder than that to get him out here."
Of course, I didn't scream. I said "I'm not gonna boost his ego!" but everyone else screamed and Darren came out hand in hand with Jenny and Bess.
Darren introduced the girls (but not Daniel, silly boy!) and began singing "All around me" with the introduction of part of the rap (if I'm remembering right!). My friend screamed - her favourite song was on. Oh yeah, quote from before the song started.
Daniel: "This is the first time we've done this song in concert."
Yeah, sure Daniel! You can't go three states (plus I think Canberra!) without doing your whole album! (Btw, he was telling the truth I found out!) Anyway, I was just partying away, kind of trying to catch Daniel's attention (i.e. I was willing him to look up to us and remember me. He did, look up that is.) Yet again, Darren headed over to Daniel and started singing the rap bit as he had on the CD. Both my friend and I were shocked because we seriously didn't think he did that bit. Isn't it amazing how he can change his voice like that!!!! He went left (my left) and went back to Daniel then, about a step in the other direction to sing the bit "I'm running out of words but you know what I mean." We knew he sung that bit and I was waiting for him to hit that high note, but he didn't quite reach it and the girls were suddenly louder, as if they were reaching it for him. At this point I think we all got a little pissed off at the backup singers, mostly Bess, who were dominating Darren. The very last bits of that song with the Absolutely Fabulous soundtrack on it didn't even get done (I hadn't realised until after the concert.) And guess what song came on next. I don't know if I'm remembering another song that he sung the first verse acapella, but I think he did it for this. Well, if you hadn't guessed, it was Truly Madly Deeply. Actually, I think he did the first verse acapella and then said to us:
Darren: "You wanna sing along to the chorus?"
And he began to start us off, but of course we all knew it, so he held out the microphone and we sung the chorus united, in tune, in rhythm, like an exact copy of Darren. He was totally taken aback. I mean, he was so shocked he actually took a step back.
Darren: "Wow! That was really good!"
I was waiting for a "I'll be out of a job soon." but that never came. There might have been an earlier comment, unless it was for "To the moon and back", where Darren told us to sing along if we knew the words.
Somewhere nearby the last couple of songs, which should be this one if I remember correctly, Darren walked to our side of the stage and waved at us!!!!!!!!!! I was so thrilled, especially since Daniel had ceased paying attention to us. We waved back and he touched his heart, I could have died!!! I was in heaven!!!!!!!! Well, he then went to the other side of the stage and did the same thing, then headed back our way to do it again but he was stopped by something, probably the crowd below.
Remember how I said Darren wanted us to sing along? Well, we did just that and we were really loud but not loud enough to drown out Darren 'cause we wanted to hear him. I suppose you wouldn't know this but in the song, you know how there is changes of voice every couple of lines, well Bess and Darren interchange those. Remember how we all had a vengeance against Bess? Well, she's the one we took revenge on. Whenever she was singing, we sang louder to drown her out, but when Darren was singing, we toned it down so we could hear him sing. Is that cool or what? Bess didn't look to pleased at what we were doing either. We didn't care, it was our revenge! Anyway, it was really funny that we'd all united to drown out Bess. My friend and I were laughing about it ages after!
Well, I've already told you how packed it was. Plenty of Security Guards hanging around. I just needed to tell you of a few situations. Firstly, when Darren decided he'd do the right thing by touching the hands in the audience, he went okay. He tried to reach the ones in, like, the second row and everybody grabbed his arm, he had to lean back so he didn't get pulled into the crowd and go crowd surfing. Daniel then tried it but, as he was playing guitar, he didn't stay there long so there wasn't enough time for him to be pulled into the same situation. My friend also told me that one time, one of the guys was near the audience and he jumped right back when someone tried to grab him. During one of the songs, early on - most probably Violet, Darren went over to Daniel and motioned for him to come backwards with him then, doing his slow panther walk, stepping forward with the beats. Daniel did, well, not quite the same. Took a step forward when Darren did and slid his other foot next to it - you know, like fairy steps. Eventually, he reached the front of the stage before Darren but Darren walked off somewhere else. Okay, what else. One more thing. I was scanning the stage, from left to right. I saw a security guard on the left, I headed towards the right where Darren was standing with Daniel. A girl had half her body on the stage and the security guard on the right was preparing to run and grab her, but she got down. There wasn't much else. I'm still swooning over the wave from Darren though! Wow!!!!
There was an after-party with 2Day Fm. (I didn't go. I just know about it cause it was on the radio!) Darren didn't go so they talked to Daniel. The reason why Darren didn't go is because he lost his voice after the concert! Ugly Phil opted to stand in his place then the girls said they'd do backup and they sung. Daniel said "Just to let all you guys out there know, that was NOT our back-up singers." They're booked until about October, coming back here for another tour around September (Not anymore, you know the latest goss on the concerts). I found out days later (about the time they were up in Queensland) that Darren had been losing his voice after all the concerts. Poor thing! I feel so sorry for him.
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Copyright 1998 Julie Windred