Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester, UK
9th December 2000

One wet Thursday in Manchester I had the greatest experience.

My daughter and I went to see Savage Garden. I have been a fan since the beginning and it was always gonna rub off on my daughter. The performance was brilliant. You could feel the electricity throughout the arena.
Darrens voice was unbelievable, the only difference between the live performance and the CD was it was better live. Absolutely fantastic.

If I was on a desert island and only had 1 song to take it would have to be Affirmation. The words sum up life and people and everybody can relate to the message it sends out.

But it has to be said at the concert the song that got me tingling was YOU CAN STILL BE FREE. It was performed brilliantly, I had a body full of goosebumps.

The only critisim if I am allowed one, is that there wasn't any big screens. We were right at the back, and obviously the stage was miles away. It spoilt it a bit that we couldn't see their faces. So next time lads don't forget us right at the back, you're only dots to us when you are on stage.

Enough critisism !! Cant wait for the next concert in UK (gonna try and get nearer the front) The whole experience was MAGIC.

Sue

Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester, UK
20th November and 9th December 2000

My daughter and I went to the first Concert a Manchester Arena ( an early Christmas present). It was AMAZING. Darren's voice, so clear , lifted me up and for hours put me somewhere that energised....I was on a high!
Of course the Saturday Concert had been sold out for months, I couldn't stand the thoughts of "so near yet so far ", So we drove to Manchester on a wet evening (usual Manchester weather!), not having any tickets, not really having a plan, not daring to say what if.....!
We did it ! I never thought in a million years I would buy tickets from a TOUT! Desperate times, desperate measures! Second time around I drank it in, at my leisure, pure magic.( I even rang home on my mobile and now have Affirmation on my ansafone!)
It is now March,and the Cannonballs Video has just been released, everything and more,( well I didn't need a tout just the postman!)
It was a privilege to be part of the Manchester Experience, and the next time I will be first in line for tickets!

Clare Simeunovich

(A Huge Thank You to Mags for letting me use this picture she took at one of the UK concerts)

Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester, UK
9th December 2000

My daughter and I went to see SG at the Manchester Evening News Arena on the 9th December. Its nearly three months ago now but it is still fresh in our minds. The concert was just amazing!! Thanks lads for the best concert Ive seen in a long while.

Darren's voice was just amazing. I mean the music on the CDs is just out of this world but I never thought he could repeat it live as well as he did. He did and it was even better live than the CD.

Please dont make us wait too long before your next CD. Its the only music I play now and even as I write Affirmation is on full blast! I start to get withdrawal symptons if I dont hear it at least once a day. I have just sent for the two videos and I cant wait for them to arrive.

Thanks to Darren and Dan for some of the best songs I have heard, for the emotion, for the thoughtful lyrics and the music. Come back to the UK very soon. You are missed!!!

Marian and Gemma Hindley

Thanks to Caedn for this concert picture

Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester, UK
9th December 2000

Wow!! What can I say except WOW!!!! Loads actually.... The guys were fantastic. It was worth every minute of my 6 hour drive to get there. Darren's voice was better live than I could ever have thought possible, so much emotion.....and boy can he hit the high notes!!!! Guess that's where the tight trousers help!

The the best gig I've ever been to......come back soon guys

Sophie

the Colosseum at the Kunstpark Ost'
Munich, Germany
Saturday, December 2, 2000

Well, since concert was in 9 pm we had plenty of time for everything . I convinced Angi that probably we should go earlier there so maybe we could check the sound check or something because Cindy told me that sound-checks are usually 3-4 hours before the concert (thanks Cindy!) .So finally we agreed that we'll go around 5 pm .There was 4 of us planning to go to the concert :Angi ,Timo (oldest kid), Shona (youngest one ) and me .Originally there should be 6 of us but we changed the plan .
So ,anyway, because 5 was still far ahead of us Colin and Shona decided to help me out with the banner I wanted to make .With their help banner turn out just fine and it was written on the banner "I'VE COME ALL THE WAY FROM YUGOSLAVIA TO SEE YOU !!! " so Darren and Daniel could see it :-)
After the lunch we started to prepare for the concert and I was standing hours infront of the mirror to figure out what to do with my hair and I just couldn't decide so I finally just let it but I brought with me one of these things (and I don't know the word sorry) that you can put your hair up again ...just in case .
So I had my blue-gray pants and my white short sleeve angora top and I put some of that jewel shining things on my face ...It was really cool I think ,Finally when we took off we were running late a bit but that was my fault I admit it :-)
We went to pick up one Timo's friend and when we finally came infront the venue it was around 5:45 pm .

Surprise ,surprise there was already some 100 -200 people there !!! I was soooo disappointed because I thought there is no way I'll stand in front rows .I tried to find some of the girls from BBS I knew that are coming to the concert but I didn't know them before this day so I never did ...and I was really looking forward to some of them ... Oh, well :) After that we found out that concert was actually sold out !

Around 6:30 - 7 pm they decided to let us in the venue .I didn't know whether they will allow cameras in it but they did so hopefully there will be some great photos soon .When we finally ran into the hall I originally wanted to go to the left side but it was already full so Shona went to the right and Angi and I fallowed her and it was a great decision because we managed to go into the SECOND row !!!! *yay* I was soooooooo incredibly happy ! I mean I dreamed about standing someplace near but second row on the right was more that I ever hoped for !

By the time opening act started it was soooo hot inside that I decided to put up my hair ...Around 8:30 lights went off and soon enough two guys were on stage and the few moments after that two girls came too . The opening act was band called S.O.A.P. Personally I never heard about them before but that didn't stop me to dance and enjoy their performance which I find very good . I especially liked girl with longer hair she was really interesting and great dancer too :-) I even took some photos !

After that stage was empty again and we had to wait some 30 minutes or so before the real happening but my Gosh was it good or what !In the meantime everyone started to blow their balloons .I had whole bag of the balloons with me so when I blown some 4-5 I gave the rest of them to people who were standing next to me and Angi did that too . By the time concert started we had a lot of balloons ready and finally when music started everyone start to scream (me too )and concert was about to start every second now ! What can I say about the concert ...IT WAS THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE EVER !!!!!! I mean I saw Superstars and Cannonballs video tape but it's nothing in comparing with the live experience !!!!!!

First song was THE BEST THING and it was really great .I'm not sure did I imagine it but I think Darren didn't sang the song the way he did it on S&C ...I'd like to hear what the rest of you guys think about it ,am I imagining or was I right ?I mean I loved the way he sang it but I thought it was different ...

After that BREAK ME SHAKE ME came ...incredible really :) Angi already asked me when will I pull my banner but I thought not yet ...I was waiting for the right moment .

I don't remember was it TO THE MOON AND BACK or THE LOVER AFTER ME when I finally pull up my banner .I put it really high so Dan could read it and suddenly he looked at it but then he made the face like he can't see it well so I turned a bit more and when he read it he just gave me this HUGE smile I will never forget !!!Then Darren came on this ,right,part of the stage and while he sang it he read it and then he POINTED his finger to me !!!! I mean I can't be 100 % sure but I think he did ...I WAS SOOOOOOO HAPPY !!! I mean I'm sure you guys who were there saw when he pointed his finger so ...that was me :-P

Also while there played these songs Darren said some things in German I assume "Good evening " or something ...sorry I don't know German .also he said something what I didn't understood and that meant " IT'S Fu%%^NG HOT IN HERE " and it was really soooo hot my back was already wet .

I must add that later on I made eye contact with Daniel 7-8 times and we smiled to each other and with Darren less but I also didn't expect much because he had to pay attention to all of the fans in whole venue ...I think Dan will be my new found passion :-))

When they finished with TLAM security pulled the piano in front of the stage and rest of the backing band went off the stage ,there was only Daniel and Darren .So Darren ,said that he'll take us to the journey and that's pretty dark there but we'll manage to go trough everything together .... something like that .Meaning was of course that it was the time for the slow songs . First came my favorite one I DON'T KNOW YOU ANYMORE . Darren sang it sooooooo incredibly and if for nothing else I want to say thank you for such a incredible performance of my fav song ! He sat on the stage and he was singing ...it was soooo beautiful ...really .I thought that I will cry ,I was soo overwhelmed but I didn't . Darren then sang SANTA MONIKA ,but just one part if I remember correctly ,after that 2 BEDS AND THE COFFEE MACHINE ,and after the singing stopped and music stopped Darren said something about next song and I'm sorry I couldn't understand well what he was saying because it was really noisy and everything ...he dedicated this song to some people so if anyone can clear this for me I would be really thankful .Of course next song was YOU CAN STILL BE FREE . After that Darren said that next song is 20 years old and he made a comment how wonderful it would be if we could live in that kind of world ...of course song he was talking about was IMAGINE by John Lennon . When he said all this people started to scream and I also screamed but I assume I felt differently because I knew exactly what he was talking about !

When the music stopped again Darren said "Enough about this emotional bull shit " and suddenly lights were up again and the music started again and it was time for THE ANIMAL SONG ! Everyone danced again and it was sooo beautiful .In general I must say this AUDIENCE IN MUNICH WAS AMAZING !!!I was really proud to be there and everything .

When the first beats of HOLD ME came people in the crowed started to jump,scream and everything ,especially girls .Everyone hoped that Darren will pick the Hold me girl but he never did .Now ,I must say this and I hope you won't take it against me but I was actually kind of glad he didn't :-) Sorry

Finally came one of the best songs CRASH & BURN and Darren did some sign language at the end and I'm sorry I didn't pay much closer attention on that part (I was looking at the Daniel at the time ) :-D

Then TRULY,MADLY,DEEPLY came and everyone started to scream sooo loud it was great !Darren sang the song beautifully and I especially loved the part Ben played on acoustic guitar .When the song came to it's end Darren said "THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT " something like that and they went off the stage .I mean we knew that concert is not finished yet but still ....

When they came up on stage again they have changed their cloths .Darren was wearing his gold suit and everyone else wear white .I LOVED CHAINED TO YOU performance !!! It was sooooo very funny !And I must add that I admire how they make everything looks that great ...great job Angi,Elisa and Darren ! After the song ended Darren put off the jacket and asked what do we think of his ridicules golden pants ?So everyone start to scream again .

I WANT YOU was next ...again amazing ! Darren dedicated I KNEW I LOVED YOU to everyone in the hall and first it was the real version and after that came the remix and I really loved the remix version !!!

After that was AFFIRMATION .I'm only sorry I couldn't take pictures because I somehow manage to loose one battery from the camera !I felt sooo stupid !:-D :-D :-D Darren and girls made the heart sign with hands and audience too ,it was soooooooooooo beautiful I think that was one of the greatest moments on the concert .

During the concert Darren also sang a part of WHO LET THE DOGS OUT ,and then Madonna's MUSIC .Also ,he spilled some water on the audience on the left side of the stage and then on him too ,so I just hope my wet shirt pics will turn out the way I 've planned .Keep your fingers crossed for me !

I don't remember what song was exactly but Darren sang a part really high and we started to scream and he sang again and again ...he teased the audience and it was really funny !I mean you could see on their faces that they enjoyed show really much ! Also Darren thanked to everyone for staying in all this heat ... While TMD was playing he changed the words of the song ...he said "Beautiful Munich sky" Also at one point he touched certain part of Elisa's body *wink* and you could tell that she didn't really expect that !

OK,so when the concert was over we went to pick up the jackets and also we bought some souvenirs ...I bought white fitted t-shirt and a necklace and Angi bought key ring and Tour book .We spend a lot of money but I'm glad because I wanted to have something to remember from the concert .Anyway ,after we went out from the venue we tried to find buses and we did ! I saw Celeste sitting in the bus and Angi asked politely the guy who was standing in front of it could he just please go and ask is there any possible way that we get some autographs and stuff and she mention that I've come from Yugoslavia to see them but he didn't wanted to do that and I was soooooo sad :-( :-( :-( I mean all I wanted was that guys sign the shirt I bought but ... oh ,never mind .Finally we went home .

Before I end this post I just want to say THANK YOU to some people so bare with me just few seconds more ,OK?
* First I want to thank DARREN and DANIEL for the best night of my life !It was worth traveling 3 000 km (to Munich and back I mean) to see the concert and If I had to travel 3 times longer I definitely would *haha just remembered Al G from Maddonas video ,sorry*
* Thank you to ELISA,ANGI,CELESTE,LEE,BEN AND CARL for the amazing performance too !
* Thank you to all the people who are in charged with the show !THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DONE WITH STAGE ,LIGHTS AND SOUND !
* Thank you to CINDY,TINA,WENDY,SANELA ,MONIKA and rest of you guys I've met on BBS because of SAVAGE GARDEN and thank you for all the tips you gave me !
* Thank you to WONDERFUL MUNICH AUDIENCE !I felt so proud being with you guys there that night !
* Thank you to one guy who was standing next to me in the crowd for taking some photos for me !
* Finally last but not least THANK YOU TO WONDERFUL A. family :ANGI,CHRIS,TIMO,COLIN and SHONA for making me feel so welcome and feeling like I was a part of your family !!! I will never be able to repay you for everything that you 've done for me !!! I love you guys !!!
* And of course thank you to the wonderful city of Munich for making me feel like I was in Belgrade :-)
Gosh,I've started to sound like the stars on the awards show :-) Sorry !

Well ,that's it !
hugest hugs to all of you !!!

~ Stasha ~

Valbyhallen
Copenhagen, Denmark
17th November 2000 @ 8.00 PM
SOLD OUT

On the very day of the Svage Garden concert the local radiostation Uptown - Uptown coarranged the concert - had an SG competion. First caller to answar 10 SG questions would win the great price: A meet and greet, including the soundcheck and 2 tickets. Knowing that I had all the correct answars I called in ALL day - but no luck :( One thing that really surprised me listening to the radio all day, was that I only heard 1 girl call, the rest of the callers were guys and so was the winner. I was so happy for him - he told that he really loved SG, he went to their concert in 98 and he didn't have tickets for this one and he was totally ecxited about meeting the Darren.

I went to the concert with my brother (as always) and we met up at the train station at 6 PM - 2 hours before the opening act. I had planned to meet some BBS girls up front, but when we arrived at the venue we realised that everybody seemed to have arrived early for this particular concert. So we never made it up front, we just lined up with all the other outside for more than one hour in the freezing cold rain. Finally the doors opened and the line very slovly started to move. After the bodysearch the security guard said: I'd like to check your handbag and I started to pray "Please don't let her notice my camera" and guess what - SHE DID'T. I had put a lot of girlstuff on top of my camera and when she checked my handbag she said "Oh just the usual girlstuff - every girl brings the same stuff" and I just smiled at her and said "really" and then she let me pass.

As soon as I got into the arena I immediately spotted the Bruce Ramus lightpanels and then I went: YES THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING.

After about another hour of waiting - this time inside - the opening act S.O.A.P. come on stage. S.O.A.P. is a duo of 2 Danish sisters - Heidi and Line - they just released their 2 album "Miracle" including the single "SOAP is in the air". Being the openig act for Savage Garden all over Europe is a fantastic opportunity for these 2 young girls to make it big. S.O.A.P. is very much not my kind of music. They performed 6 songs and they did quite well - the audience were very nice to them and they told us, that they felt really good being back home in Denmark.

Then we were all back to waiting and when we hardly couldn't wait another minute the sound of a remix of Madonnas Music started. Then I knew that the moment we had ALL been waiting for, for so long was just about to begin. The lights went out AND THERE THEY WERE - SAVAGE GARDEN on stage finally. It was just as MAGICAL as I expected it to be. EVERYBODY in the audience started to sing along with Darren right from the first word of The Best Thing.

It was now time for me to sneak out my camera just to once again realise, that all though I was wearing my new high healed boots I'M STILL TOO SHORT TO TAKE PICTURES AT CONCERTS. All I ever get on my pictures are hands in the air L. A tall guy standing next to me noticed my dilemma and very kindly offered to take the pictures for me - THANK YOU whoever you are.

The sound was fantastic and the lightshow was amazing. Darren and Daniel both looked SO full of energi and they were ALL over the stage during the whole show. And Daniel smiled his famous smile ALL evening. He is SO much into the music and the audience. If you ask me he's not only playing his guitar on stage - he's making love to his guitar. The whole thing just knocked everybody over. Looking around I was really surprised to realise that about 1/5 of the audience were actually male and that all the guys sang along and went just as crazy as the girls. This was great - I had expceted it to be very much a "girl thing" but it wasn't.

After one or two songs Darren said "Hello Copenhagen WE'RE FINALLY HERE" and "I know my Danish really sucks" and then he even said a few words in Danish that I couln'd hear because of the croud making so much noice. During the whole show Darren several times shouted "YOU'RE GREAT - THANK YOU - WE LOVE YOU". I think he made everybody feel that the band enjoyed it just as much as we did.

Hold Me was on and Darren started looking for the lucky girl. The young girl he picked was obviusly VERY surprised and shocked to get dragged on stage. Once up there she was speachless and Darren had to ask her name several times. Poor girl. And she didn't even have a camera to capture this magical moment of hers.

During the acustic set everybody switched on their gas lighters witch created a very romantic, intimate atmosphere but as a sideeffect made the temperature rise to a heatwave level and left the arena with absolutely no oxygen left.

Halfway through the show 3 huge white curtains unfolded. Angela joined Darren for the famous shadow dance and in the end of Chained To You Darren went up on a platform and started doing some very theatrical movements. And again the lights were just amazing. Everybody loved it and I think this made even the very few sceptics realise that Darren is not only a great songerwriter and singer but also a great performer and dancer. During CTY I suddenly spotted Lee's face sticking out through the white curtains - this really made me laugh - he looked SO FUNNY (SORRY Lee).

The Animal Song seemed to be everybodys favourite song - including me - and at the very first sound of it the crowd just hit the ceiling - everybody were jumping up and down being totally ecstatic - this sure was the highligt of the evening.

To quote Darren "all good things must come to an end" and as Affirmation was on, people started to faint due to the extreme heat in the arena. As I was dieing of thurst and my feet hurting so much that I just couldn't stand up for another second I began to force my way towards the exit.

As Affirmation ended Darren thanked the audience for making the evening so special, said goodnight and SEE YOU NEXT TIME. I now rushed out the arena and as I ordered a large, icecold water I realished that my voice had gone.

Typing this 4 days later my feel are still killing me - but guess what - I'M DOING IT ALL OVER AGAIN AT THE SECOND DENMARK CONCERT ON 26. NOVEMBER 2000. And next time I'm sure to meet the other BBS girls as we're traweling together and staying at the same hotel.

If you still haven't seen Savage Garden in concert - all I can say is GO FOR IT. Darren and Daniel, the backup band, the backup singers, the lightshow - IT'S EVERYTHING YOU EVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE.

SO SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

Susanne

Birmingham NEC
Birmingham, United Kingdom
November 10, 2000

It was EXCELLENT!!!!
The atmosphere was amazing, savage garden preformed brilliantly. The mexican wave before the concert got everyone up on their feet. Then everything went dark, and on came savage garden with the stage full of colour!!!.
Every song was perfect, the dancing was excellent (darren is a brilliant dancer). They sang every song of the album "affirmation" and darren got everyone singing to "truely madly deeply". Darren also wore those gold trousers and man did he look hot in them!!!!!!
Hope everyone else enjoyed their concerts

Helen, Lincolnshire, England

Birmingham NEC
Birmingham, United Kingdom
November 10, 2000

Just to say I saw SG in concert at Birmingham NEC and I loved it!!! The atmosphere was emotional, the energy created sensational. I also thought that when Darren called the small girl onto the stage, it was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. I think us fans need more of this. Who agrees?

Helen Jordan
(18,Birmingham)

Visit Helen's website: http://www.geocities.com/pachabelle82/madness.html]

Birmingham NEC Arena
Birmingham, UK
10th November 2000
and
Manchester Evening News Arena
Manchester, UK
20th November 2000

I woke up on the 9th of November excited as it was my birthday and I only had one thought in mind where are my Savage Garden tickets. So i ran down stairs and opened my card as it was the obvious place for it to be, opened card no Savage Garden tickets I was so upset and couldn't be bothered to open the other presents, until my mum urged me to. So I did, a box of chocolates, a bag that was it until I opened my bag and found them, I couldn't stop jumping up and down from the excitement.

The concert was brilliant, Darrens voice amazed me along with the moves (the crotch grabbing) and Daniel was excellent on both the Guitar and the Piano. I was fixed and got tickets the next day for Manchester. The Tickets came and so did the night. Crash and Burn was playing and I was taking my pictures then suddenly I got pulled out of the concert, due to the fact i had a digital camera and I didn't relies that you can't take them into concerts. So they made me delete the pictures but I made it back for the end of Truly Madly Deeply. But it didn't ruin my evening, the concert was still brilliant.

Tanya Wiles

Savage Garden, Newcastle Arena
Newcastle, United Kingdom
November 9th, 2000

At 9pm, on 9th November, the stage lit up with an array of bright lights, and Savage Garden began a brilliant evening , launching into their first song 'The Best thing', followed by Break Me, Shake Me. The fans were up on their feet from the first second, dancing and singing along. The atmosphere was fantastic and the guys were welcomed with open arms, to the North East of England.

A particularly favourite part of the show was when it was just Darren and Daniel accompanied by a piano. As they sang songs like Santa Monica, You can still be free and Imagine, Darren's voice was amazing and Daniel's musical talents were just perfect throughout the whole evening. The whole arena joined in with imagine and it was quite emotional at times. Not for long though, as we were launched into the massive beat of the Animal Song, and everyone was up again having a great time. Darren was talking to the crowd throughout the evening and it was clear how much the music means to them. It is obvious that their songs are written and sang from the heart, and that means a lot to their fans. He also has a good sense of humour and this was clear when he wore a gold lame suit to sing their 80' s beat sound ' Chained to you' . I don't think he was impressed with those trousers!!!

As they sang more songs from ' Savage Garden ' and ' Affirmation, the fans did not want the night to end. From the brilliant ' Crash and Burn' , I knew i loved you and the perfect Truly Madly Deeply, everybody, encouraged by Darren, sang along. When Affirmation began, everybody made the heart sign with Darren, and then they said their goodbyes.

Savage Garden and their band were brilliant. Their music has the ability to transport you into their world and through many different emotions. We left the Arena feeling elated and happy, and can't wait for them to come back to the North East again.

Thankyou

Viv Durant

Mexico City, Mexico
October 31, 2000

I think pretty much everything is been said about Affirmation Tour, I just wanted to add that Savage Garden´s concert at México City was the best I´ve been to in my life. I want to think I´m not over acting, since I´ve been lucky enough to assist to a concert of each of my idols (except "Guns and Roses"... maybe someday) and this is the one I enjoyed the best, although I had to travel 12 hours in a bus to get to México City.

They seemed very excited too. We were extra excited because it took like 15 minuntes from the opening band till the beginning of Savage Garden´s.

As most of you do, my favorite part was when they played Chained to You and I must say I LOVED the golden pants. Darren also sang a small part of "Spinning around" just a line "I know you're feelin' me 'cuz you like it like this", but it was quite crazy.

But I think we all love it and can´t wait to see them live again. They´re certainly THE BEST THING.

Nora Marisa

Mandalay Bay - House of Blues
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 10, 2000

An array of pink, violet, blue, green and bright white lighting - spotlights, strobes, synchronized to the beat. A fast-paced, energetic, and sincere delivery of emotional themes: love, loss, comedy and tragedy. Excellent vocals, acoustics, costumes and choreography – all wrapped up in a professional commitment to entertain. …One and a half hours of pure sensory captivation. Where am I? …A Savage Garden concert, of course!

On September 10th, Savage Garden performed at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kina was the advertised opening act, but did not perform, reason unknown. Without the opening act, the wait for the show to begin took a little longer than expected for anxious fans, but Savage Garden took the stage promptly at 8:30 pm. Madonna’s “Music (makes the people come together)” immediately preceded the band taking the stage for the opening song “You’re the Best Thing About Me”. Was Madonna a special request from Darren to kick-off the concert? I think so.

About 75 teens and young adults rushed toward the front of the line when the doors opened, vying for places closest to the stage. (Maybe “stampeded” is a better word!) I admired their enthusiasm and determination, but at the same time, thankful I was not in the mix! One very lucky young lady by the name of Shannon made it to the front of the crowd. She carried a very unique sign that appeared (from a distance) to be a chalkboard on a wooden stick, with colored chalk lettering that said “Hold Me Tonight!” White lights glittered around the perimeter of the sign. Very eye-catching and creative, it eventually earned her passage upon the stage. Hugs, kisses and pictures followed with Darren and Daniel. I hope Shannon’s memory of all this is NOT designed to fade.

Overall the crowd was very diverse: small children, young to middle-aged adults, and senior citizens. Proof solid that the music and messages are universal, connecting all of us. For those who have ever hesitated attending for fear of not fitting in with the crowd…don’t! Just go, you will have one of the best times of your life.

The “Chained To You” performance was a noticeable crowd pleaser. (Three “crotch grabs” from Darren definitely got the audience’s attention right from the start!) The dancing was provocative and hilarious entertainment all at the same moment in time. It was an exceptional musical skit with overwhelming personality.

Darren and Daniel have incredible stage presence. Even though Daniel doesn’t prefer the public aspects of being a performer, he was “into” the guitar throughout the concert, and all smiles. Darren has an amazing ability to involve the crowd and make eye contact like you are the only one there. They are an on-stage combination that defines the word “charisma”.

“Affirmation” ended the concert. The band members bowed and exited, the stage lights faded, but the music lives on.

Dana (a.k.a. bbs’er “Casper”)
Houston, Texas

Universal Amphitheatre
Los Angeles, California
September 8, 2000

As I waded my way through the emptying crowds of Universal Studios Theme Park on route to the Ampitheatre where the concert was being held, I was keeping a keen eye on who was actually going into the concert hall. I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive, being somewhat of an older fan, expecting most everyone to be a young teen-age girl. To my surprise and relief, the crowd was filled with all sorts of people, young and old. I saw parents with their young kids, a teenager with her grandparents, young couples, older couples, you name it. I realized then how wide spread Savage Garden's appeal is, and how their music seems to have touched the lives of so many.

Before the concert started, I had to check out the souvenirs. I bought a program which has the most amazing pictures of the Daz and Dan, and a short intro about the Affirmation Tour. It mentioned how they really wanted to make the concert an experience, so they've added special stage and lighting effects to really make the show special.

Kina opened for Savage Garden. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with her music, but she really got the audience pumped up with her soulful rhythm and blues style.

After that, behind a huge black curtain, you could sense a lot of activity going on, and the anticipation was just building. All of a sudden, you could hear an intro to a song, building up, the house lights come down, the audience starts screaming, the black curtain goes up, and they open with "The Best Thing." The stage looks incredible, there's lights flashing everywhere, Darren is rocking in a short black jacket and black pants with sequins all over them . Of course, the most noticeable thing... the hair!! No more black hair! But who cares? He looked fantastic.

The audience was on their feet for most of the show. I was caught up in every song, I thought I'd be annoyed if people sang along, but everyone was doing it, and so was I. I Can't remember the exact order, but they played "To the Moon and Back," "Hold Me," "The Lover After Me," "Break Me, Shake Me," "The Animal Song," "Crash and Burn", and "Santa Monica." Darren also does this real sexy rendition of "Gunning Down Romance" with one of his backup singers, Angi Bekker. All I can say is that with all that bumping and grinding going on on-stage, the audience was really getting excited!!

The best part for me is when they slowed things down a bit, and it was just Daniel at the piano and Darren's beautiful voice. This is where he sang the ballads, "I Don't Know You Anymore", "You Can Still Be Free," and a really heart-felt rendition of "Imagine." Darren then introduced Walter Afanasieff who played piano on the "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine" track on the Affirmation album. Let me tell you that this, being one of my favorite songs, made me feel like I was going to melt in my seat --it was soooo beautiful.

Another sweet moment was when Darren asked a fan who was holding up a sign if it was really her birthday. When she said yes, Darren pulled her to the stage, took a picture (I mean he actually shot it), then asked someone else to come up on stage, and take a picture of the two of them. She then kissed Dan on the cheek, started to walk back to her seat, when Darren points to his cheek for a "Where's mine?" before she left the stage. Ohhh to be that girl!!!... and how gracious is that?? No wonder people just adore him.

After the first set, they thanked the audience and left the stage. The audience was on their feet begging for more. They came back with different outfits. The whole group was wearing white now. Darren said that he never wears white, but that this was a special occasion. It was also a short white jacket with flared white pants and sequins. He was also wearing these wild sunglasses, and brass knuckles hanging from his belt. Too cool.

They did a kind of pseudo S and M version of "Chained to You," in which Angi does a fake kick of Darren's back and he mimes some chain pulling action on both girls. It was really nicely choreographed. Everyone was just loving it. They then did "I knew I loved you," "Truly, Madly, Deeply," in which he invited everyone to sing the bridge, and he was genuinely appreciative of that. They ended with "I Want You," and the very last song was "Affirmation," in which the light show really goes nuts, and the whole evening just ends on an upbeat note, that you could still feel the electricity and enthusiasm in everyone as we walked out of the theatre.

Needless to say, it was one of the best concerts ever, and I feel so lucky to have been able to experience it. If they ever appear anywhere near your city, you MUST go see them. Their music has regenerated a love of pop music that has been lost within me for quite some time. I thank them not only for a wonderful show, but also for their uniqueness and courage to show us that music can once again have meaning.

Jane N.
Trulymadly - Savage Fan BBS

Thank you Caedn, for this great picture :)

Chronicle Pavilion @ Concord
Concord, California
September 6, 2000

I went to the Savage Garden concert in the Concord Pavillion near San Francisco. I have to admit that it was the highlight of my short life. I am only eighteen years of age.. it was the best show I have ever seen and it touched me more than I could ever express in words. His voice penetrated my heart, and the words scorched my soul. I have never heard anything that could match that concert, and I could never hope to. The first tour, even the next(even if it is Darren's colo concert) could never do the same thing that this particular concert did. It hit me harder than a bag of bricks. And because of this, I've taken life more seriously, because he sang about things I can't even describe. It was beautiful.. and I can't hope for anything more than that for the rest of my life. I know it may seem pathetic.. but I can't really describe what I felt at that concert.. I really can't.. it was beautiful.. and touching.. and just the way he sang, and somewhat spoke about things.. made me feel like I was actually special in a way, when I'm actually not.

If Darren ever reads this (Which I doubt he won't cause he's much too busy) I want him to know that I thank him for everything he has ever done. Like given up his privacy and things like that.. and I know I can't claim to love him.. because I'm not really sure of myself anymore.. I'm crying as I write this you know.. because I'm listening to my Savage Garden DVD Live and on Tour in Australia.. and it's beautiful.. it really is.. so this email may be crappily written. As I said before.. I can't claim to love him.. but I do admit I have a heaping big crush.. I had one even before I knew what he looked like.. the first time I had ever heard Truly, Madly, Deeply.. a truly wondrous song.. so beautiful that I wish someone could love me enough to write something like that for me. Again I want to thank Darren for everything he has done.. because his music has helped me through the hardest times of my life.. I know that also must sound pathetic.. but it's true. Because the first time I ever fell in love, and my heart was broken because of it, I was listening to Crash and Burn, and somehow, I don't know how, I knew I would be alright. It was because of that song that I didn't try anything stupid.. because of the message it sent out. It made me want to call my mother.. and I did.. and everything turned out for the best.. even though I haven't been with anyone since.. but being alone isn't as bad as people may think it is.. not when you have the kind of music that fills your heart and soul with joy, with love, and with understanding like Savage Garden's music does.

I also wanted to thank Daniel Jones, the back up vocals, and the back up band for all they have done.. because I know Savage Garden would be nothing without them.. I want to thank them for being the best that they could, and playing with Darren to make his talent come to light.. you guys will never know how much all of your music means to me.. because I know you probably won't read this. But I thank you anyways.. because I don't want to sit back and do nothing when I owe everything to you guys.. because I do.. I really do.. I literally wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Crash and Burn.. because the day of my 'death' was the same day I first heard that particular song.. and it really did touch me in a way any man could not. I hope you guys continue making records.. and continue touching the hearts of millions of fans across the globe.. because I don't know what people would do without talent likes yours. This is more than I ever prayed for.. Sometimes I think all of you, the Savage Garden band, even Darren and Daniel, are angels. Sent from above.. from god itself. I love you guys... and I thank you from the depths of my heart.

Darren this is for you:

Late at night I think of you
Sometimes I wonder if I can love you true

Your silken hair is soft to the touch
Then I ask how I can love you so much

Your deep blue eyes make me easily lost
They're happy and light like winter's first frost

Your touch makes me melt, swoon, and sigh
I love it, makes me feel a permanent high

Just being around you is where I want to be
You're an angel, every breath is a swim in a cool cold sea

I love you my dear, I am yours for all time
Please say you love me and be forever mine

Thank you for the billionth time.. and I hope you guys make more music.. nothing would ever be the same without you. You tamed my wild heart.

Love,
Rachel Hackett
jendara@hotmail.com

GM Place
Vancouver, BC, Canada
September 1st, 2000

More Than I Could Have Dreamed For

I pinch myself everyday just to make sure I’m living my real life again, because I can tell you, September 1st, 2000, I must have been living a dream. The dream I’ve been having for months, maybe years. Not only did I go to THE most incredible Savage Garden concert ever, I was pulled up on stage for the time of my life!
Months before the concert, I constantly thought and wished that I could be the "Hold Me" girl, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would really happen.

Before I knew it, the countdown of concert days was gone and I was watching my two idols on stage making a gripping entrance to The Best Thing. I had come prepared with a sign that read "Darren, HOLD ME tonight please" and I held it up right at the start. Darren saw it right away and signaled for me to lower it as it was blocking people’s view. So I gladly put in under my seat and when I lifted my head again, I saw him tap his wrist where his watch would be, and then his temple as if to say I had bad timing. I laughed hysterically!! It was so funny!
The entire concert was just emotional, passionate and everything and more then I wanted and expected. It was really fantastic and amazing. I can’t describe it any other way. Everything was intensified by like 100, then what you see normally. During the slow/piano songs it was absolutely beautiful.
He dedicated it to Leonie’s father as usual and to anyone who’s felt loss and rejection..pain. It was stunning and I felt them. I cried. Darren & Daniel are AWEsome together.
When the gorgeous tune of Hold Me started from the stage, my heart fluttered and I frantically searched for my sign under my seat. After a minute or so of singing far back in stage, Darren walked closer to the front. I saw him scan the crowd, brushing his arm over us all. I held my sign and couldn’t help but feel extremely giddy. Unaware of what Daniel was doing, I suddenly saw Darren pointing straight in my direction. I think I yelped and dropped my sign and I don’t remember, but supposedly he told me to bring my camera, which I did.
I didn’t think about what I was doing, it just felt like I had been waiting for this for so long, and it just came out of me. When I got up on stage, I gave Darren the biggest warmest hug and kiss that I could squeeze out of myself. His sweet smell rushed over me and I felt his sweat on my cheek. I held my head in disbelief… All I could get out of my mouth was "Thank you soo much, I love you", which I said more than once. He sang to me and I blushed my usual redness. Pictures were taken and he led me by the hand to the side of the stage where I looked out into the audience and almost wept with happiness. He was singing, I believe, and stopped to ask my name at which point I said "Chris", semi-timidly into the microphone. It was my first stage appearance in front of thousands of people! He then asked where I was from and with my giddy energy, I yelled "Vancouver!!" and laughed nervously. I looked out into the crowd and I think I probably could have lit the arena up, I was beaming so much.
When Karl hit the drums near the end of the song and the beat became louder, I jumped up and down with Darren in a "half dance, half I–don’t-know-what-to-do-with-myself" action, and I saw his electrifying smile back at me. I could have died right there. In my state of shock, I hugged and kissed him again and told him all I was thinking, "thank you, I love you". My voice quivered and he held me, smiled and returned with what I think was "I love you too…" I remember telling myself to savour the moment and I did not want to let go. Darren pointed for me to go over to Daniel. I happily turned and showed my back to Darren which read in foam cut out letters "BBS-ER DAZ’S_GOLD" and he smiled. :D
I hugged Daniel while he was strumming away on his guitar and saw one of the security guards signal for me to come down. I saw Darren once more, who hugged me as I left. I cried in my best friend’s arms and sat my weak legs down.
At the end of the concert, on some sort of an Affirmation rush, Darren started to bang his body into Karl’s drum set..*rofl*..and he was licking the glass…it was hilarious! Then he collapsed and fell down on the ground..*lol*
I really got the impression that this is what it is ALL about. Darren and Daniel have followed their dreams and inspire me to not only do the same, but to give to others unconditionally.
Darren and Daniel, I can not thank you enough. This special night was truly incomparable and the night of my life. It was more to me than just hugging and kissing you. I wanted to show you how much you mean to me, and I hope that my spirit and love came though in my hugs. I am not sure how I was so blessed to have you in my life, but I try not to question this blessing, only savour it.
You have changed me so much; I now look at life from a different perspective. I love you both.

Love in the most sincere way,
Chris L.

Thanks to Deb and Janet for letting me use this picture!

Meadow Brook Music Festival
Rochester Hills, Michigan
August 22, 2000

I know that I had already seen Savage Garden live once in concert, and thought "my God these guys are TALENTED and SEXY"...and I knew they were going to play again near where I worked at the time. I was determined after reading stuff about them on websites, joining Savage Fan BBS, and starting my own SG website to go and see them LIVE again!!!!

A local radio station was running a contest to win GREAT seats at the Meadowbrook Music Festival - the venue they were going to play at (it is about a 30 minute drive from Detroit)....I was practically glued to my radio trying to be the correct caller every time they played a clip of Darren saying "This is Darren Hayes from Savage Garden..." *melts and sighs*...but every time I tried, I wasnt the right caller, and wasnt having ANY DAMN luck...so I decided to go online and try my luck there...I found at the Ticketmaster site (they sell tickets there)...I entered in the required information, and got a seat in the 17th row...I was so excited but the stupid computer took 4ever to process my order thing, and if it wasnt done in 5 minutes, you lost the ticket...I was so mad that the next time I went on, I got seats much further back...I was not deterred though...I called the direct number to the ticket agency...and got back the seats I TRIED to order in the first place online!!!! I was SO EXCITED!!!

I had to hide my excitement at work the day of the concert and also was kinda hyper too...I drove directly from work to the venue...I got there right when they opened the gates so you could park...I went to the will call window and got my hands on my precious ticket...While I was waiting with others to be admitted into the venue, I talked to a lucky Canadian fan who managed to get Darren and Daniel's autograph on her CDs...I even touched the covers too...how lucky she was!!! While I was waiting, I was a little bored and wrote on my arms in black ink: "I love you Darren - I want you to take me to the moon and back"...

Kina opened for Savage Garden that night..she got a good reception from the audience - after all Detroit is her hometown...After Kina finished her set...it seemed to be an eternity till the lights dimmed and the music came on...then it HAPPENED....Darren and Daniel were on stage...THE BEST THINGS...I was totally mesmerized at that point...and totally focused on Darren the WHOLE night...I cant help it - he looked SO DAMN sexy in his leather pants...and his voice just about made me melt and sigh...So many great moments of the show - the piano section with IDYKA, TBAACM, and YCSBF...AND IMAGINE....of course Chained to You...the crotch grabs..**mind in perv mode**..."when the stars are shining brightly in the DETROIT sky..." during TMD...I dont remember the exact song that this happened but during much of the show I was doing sign language to Darren.."I LOVE YOU" then I managed for a just a second or 2 to make EYE contact with the SEXIEST MAN ALIVE...he looked RIGHT at me..

I couldnt believe it that I was so far back and got him to look at me...someone who would DIE for him to touch her one time...I havent been the same since....and a darksider for LIFE...I loved "IKILY" and "TMD"...and of course "Affirmation" doing the hand signs...

The skies were looking like it was going to rain the whole time but the rain held off until the show was finished...it started to rain gently then while I was driving back to my apartment, it just POURED hard...I listened to my Affirmation CD all the way thru 2 times...it took that long to get home...but it was worth it...I barely slept all night...I was just on a high....but a good one...with memories of a night to cherish each moment...always and forever....

"Miss Rose" aka Janet Marie

Midland County Fair
Midland, Michigan
Monday, August 14, 2000

I had the privilige of going to see the boys play in Midland, Michigan on Monday night August 14. The show was fanastic and the best concert I have ever attended. My favorite numbers were "Truly Madly Deeply", "I knew I loved you", and "The Animal Song". The tickets were a belated birthday present from my sister and were worth the wait. I hope to go to their show in Detroit's Meadowbrook Theatre on August 22 (either try to win tickets from the radio station, or buy them myself). I was on my feet nearly the whole show (partially because I am short!!- but because they are worth seeing)!!

--Janet Marie
Michigan, USA
http://www.angelfire.com/pop/jsgshrine/

Illinois State Fair
Springfield, Illinois
August 13, 2000

Hey, all!

The night of August 13th, 2000 will be an unforgettable night for me! I had the TIME OF MY LIFE that night!! Savage Garden opened with "The Best Thing" then onto some other songs. They pretty much performed the whole AFFIRMATION album live!!! John Lennon's "Imagine" was also played!

I loved it when Darren did the sign languaging during "Crash and Burn" (my favorite) and made a heart with his hands during "Affirmation". I loved the vibe at the concert. During "Chained To You"....now, that was an unforgettable experience!! I did enjoy the dance that he did with Angie and Elisa. Of course, Darren was in his "Elvis" costume.

There wasn't a "Hold Me" girl at this concert, but a "Hold Me" couple. I would like to say "Congrats" to them on getting picked. Loved the fact that they played "Truly, Madly, Deeply". Again, that night was the NIGHT of my summer. I can't wait to see them again!

I'll be waiting for SAVAGE GARDEN!!!

CHER :)

I LOVE YOU, SAVAGE GARDEN!!!

Musikfest 2000
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Wednesday August 9, 2000

From the moment the first notes were played, Savage Garden electrified the night of Wednesday, August 9, 2000.

Made up of the vocal talents of Darren Hayes and the musical genius of Daniel Jones, the Australian band Savage Garden is my favorite band. I was fortunate enough to see them in concert at Bethlehem's Musikfest.

The guys put on an amazing show, complete with bright lights, emotional performances, and amusing costume changes. There was a good mix of old songs from their self-titled debut album and new songs from the 1999 release *Affirmation.*

Although our seats were rather far back, the sound remained clear all night. We could see everything that was happening on stage thanks to a giant screen in front of us that was projecting live images.

The audience had a great time singing and dancing along to many songs that so many of us know so well. "To the Moon and Back," "Truly Madly Deeply," "I Want You," "I Knew I Loved You," and "Crash and Burn," the band's most recent U.S. single, were all met with much pleasure.

But the song that probably got the most response was "The Animal Song." The crowd clapped along to the song's catchy beat from beginning to end.

Between songs, Hayes thanked everyone for attending the concert and encouraged us to "open your hearts and come with me" on his journey of affirmations.

Before the song "You Can Still Be Free," Hayed mentioned all of the fan mail the band receives and how much it means to him to read about how the music helps fans through difficult times. He said, "Music means everything to me," and dedicated the song to the fans.

For three of the songs, a grand piano was rolled out onto the stage and Jones accompanied Hayes as he sang. Hayes requested the help of the audience to sing a rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine," but he had to stop the song to laugh at how badly we sounded. He thanked us and told us we were "wonderful" nonetheless and then took over the vocals for the remainder of the song. This acoustic set was beautiful, but I was disappointed that they omitted two songs that I heard they had played at other concerts.

One very lucky girl was pulled out of the audience and "held" by Hayes during the song "Hold Me." Again showing his appreciation for the fans, Hayes snapped pictures of himself and Jones with the girl while she was on stage. Until I get my picture taken with Hayes and Jones, I will be terribly jealous of this girl!

For me, two of the highlights of the concert were the songs "Crash and Burn" and "Chained to You." "Crash and Burn" is a song about communication and Hayes learned sign language (a different way of communicating) for the last verse of the song. It was moving to watch.

"Chained to You" was the first song during the encore. Hayes came out in a white jacket, white pants, a silver shirt, and sunglasses and gave his best impersonation of Elvis. The crowd ate up every minute of it as the backup singers chased Hayes around the stage. It was truly one of the funniest things I have ever seen.

After having waited so long for the night of the concert, the hour and a half duration of the show was over much too quickly. I can't wait until the next tour so I can see my favorite band again. No sore throat and earache that lasted for three days was ever more worth it. I would happily sing and scream that loudly again any day, as long as I could be graced with Darren and Daniel's presence once again.

Liz

(This was the review that Liz wrote for her local paper. The title they gave the article was "Savagely Good Show" and the lyrics to TAS were printed along the side of the page.) Great job Liz!

Musikfest 2000
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Wednesday August 9, 2000

I have to say that OMG i was lucky at the Savage Garden Musikfest concert on Aug 9, 2000.

At first the whole week I was trying to get VIP ticket for me so that I could have a shot at being picked by Darren for Hold Me. I had General admission ugh! (after the first 35 rows) BUT we arrived late and I saw a guy selling his one VIP ticket so I very very quickly claimed  that and paid him the $20 he wanted which hey is great being it gets me 30 rows closer! But being we were late they already let the sections seat so I couldn't find a seat in the first section but then the last row of that same section (about 15 rows I think) I found one single seat 5 seats in and asked the ppl to hold it for me to see if I could find a better seat up closer so..... I found two ppl who I knew and they had seats in the FRONT row and there were two of them and three seats so I asked them if I could sit there and they let me and we were talking about how this is our last concert for this tour for us and we got front row AAHHH on the side with Ben and Lee and Karl.

I made a sign for Hold me saying "I NEED YOU I WANT YOU TO HOLD ME TONIGHT PLEASE!"  I brought that to Boston SG concert and so for Musikfest I said to myself I think this is the ticket so i brought it with me and thank God I did!. Thank God I found these two people who I met at Radio City and Boston!

So ...I held up my sign right after TAS and held it up until he was going to pick somebody i was jumping up and down and he came over and was looking at me and smiling and deciding. Pete (my friend whom i met up with there) was pointing and motioning for him to pick me haha that was so cute thank you Pete!!!! then this security guy comes and tells me to put down my sign because ppl can't see...well i wasn't liking that i kpet it up but not as high he was telling me this as soon as Darren came over and Darren saw the guy telling me, I think , (with me still holding my sign hoping to get picked!) this and I looked at Darren and then at the guy and then at Darren and he was smiling and pointed to ME!!!!!!  I was Like OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took a pic of Darren pointing to me!!! Because I thought he was motioning for a pic and then he motioned for me to come up and for the guards to help me! I was so nervous I didn't know how I was going to get up there but anyway there was a space in between the stage and the fence from us in front row. The guard pulled the gate unhooked and the stage was rather high but I managed to get up on one of the big metal box things and scoot on stage butt first up on stage. I was on my knees and he got down too and he hugged me and kissed me on my cheek, I think. I hugged him and he felt sooo good like he was really sweaty but he was soo warm and I could feel his back through his orange shirt because it was very thin silky like material, and plus he was all sweaty too.

He leaned back and grabbed my arms and he yelled in my ear "I'm sorry I am all sweaty" then he hugged me again. A few seconds later Darren had my camera but the rope from the camera was still around my neck so he took it and pulled it off from around my neck so he could take our picture and so I put my face up against his so we be close in the picture and neither of us wouldn't get cut out by accident.  Then he gave it to the guard by the edge of the stage down on the ground-level and he took a picture of us  Darren leaned up on the side of me and he put his arm around my shoulder/neck to give the peace sign! then Darren or me took the camera from the guard and Darren told me to go over to Daniel!!! so we got up and I walked over to Daniel smiling at him and he was looking and smiling  at me while I was walking over to him with few glances at his guitar then I am finally to him and I put my arms around him and I give him a hug and kiss on his cheek!!!!!!!AAHHH  and I am like standing behind him just thinking OMG and I looked at his hair and His butt(shhh)lol and his clothes and I was just taking it all in and watching him play because Darren is waiting for Dan to turn to him and be ready for the picture(b/c Darren has my camera to take the picture) I keep smiling at Darren then back to Dan and his soo cute smile. My hand was on Dan's shoulder the whole time waiting to take the picture! I don't remember what Darren or Daniel smelled like but I am sure it was good LOL

Then after Darren took the picture of me and Daniel I went back to Darren and we were facing each other and we gave each other a huuuuge hug and we wrapped our arms around each other and then he leaned back and kissed me right on my right cheek. He gave me a big kiss I felt his whiskers and lips (holy crap!) push onto my face and I was in shock!  Then he gave me another Huge embrace and  then I gave him a big kiss too on his right cheek lol He was too cute the whole time he was smiling and when I kissed him he smiled so bright and then he took my hand and kissed my hand  and again he pressed really hard with his lips and I felt his whiskers again. ( almost died!)  He held my hand while walking me to the middle and front of the stage. Darren raised both our arms up to the crowd and everyone cheered I was like wow! and he was smiling and then he brought our arms down but he continued to hold my hand and walked me to the left side of the stage and I was thanking him lol and he was smiling and singing. At some point Darren gave me my camera back lol I think it was before the arm rasing thing or right after it I don't remember. So I got off the stage with the help of a guard and Darren I went right back to my seat and me and my friend were freaking out he was like OMG Donna that was soo awesome, and I was getting more hot because I was so excited that that had just happened to me. I took a few more pictures during Hold Me.  The whole time I was on stage felt like forever it was great!

Donna Gaston

Musikfest 2000
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Wednesday August 9, 2000

I saw them last night (8/9/00) and they were awesome!!!!!!!!! I took my daughter to see them, her first concert (she's 11). What a wonderful experience for her -- the fans (including myself) were so into it!!! Darren and Daniel were supreme performers and I didn't sit down the entire hour and a half --- dance, clap, yell, scream, etc. It was so enjoyable and really moving. You could feel the energy of Darren and Daniel all through the entire concert --- I knew they both loved what they were doing and the feeling they put into each second of every song was electrifying.

My daughter will talk about this one for a long time! Hopefully, they will be back next year! The only thing that would have made it better is if we could have been up front (we did get to sit at the end of the 10th row).

Diane Wilson

FleetBoston Pavillion
Boston, Massachusetts
Friday July 28th, 2000

I had been waiting since the middle of May for that day. It had been almost 2 years since I had last seen Savage Garden at their Boston concert during their "To the Moon and Back" tour. I had thought that concert was the best day of my life. But my mind was changed on July 28th, only to find something even better.

The gates at the pavillion opened around 6:30 PM, and there were crowds of people (around 5 or 6 thousand attended the concert - the FleetBoston Pavillion is a somewhat small venue) buying merchandise such as T-shirts, programs, pendants, and posters. I bought a T-shirt and a program, which contained some new pics of Darren and Daniel, pics of live performances, and even some of the photos seen in some of Leonie's travel diary.

The opening act was a young black woman named Kina. I thought she was pretty good - her music is sort of like Savage Garden's except it has more of a mainstream pop/rock edge to it. Her debut single is called "Girl from the Gutter", which is receiving radio airplay in America and the video is also being played on MTV and VH1.

Kina's set began at 7:30 PM and ended shortly before 8 PM. By then, the crowd was pumped up. And when I say pumped up, I mean PUMPED UP. Then, around 8:20 PM, the band began an upbeat musical piece. The black curtains were drawn aside, and there was the band, with Darren and Daniel at the top of the stairway in the back of the stage. They played "The Best Thing", then "Break Me Shake Me". Such an adrenaline rush was passing through the crowd, for we were all standing, screaming, and singing.

I was extremely impressed with the backdrop of lights. They moved with the beat of each song and often changed colors. They were especially impressive during "To the Moon and Back," my favorite song from the first album. Next came "The Lover After Me." After this song finished, the band left the stage, and Darren spoke to the audience.

The acoustic piano set began afterwards; just Darren singing and Dan playing the piano. They played I Don't Know You Anymore, Santa Monica, 2 Beds and a Coffee Machine, You Can Still Be Free, and Imagine by John Lennon.

The backup band returned after the set, and Karl began those famous jungle drumbeats for "The Animal Song". This was followed by "Gunning Down Romance" and the shadow dance with Darren and Angie. Probably my favorite performance in the whole concert. OK, maybe second favorite, for "Crash and Burn" was next, and of course, I had to perform the sign language along with Darren at the end.

"Hold Me" is the one performance that one little girl in the front row of the concert will remember for the rest of her life. During the middle of the song, Darren asked her "Will you come and dance with me?" He picked a girl who appeared to about 10 years old and was in tears. I though it was so cute, but of course, I was a bit jealous. "Truly" was next, and then the band left the stage for a quick break.

The dance routine for "Chained to You" was absolutely hilarious, with Elisa and Angie constantly fighting over Darren and Darren grabbing his crotch a few times . . . a reminder of "All Around Me" from the first tour. "I Want You" was next, and then, Savage Garden's biggest hit in America, "I Knew I Loved You." It started off slow, like the album version, but the final few minutes was Dan's Mini Me remix.

Darren and Daniel then told us all good-bye. Some people were actually convinced it was the end and began to leave. But I didn't. Not when they hadn't performed Affirmation, not without an encore!

Yes, Affirmation was the encore. Unbelievable: that's the word I can use to describe it. The whole entire pavillion was lit up from the backdrop. And Darren had the crowd make little hearts with our hands, peace signs, thumbs-up signs, and all sorts of positive symbols.

Then the concert was over.

I've always known that I can't afford to miss Savage Garden in concert. Now I'm 100% sure why: because no one, not even BSB and N-Sync or other acts like that, will ever put on such amazing performances as they will. Because they stun me every time. Because it is just so much fun. Because I will always be a fan of Savage Garden.

Sara Letourneau

Radio City Music Hall
New York City, New York
July 25, 2000

We were standing around waiting, talking and complaining about dripping air conditioning ducts, when around 330, a dark blue van pulled up near us. I wasn't paying attention but I happened to look up from my conversation and saw Ben walking toward ! us. So we said, "Hey Ben!" and he smiled and said hi back, and Lori and Cindy started talking to him, so I looked back at the van for Daniel. Lee was walking with a vid camera taping the RC marquee, so we said Hi Lee! and he smiled and said hi, and then I said hi to Elisa and Angi (who didn't look very happy until I said hello), who were wheeling little travel packs with them like stewardesses (so cute!). Then we saw Daniel, so we went over and said hi. Pete asked for a picture, and Dan smilingly obliged. Dan was in an incredible mood. After Pete, I asked for a picture, and Dan said "Sure!" and, I thanked him for talking to CY & I yesterday ("Ah, it was no problem"). Then Lori took a picture with Dan, but she wasn't sure if the flash went off, so Dan said, let's take another one, so I did. Cindy was standing behind me, so I asked Dan if he was familiar with the Internet sites, especially the one with all the radio stations. He said he wasn't familiar, but he had heard! of it, so I stepped back, pulled Cindy up and said, well, this is Cindy, CinSavage, she's the one with the site with all the radio stations promoting for you guys, so he immediately thanked Cindy and hugged her. They took a picture together. Dan signed a few things for everyone, and then he had to go in, so we waved bye and wished him a good show. You do not realize how good Dan looks. I mean, I was swayed back to Dan-love yesterday, but after this afternoon, he was all I could think about.

Around 4, maybe 430, they had blockaded the entrance to form a path, so it was fairly obvious that Darren was arriving soon. Susan, the assistant tour manager was outside, guards were standing around blocking off spaces, I look down the street, and Darren, Leonie, Lee (the tour manager) and some other people were crossing the street over. It's my one goal to have a picture with JUST Darren, but unfortunately, I did not have that opportunity. I was at the WRONG end of the barracade, Pete and Lori and Cindy were at the end closest to Darren, so they got pictures. In fact, Lori was taking a picture with Darren when Darren recognized Cindy and immediately pulled her over for a hug with Lori stuck on his arm still. Lori had to pull Darren's arms off her and slip under Darren's arm to get out of the hug! Darren kissed and hugged Cindy, publicly declared her an angel, and they took a picture together. Since he was coming down the barracade, I figured I'd have the chance for my picture, but he started taking so much time with other people (being the sweetie he is) that when he got to the person next to me, Lee kept bugging him because he was 45 min late for soundcheck. So he hugged the person next to me, and I asked for a picture but he said "I cant but how about a hug instead?" What can I say? We hugged and then he turned around, and dealt with the other fans (and took a pic with someone in a wheelchair- very sweet), and then finally he got inside. I should mention that while Darren was down at Lori's end, Leonie was right in front of CY & I, so we talked to Leo. I asked her to confirm where the butt was naked or not, and LEONIE said it was definitely clothed and that the people on the BBS needed to lighten up because it was a joke. I told her it *was* funny and that I was laughing hysterically. She told us that Darren would come out again later afte r the soundcheck. We got to hear a little bit of it (a lot of Karl drumming) and then we heard a strange version of Lover After me, but by then it was 5 and we had dinner plans with other people, so we couldn't stick around.

We had dinner which was fun and went by so fast. After dinner, we went back to Lori's room, about 12 of us, and 4 of us had to change into our concert clothes. At around 745, we left to go to the concert, all thrilled out of our minds because 6 of us were second row PIT. I sold my extra ticket, and then we went inside.

At the show:
Radio City is absolutely amazing as a venue, and as I walked by where I had sat last time for Oasis, I started freaking out because we started walking further and further down... into the pit that was sectioned off... MY SEAT WAS RIGHT DIRECT CENTER!! I was second row, but there was NO space between the seats and the stage, so I was about 8 feet from the center mike. The pit was absolute homey. I knew everyone in my row from previous encounters, and some of the people behind us and the people off to the side which included Claudia, and Jorja who was in the front row in front of Lori and Cindy.

Kina was the opening act and she was good. I liked her, she was a lot like Macy Gray, maybe a little less funky, but still kickass. I wanted to get some water because I knew I would need us, so I made my friend Donna go out with me to grab something... as we walked out of the pit, we were getting DIRTY looks from people in rows AA and BB. I felt SO bad but hey, I EARNED my seats! When we got out of the seating area, we ran into my friend Michelle whom I'd met a few weeks ago with Carla. We started talking, and when we came back with my water, Michelle and I started looking for Leslie, who was another fan that we'd met with Carla. When the show finally started, I was completely BLOWN away because I was RIGHT in front of Darren. I'm not easily impressed but tonight, I was insane. CY and Pete can vouch for that because I was dancing and singing up a storm.

The greatest parts were, Dan and I made eye contact a few times and he recognized me. At one time, we met eyes and he nodded his head down to his setlist and gave me a look like "Do you want it?" so I nodded and mouthed back "yes!" Then he smiled and nodded, so I knew that I was in for something later. Another time, I was watching Elisa and I had met eyes with her before, but I hadn't realized she was probably looking (and laughing) at me a lot during the show, because at one point, I finally waved to her and she immediately waved back. I was 2nd row, but the woman in front of me never got up and never moved in her seat. During Affirmation, Darren ma! kes the crowd go through hand signals, and the first one is to make your hands into the shape of a heart. Of course, I had my hands up there in the heart shape, and after awhile, Darren and I met eyes, he grinned and motioned with his own heart-shape, and raised his eyebrows and smiled. I nearly died, because for a brief moment, we shared a moment of appreciation.

Other highlights from the show - after the acoustic set, Darren went and got Daniel a bottle of water and wiped Dan's forehead with a towel. Later on, at the end of the IKILY remix, Darren hugged Daniel and I think Claudia (who was RIGHT up by the stage) threw rose petals on them which both of them started grinning at. And guess who got the drumstick from the IKILY remix?! Cindy and Lori went right up to the stage and Darren was coming down from getting the drumstick, saw Cindy immediately, went over, handed her the drumstick and kissed her cheek. I watched Cindy accept it, and then sort of MELT onto Lori's shoulder. It was SO CUTE. And guess who was the Hold Me girl?! (not me) When Hold Me started, I was like, hold on, that's the chorus and he hasn't picked anyone yet - maybe he won't do it - and then I saw Darren smile and motion for someone. I turned around and MICHELLE was coming down the aisle. The guard and Darren helped her onstage, and Darren took her hand and continued singing. Then he got on his knees and sang to her for a verse, and then he sang the chorus and hugged Michelle a BIG squeezy hug right after he sang the "hold me" part. Then he started motioning to us to take pictures, so he pulled Michelle close, we started taking pictures, Michelle pulled out her camera which was in her back pocket, and Darren took a picture of Michelle WHILE holding a mic and singing, and then Michelle held the camera away from her as she and Darren took a picture together. Then he took her camera and motioned for Michelle to go to Daniel, and then he took a picture of Michelle and Daniel (who was still playing the guitar). Then Darren hugged and kissed Michelle, and let her get off the stage. As soon as she was down, Claudia grabbed her and hugged her. I was absolutely thrilled for Michelle.

The cover of John Lennon's Imagine during the acoustic set was amazing. Darren told us to sing along, and let us sing the "oooh oooh oooh ooooh" part but we sounded awful because it sounded like we were cooing. Darren and Daniel started laughing at us. "Elvis has DEFINITELY left the building..." During Chained To You, or you know, when Elvis takes over Savage Garden, the routine was more hilarious than the All Around Me routine from the first tour. "I just wanted to let you all know that... during this evening, in no way was this crotch ever harmed." Darren wanted hear everyone sing during Truly Madly Deeply and kept motioning that we weren't loud enough. Heavens... Donna and I were RIGHT in front of him. We leaned over the seats in front of us and SCREAMED the song. I hope Darren wasn't scared. I was so loud, I could hear myself over the music.

The setlist:

The Best Thing
Break Me Shake Me
To The Moon and Back
The Lover After Me

acoustic set:
I Dont Know You Anymore
Santa Monica
Two Beds And A Coffee Machine
You Can Still Be Free
Imagine

The Animal Song
Hold Me
Gunning Down Romance
Crash and Burn
Truly Madly Deeply
Chained To You
I Want You
I Knew I Loved You
I Knew I Loved You remix

Encore:
Affirmation

After the show: I waited for Lindsey to come over. Donna and I had talked to Lindsey before the show, and Donna had asked for Dan's setlist and I asked for Dan's guitar pick. When he came over after the show to clean up Dan's equipment, I asked him for the pick, and he was looking around to see if Dan had dropped any. He couldn't find one, and he was taking the setlist off the ground so he offered it to me instead but since Donna had already called it, I told him to give it to her. I wanted the pick, so Lindsey reached into his pocket and gave me one... and then he found a lot in his pocket so everyone started crowding around reaching for one. I told him Donna, CY and I were going to be at Boston, and he said that's great and I told him to look out for us and he said he would.

Much later after the show, we were waiting in the RC lobby, and there was just chaos of everyone leaving, and fans crowded around trying to buy merchandise. CY had gone to get me and her a tourbook, and she came back and said, Karl's over there. He was talking to 2 other people, so I went over and asked for a picture so we took one together.

The only complaint that I had (which I only voiced in my head) was that I was so close, whenever Darren and Daniel weren't standing right next to each other, I couldn't get both in my field of vision. I had to concentrate on either Darren or Daniel, and guess what - Daniel won out. He looked absolutely gorgeous, especially in all white, and since we have "history" (LOL!) now, I was in pure heaven to just gawk at him. I did give Darren plenty of my eye but he rarely looked at the people directly in front of him. I'm dead tired now, but that concludes the crazy day that Savage Garden took Radio City by storm.

Amanda
http://www.crosswinds.net/~thegardencache/

Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sunday 21 May 2000

It was 21st May 2000,a day planted firmly in my mind forever i think. My friend had been kind enough to tell me it was on and had harassed Ticketek until the tickets came on sale. we got second from the front row, out of 15000 seats. i was so happy by that fact a lone and for weeks before i thought of nothing else. i had never been to a really decent concert thing before and was not completely sure what to expect. that night my friend and i drove the 2 and a half hours to the Brisbane entertainment Centre (he had to come, he was the one who introduced me Savage Garden at the very beginning and i will be ever grateful to him for it)

Vanessa Amorosi was the support act, and while her talent was clear, the audience was definitly Savage orientated. But when she said"wait till u see what Savage Garden has got for u" and at the mention of the name the audience went crazy, i knew this was going to be a Very memorable night. We chatted to this really nice security gaurd in the intermission and hetold us that the GUYS were really nice, not like some other arrogant performers that had been there(tell me something i don't know!!!).

As the lights dimmed we hit the restraininig fence and i was literally shaking from adrenalin. to top it off, my favorite song at the time was first, "the best thing". the lights were so incredable u felt like you were getting thrown back and i just couldn't get over the fact that the people who had rocked my lounge room for so long were standing in front of me.

Basically the whole concert, Daniel stood 2 metres away playing ther guitar. we waved our glow sticks and he looked up a few times and smiled and winked. he is a really sweet person, u could see he was not entirely comfortable with all the attention and he was totally involved in his music. i really hope that our gratitude makes it worthwhile.

Darren was definitly more athletic, how he could move around so much and keep the clarity and power is incredable. Being so close the effort and concerntration was clear. It was so heart felt, so soul searching beautiful that it made me want to cry in some ways. the mood changed too and that was good, one moment you are listerning to the more intimate songs, such as the ones where Daniel accompanied darren on the piano, which were up lifting and the next moment you are jumping up and down and screaming out to anyone who's listerning that u want to LIVE, LIKE ANIMALS.

The back up vocals, Elisa and Angi are really talented and made me laugh with some of their antics, (how u managed to move around so easily in such high heels is beyond me!) i guess every girl wished they had your jobs too! Congrats, your talent has got you such a groovy job.

Oh and in Hold Me, when Darren chooses the girl from the audience, i thought that was so wonderful, ofcourse we all want that to happen don't we? but i wasn't jealous or mad or anything i was just so happy for her. Then when Superstars and Canonbals came on TV, they showed her afterwards and it was just so nice for just this average school, with a sweet big smile got choosen!!! I was also surprised to see myself and my friend really clearly FOUR times on the video. i didn't even notice that i was getting filmed, who gives a DAMN about cameras when Daniel and Darren are around.

To other band members, Carl, Kim, jennifer and Ben, it was really good to see so many people enjoying what they are doing, and doing it so well. I waved my glow stick at Ben Carey too, and i got a HUGE grin (he is soo funny!).

After Truely Madly,Deeply, they all said farewell and me and the other 14999 screamed NOOO! i was soo scared it was all over, I had left reality and i really didn't want to go back. Everyone started banging the metal fence and screaming but seeing as the music had stopped, i could actually hear my friend this time when she yelled in my ear to be heard, "it's not over yet. it can't be. They will sing Affirmation. They have too." RELIEFNESS!!

They definitely did return, beginning with a Las Vegas Elvisy style rendition of Chained to YOU. It was so strange. it was so far removed from SAVAGE GARDEN usual style and it was funny. you could tell they were loving hamming up elvis. I don't think we should ever be surprised by S G doing something different. Their albums attest to it.

I loved Darrens jacket from the first part, it was so shiny and chainy, how he kept it on for some songs is incredable, but he looked unreal. Daniels spider shirt with the cross and zips was really good to. The gals were very spacklelarkley!!

the only things i regret is not taking my camera and not waiting for 2.5 hrs for them to come out around the back. maybe they wouldn't apprieciate the intrusion, so perhaps it's for the best but even if what i said would be heard before, it wouldn't have been any less sincere. and NEXT CONCERT (oh please come back soon!!! can u do and ENCORE CONCERT????) unless i know for certain that they wouldnt like it, i bringing a camera and im waiting around the back with a big SINCERE present for them.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER
PEACE AND LONG LIFE
LOVE AND A BIG HUG FOR U BOTH
MAYBE ONE DAY I"LL BE YOUR FRIENDS
And THANK YOU FOR YOU WONDERFUL MUSIC
DESIREE

Savage Garden Concert
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Sunday 21 May 2000

The night had finally arrived and as I walked up the steps of the Entertainment Centre you could feel the excitement of the crowd, gathering at the gates to be let in. I think everyone knew that seeing a internationally famous group in their home town was going to be something really special.

The support act was Vanessa Amorosi, who arrived on stage to a very welcoming audience. Vanessa is a marvelous talent and did a great job of warming up the crowd, (not that I think we really needed warming up - we were rip roaring ready to go the minute we walked in).

After an interval of half an hour everyone took their seats again. Savage Garden were due on stage at 9pm, just prior to this time a very loud rumbling bassy sound came over the speakers, enough to shake the adrenaline out of those glands. The whole crowd was sitting there in excited anticipation.

The moment we were waiting for - everything went black, Darren began singing the first few lines of The Best Thing. The crowd erupted and on stage the curtain came up and there in the spot light was Darren. Simultaneously the guitar riff began and the stage lit up with light panels of different colours, with a great big circle in the middle of the stage and there was Daniel (yowza yowza Savage Garden at last). The both of them on stage with the band and singers, everyone exuding energy.

I think they played three songs after which the stage once again fell into darkness. Darren calls out of the darkness "There's no place like home!", and just when you think you can't yell or clap any louder, you dig deep and push the envelope of your larynx and lungs ( my only regret is that I can't whistle....loud...really loud ).

After another set of songs, the stage goes dark and the spotlight is on Darren. He has a talk to the crowd and explains "This is not our show, it's your show. You left your world outside when you checked your tickets at the door. We're going on a journey, into here (hand on heart), it may get dark but we'll get through together, and see you at the end of the concert."

The crowd once again roars as the spotlights come on stage and Darren walks down to Daniel, who is now seated at a Grand Piano. He softly begins playing I Don't Know You Anymore. This magnificent set of songs included Two Beds and a Coffee Machine, Imagine and Santa Monica. Even though there was a full house that night, this was a very intimate set, which was sung with emotion and passion. These songs touched the hearts and souls of every person there that night.

To pick my personal highlight from the show would be an unrealistic thing for me to do. The whole show was completely amazing, the lights, the band, the crowd. But nothing could possibly over-shadow the music, and the two brilliant songwriter/musicians responsible for that music.

My day to day routine was pushed to the back of my mind as I sat and listened, danced, clapped, everything except whistled (not for lack of trying). Every beat of the drums, every strum of guitars and every note that was sung with that amazingly beautiful, pure voice, sent us further on our journey.

Daniel may not have sung or spoken, but he was certainly no less evident during the concert. Putting as much feeling and emotion into playing their music as Darren did into sing the songs.

If you have the chance to this remarkable duo in concert - go...go...go - don't regret missed opportunities.

Congratulations guys for taking us all on a marvelous emotional journey, for heart mind and soul. At times sad but always hopeful and uplifting. We danced, clapped, shouted and cheered our hearts out, no one wanted it to end. As I was walking out I was thinking how awesome the whole show had been and I was ready there and then to go back in and experience it again (and again, and again).

Daniel and Darren - Brisbane loves you - we are all extremely proud!

I can't wait till next time.

Julie
Devoted Fan Forever

2dayFM Sydney Savage Garden concert
Sydney Entertainment Centre
Saturday 13th May 2000

by Gerry Quach

We arrived just in time to see Vanessa Amorosi start her supporting act performance. She had several songs lined up, including "Shine", "Have a Look" and of course the brilliantly vibrant "Absolutely Everybody", all of which were very *loud* and energetic. :) Vanessa is a great performer and hopefully she will get the chance to tour on her own in the near future. Sitting in the middle section of the Sydney Entertainment Centre, it was literally possible to feel the booming sounds rattle the air during some parts of the songs!

After Vanessa finished her leadup act at 8:30pm, the fans were in for a rather lengthy half hour break. To make the waiting and anticipation a little easier, groups in the audience tried to start a Mexican Wave. It worked! The monster wave, spanning all the way from the bottom rows to the very top rows, rippled its way circularly around the Entertainment Centre, to the amusement and delight of everyone present.

Just as people were beginning to get impatient, the lights dimmed, music gradually filled the air and the curtains were whisked away to reveal a spectacularly colourful and intricate stage setup. In the middle of it all were two amazing people, Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones, and their talented accompanying six-piece band. With much screaming and cheering from fans, and the spotlights shining brightly on the pair, Savage Garden launched into "The Best Thing" and I have to say that song has never sounded better! It was a great upbeat way to start off the show. This was followed by the rather mellow and brooding "Break Me Shake Me".

When the opening electronic notes from "To The Moon And Back" began, it was obvious that this was definitely an audience favourite. Starry flashing strobe lights and the eerie blue and black backlit stage set the scene for an incredible journey into outer space! :) The song is an emotional one for many people because it symbolises and acknowledges the kind of suffering and despair as well as hope people go through and have to cope with, a theme that Savage Garden is well- known for. With the blue and white flashing stage lights, and the smattering of candles and green glowsticks gently floating amongst the audience in the black void, the whole thing really did look like a scene from outer space!

After an excellent performance of "The Lover After Me", the set was dimmed, the stage was cleared and the spotlights fell on the lone pair of Darren, and Daniel who was on the grand piano, playing the opening notes of "I Don't Know You Anymore", which marked the beginning of the special five-song piano sequence. The next song was the eternally popular "Santa Monica", and the moving "Two Beds And A Coffee Machine", which is Darren's take on the disturbing issue of domestic violence in our world.

After the peaceful sweeping landscape of "You Can Still Be Free", the music morphed medley-style into a special rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine", and as the emotions rippled around the hall, Darren invited the audience to sing along with him... as he had said earlier, this night was to be one where we were free of any pain, free of any problems and troubles, and as we sang the words to "Imagine", we knew Darren was true to his word :) ... "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, And the world will live as one..."

The piano sequence was followed by the brilliantly fast, racing, thumping jungle beats of "The Animal Song", and it brought the entire Entertainment Centre to its feet, clapping to the beat and cheering! The positive energy was amazing and the incredible music was a testament to the uplifting powers of Savage Garden.

Next song was the excellent "Hold Me", during which Darren customarily invited one of the girls in the audience to come up on stage with him. Said person was kissed and thoroughly hugged by Darren, while she made her way around the stage with him, which must have taken a lot of courage to do, seeing as they were on a brilliantly lit stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. :)

"Gunning Down Romance", a sort of successor to "Break Me Shake Me", was darkly but brilliantly done by Darren, who was supported by one of the backup singers, Angie. Together they performed a series of cleverly choreographed dance movements that showed up as edgy, brooding shadows on the huge white projector screens in the background.

Next up, "Crash And Burn" received a particularly rousing reception, no doubt partly because it is the wonderful new single recently released by Savage Garden. As the comforting and reassuring words sung by Darren reverberated around the hall, I realised that no CD recording could ever come close the the emotion and energy that is a live concert performance. And finally, one of my all-time favourites, the eternally soulful "Truly Madly Deeply" was played, which was so passionately and beautifully done by Darren and Daniel. It was like floating, lost in the velvet sky, between heaven and earth! It's been many years, but I know everyone would agree the song has lost none of its magic.

It was at the end of this song that Darren nonchalantly announced that the show was over, and as the lights went out the band briskly made their way off stage. However, this fooled no-one, as every fan knew there were still vital songs left unplayed :) Sure enough, after much screaming ("More, more!") and cheering, Darren, Daniel and co. re-appeared, this time with Darren dressed up as an Elvis look-alike with suitable sunglasses and pose, to the tune of "Chained To You". In a series of hilarious and goofy stunts with the backup singers Angie and Elisa, including the renowned trademark pelvic thrusts, Darren reaffirmed the witty and carefree spirit of the night. At one stage he declared to the many amused parents present that in no way was any part of Darren's crotch harmed during the proceedings :)

In keeping with the racing tempo, the much-celebrated "I Want You" came up next, with people up on their feet and Darren urging everyone to scream. Without the benefit of studio technology and mixing, Darren had to make full use of his aerobic breathing abilities to sing and keep up the incredible tempo of this zany song! As people rocked to the tunes it suddenly seemed like the seated areas of the hall were way too small for this crowd!

"I Knew I Loved You" was greeted fondly by the fans, who loved the the sweet and innocent theme of the song, including those magical words adored by so many, "A thousand angels dance around you...". At one stage, Darren urged all of the audience to make a "heart" sign with their hands, which was very moving. Towards the end of the song, the tunes transformed smoothly into a version of the "I Knew I Loved You" mini-mix arranged by Daniel. At the end, Darren alerted everyone to the plight of sick and disadvantaged children, and asked us all to donate to the much-loved charity that he has supported over the years, the Starlight Foundation.

Once again, Darren announced that the show was over, but he fooled no-one; nice people make for lousy liars. :) As expected, the band re-appeared within minutes to a dazzling display of flashing lights and the inspiring, uplifting tunes of "Affirmation". This was yet another song that brought the entire audience to its feet, and as Darren would say, the positive energy and karma was breathtaking! As Darren sang his affirmations and made the "peace" sign with his hands -- a sign synonymous in history with both victory in war, and later, peace -- it symbolised a triumph over adversity and setbacks in life. As Darren once said, "Sometimes we fall down but we get back up again and we're stronger for it."

The end of "Affirmation" signalled the end of what was a fantastic, no holds-barred show for everyone who attended. Darren, Daniel and the rest of the band gave their all for the concert, and the fans let them know their appreciation with an incredible display of cheering and clapping as they bowed out. Many fans left the Entertainment Centre that night with sore throats and an euphoric high feeling! Whatever uncertainties and doubts I may have had about the concert were totally erased by the end of the evening. I received all I could ever ask for, and more.

For those of you who wanted to go but couldn't make it, I hope you can get to see them in concert one day. It is definitely an experience you won't regret! While great on CD, the music is always much, much better heard and experienced and *felt* live.

Is there such a thing as meaningful music for the masses? Yes, there is, and it's called Savage Garden. :)

P.S. Savage Garden's "Affirmation" album is now back at the #1 spot on the ARIA charts (as of 15th May 2000). Yay!!!
Congratulations to Darren and Daniel, they deserve every bit of this honour!

- riqu|n =^.^=
(gerry)
intuition@savagegarden.bn3.com

13th May 2000
Sydney Entertainment Centre

My Personal Experience

The lights went out….I see shadows in front of me & then BAM!! Darren & Daniel are come out screamimg “never want to fly, never want to leave” and yes that was the moment my whole body said “get up & dance woman!”. Everyone was going crazy screaming & waving to anyone that would look. It was pure excitement. My heart was beating so fast I thought I’d have a heart attack.

“Sit Down please…!” Oh…Im sorry did I hear someone yelling at me? I turn around & sure enough 3 girls were yelling at me because I was standing and dancing at a Savage Garden concert. I honestly didn’t think that was a crime, so like straight out of a movie I casually say “Are you talking to me?” “Yes can you please sit down cause we can’t see!” …O…….k! They were serious….and so was the mean security guard next to me. Damn! There was no way that I was going to sit down at a Savage Garden concert…so what was I to do? Getting down on my knees I start dancing away. It wasn’t that bad actually. I wouldn’t recommend it but it’s better than having someone whine in your ear all night. Now…back to the main menu…

The guys were fantastic. Oh no!… Darren’s looking at me…that’s ok as I’ll just check myself out by looking in the mirrors on Darren’s multi-functional leather jacket. Talk about Flash! Something straight out of a Bond movie. Darren works the crowd real well “c’mon everybody” he screams while swaying his arms in the air during “The Animal Song”. Have you ever tried to do that & take a picture at the same time? Someone should write a book on how to successfully do this. Daniel throughout the show would occasionally look up & acknowledge our existence “AURGHHHHH” we scream back trying to grab his attention…hmmmm maybe next time?

Can you imagine every girls face in the crowd, when one very very lucky fan got hand picked by Darren to share the stage with them? It was a funny site especially when Darren smacked one big kiss on her lips! Yes I think there are quite a few cracks on the floor at the Entertainment Centre from every girls jaw hitting the floor simultaneously. I was lucky as I was on my knees and I managed to catch mine before it hit the floor. Oh joy!!! It seemed like forever that she was up there. It was just too painful. Booo…Hissss!!! I know it is a sin to be jealous of someone but I would be lying to you if I told you that I wasn’t. I’m sure God can forgive me….again.

Who ever said Elvis was dead forgot to go to a Savage Garden concert. I am sure that was him & not Darren Hayes. This was my favourite part of the show. The skit were Angie & Elisa are fighting over Darren might have been based on a true story. It could have been me & that girl that got up on stage earlier *evil grin * . It honestly was like watching a comedy show. The girls are fighting each other & Darren is caught in the middle screaming “ …you promised you would’nt do this in Sydney” and then crawling beneath them escaping their scratching & hair pulling fight. I tried to take a picture but it came out very blurry as I was laughing so much. I soon ended up having a sore tummy with all the giggling I did. Oh look!!! Daniel looked up again “over here will ya!!!” why won’t he look at us? Maybe next time…

Oh oh!! I lost it here. Everyone is swaying & holding someone’s hand when “I knew I loved you..” was being sung. It was very romantic (where’s a boyfriend when I need one..) but WOAH what was happening? What is Darren doing? Oh gosh…it looks like he’s having a fit or something…” I wanna boogie” screams Darren continuing with his never before seen break dancing. Wow…first Elvis now Michael Jackson impersonations .. aren’t we lucky ducks? To finish off his break dancing he attempts to do ‘the caterpillar’ move. Ouch!! That I’m sure would of hurt! He quickly got up after that & made that comment about his crotch. “Thank God for that” we all screamed back.

Oh dear…We are starting to feel that the end was near for us. The guys come back from their second encore and start & finish with “Affirmation”. This time I ignored the girls behind me & shook my bon bon good & hard. Woo Hoo!! Bye Savage Garden you guys rocked ( as Vanessa Amorosi stated earlier simply for our reference..lovely girl!) . What a great show. Have a look at some of the pictures I took . I know I didn’t write much about the actual concert but I’m sure you have read a lot from others and as they say “a picture paints a thousand words” so I will let you go off & enjoy them.

Hope you all had a good laugh!

Natalie natalia_amor

Here are some of Natalie's Pictures From The Sydney Concert (Aren't they great? Thanks for sharing with us Natalie!

Perth, Western Australia
Entertainment Centre
Saturday, May 6

As the curtain rose Darren and Daniel appeared on the set silhouetted against the letters SG built from a bank of coloured light and launched into ‘The Best Thing’ and ‘Break Me Shake Me’ before asking everyone to stand up and dance to ‘The Animal Song.’

Darren, initially dressed in black leather with mirrors, chains told us, ‘Tonight is about escapism.. leave your life at the door. There is no pain...only the songs. The concept was simple and spectacularly executed. Rectangular panels of neon lights hanging around the stage flashed and pulsed in bright colours to a once seen, never forgotten lights extravaganza. But, perhaps the best night of the evening was Daniel on grand piano accompanied by Darren in a medley of ‘I Don’t Know You Anymore, Santa Monica, Two Beds, You Can Still Be Free and Lennon’s Imagine.’ They let you see the sadness and bring you back out of it to know there is hope.

The strangest part of the evening occurred when Darren and one of the backing singers acted out a self therapy tableau in front of three giant screens during ‘Gunning Down Romance’. Darren and Daniel returned dressed in white for the encore of ‘Chained to You and I Want You,’ with well choreographed dance movements and a sassy disco theme. The pace continued with a remix of ‘I Knew I loved You’ rounded off with ‘Affirmation.’

The Affirmation world tour is like a feel good movie to lift your spirits and for an hour and a half, it was. In an enthusiastic and polished performance Darren and Daniel wanted to give it’s fans and non-fans alike an evening they would never forget - and they did just that.

Melissa from Ballajura, Perth WA.

Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Thursday 4th May 2000

My name is Jane McMillan and I am from Adelaide, Australia. On Thursday, May the 4th 2000 me and my friends went to the Savage Garden Affirmation concert at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. It is safe to say that this night was the best night of my life and I will never forget it.

The concert started at 8pm and I had been lining up since 4pm as it was after school. We actually got into the centre at about 7pm and Savage Garden didn't come on until 9:10pm but, it was well worth the wait. The supporting artist for the concert was Vanessa Amorossi. I don't know whether you would've heard of her or not but she is a very successful Australian artist. Most people weren't very supportive of her as we were all waiting for Savage Garden to come on. But nevertheless I thought she was brilliant.

After a gruelling 30 minute interval, the boys themselves, Darren and Daniel came on. The emotion of seeing Darren just got the better of me and I was standing there in the middle of it all balling my eyes out. After the first song (The Best Thing) finished I had finally contained myself and was having a good time.

The set is brilliantly lit up with all the colours of the rainbow. You almost had to put your sunnies on in some songs because of the brightness of the lights. The lights moved to the beat of the music and changed colour for every different song. It was easily the best stage set I have ever experienced and something that has to be seen to be believed.

It is hard to remember the exact order of the songs in the concert but I will tell you some of the my favourites from the concert: The Best Thing, Truly Madly Deeply, I knew I loved You, Affirmation, John Lennon's Imagine, I want you, Break me Shake me and Chained To you.

Out of all of the songs though, my favourite was Hold Me. In this song Darren pulled one of the girls out of the crowd and sang to her. The lucky girl was on stage for about 2 minutes taking photos with Darren. Darren sang to her, kissed her and hugged her. It was a very special moment and every girl in the audience was envious of that very lucky girl.

Another one of the highlights from the concert was when the backup band went off stage and all that was left was Daniel at a Piano and Darren sitting next to him. They sang a medley of songs including I dont know u anymore, Imagine and Two Beds and a coffee machine. During the time that this happened not one person in the Adelaide Entertainment Centre was disappointed. It was an excellent display of exactly what Savage Garden are about - the music.

Darren was wearing a black leather outfit with black pants and a jacket. He then took the jacket off to reveal an orange tank top with a mesh top over that and he looked very fine. After the break he came back on in a white elvis look alike suit with sunnies on. A very sexy outfit who had every female in the audience standing in a pile of drool. Daniel was very casual and did extremely well in the concert. He didn't talk to the audience at all but then again that's not what he's about, he was there to play good music and that is what he did and he did it very well.

After about an hour and a half on stage we realised that this magic night must come to an end. They did a double encore finishing with Affirmation and it was fantastic. When they walked off stage and the lights came on I was left there crying because it was over. It was a fantastic night and it took me about an hour after the concert to stop crying.

To all of you who are going to the Savage Garden concert, have a blast. If I could do it over again I would go in a shot. It is an experience that you will never in your life forget. I was really moved and I'm sure you will be to. I love Savage Garden.

Jane McMillan

If there are any questions please email me at paceygirl@cheerful.com

Ange's Melbourne concert review - 2nd May, 2000

At the moment I am very happy. Life is so amazing that it just seems surreal. I travelled to Victoria from Tasmania to see the 2 Savage Garden concerts in Melbourne. Now that they are over I still have 2 to look forward to in Tasmania (Launceston and Hobart).

Savage Garden's stage production for the Affirmation World Tour is one of the biggest seen in Australia by an Australian band. The tour was produced by the same team who have worked with U2 and REM. Rehearsals for the Australian tour took place on the Gold Coast at Movie World and cost over $500 000. It will cost the same amount to transport the set between the cities in Australia. The set includes 100 moving lights. 200 dimmers control the backdrop.

This is my review from the first Melbourne concert. It was the third highly anticipated concert in Australia after Cairns and Townsville. Vanessa Amorosi opened the show. The highlights of her appearance were her singles 'Have A Look', 'Absolutely Everybody' and 'Shine' She wore a blue lycra suit with red stars. She was a great lead up for what was to come but it was Savage Garden that absolutely everybody wanted to see grace the stage.

After a looooong interval with much anticipation the lights finally dimmed, fans screamed and Darren, Daniel and the backup band appeared on stage. 'The Best Thing' was the opening song and after the first few lines the stage lit up. The set was "big, bold and probably bright enough to light up your neighbourhood" as Darren stated in a recent interview, but I think it could've lit up an entire city, in this case Melbourne. The crowd sighed simultaneously in amazement and then a roar erupted. The audience was dazzled by the illuminated colour and the vivid sound. It was probably the most enormous set that anyone there had ever seen. In that second the stage and the audience came to life and the energy, immortality and emotion felt at that moment lasted throughout the entire concert. As a loyal and adoring Savage Garden fan I realised that the last 2 and a quarter years of what seemed like endless waiting for this beautiful moment were finally over. Daniel's guitar riff flew through the auditorium blessing the ears and the hearts of thousands, the ecstatic fans present. Darren wore black leather pants, a black jacket and an orange top. He looked absolutely gorgeous and like a real pop icon. Daniel was wearing all black and looking Truly, Madly, Deeply amazing.

The next song was 'Break Me Shake Me' Savage Garden performed it with intense power and energy. The overjoyed crowd screamed and clapped. Ben (Savage Garden's backup guitarist) interpreted the guitar solo incredibly well and it sounded brilliant. When 'To The Moon And Back' started, everybody cheered because this is one of Savage Garden's major hits and a favourite of many fans. Everyone loved the passionate performance of this remarkable song. The end was performed very differently to everyone's surprise. 'The Lover After Me' was very moving with Darren yelling 'Hold on to love' - a very important message. The lighting changed in each and every song but it was always stunning, overwhelming and psychedelic.

After this came a very memorable moment. Darren spoke to the audience. The beautiful voice of the angelic figure resonated wondrously through the room. He commented on how many people were in the house, thanked everyone for coming out to see them play and talked about how he was happy to be back in Australia. He then declared "I want you to leave your life at the door. Tonight there are no problems. Tonight there is no pain. I want you to come inside here (pointed to his heart) inside the heart tonight and listen to the songs." His affirming, moving speech touched every soul in the auditorium and left some in tears of joy.

Next came my favourite part of the concert, the 5 song acoustic set. Darren sang and Daniel played a magnificent grand piano. It was a very touching and breathtaking moment. It proved that they didn't need a multi million dollar set and a six piece backing band and that their best work is on their own. Just Darren Hayes, Daniel Jones and the beautiful music that they had written over the past few years. It was a true reflection of their talent. As Daniel played the piano he was feeling every note with his magical hands. Darren sang wonderfully as he graced the stage and the hearts of 15 000. Darren was given his wish, there was no pain in the room. There was only the true beauty of Savage Garden and everybody listened to the songs, enraptured. The first song in the acoustic set was 'I Don't Know You Anymore' They also performed 'Santa Monica', 'Two Beds And A Coffee Machine', 'You Can Still Be Free' and a beautiful rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine'

'Imagine' went straight into the strong, blaring beats of 'The Animal Song' that boomed through the auditorium. Darren encouraged the audience to get up off their seats and spotted where he thought the best "party people" were. It was an unbelievable moment with every single person off their chair singing, clapping and swaying their arms, completely intoxicated by Savage Garden's performance. 'Hold Me' was the next song. Darren lifted a girl out of the audience after she gave him a single red rose and embraced, danced with and kissed her. He even got down on his knees. Every single female in the audience was extremely envious including me. He sang exquisitely an encouraged the audience that they'd better say they're sorry and hold on to the one they love. 'Gunning Down Romance' was definitely a highlight of the show. Three white screens came down over the stage and Darren's shadow appeared behind him on the screens as he sang the disillusioned song. The huge shadow went all the way up to the ceiling in some parts of the song expressing the anger within the lyrics and music. It had a very theatrical feel to it and was brilliantly choreographed. At the end the screens went up and the lighting and Darren's movements were very powerful. 'Crash And Burn,' the most recent hit single, was performed with a contrast to the recorded version. Darren presented the sign language that is featured in the film clip and left everybody speechless. 'Truly Madly Deeply' was sung by the entire audience. It was the song they know so well and love so much - Savage Garden's most successful song in Australia. The fans were left craving more after Darren and Daniel pretended that was all, said goodnight and left the stage but you could sense that there was more to come...

A couple of minutes later Darren was back dressed in a white Elvis-like outfit and sunglasses. Throughout the song he danced with Angie and Elisa (the 2 backup singers). It was the most comical and bizarre moment of the concert and one of the most entertaining. In 'I Want You' Darren yelled "I want to hear you scream". Everyone screamed. It was almost deafening. This was the highest point of energy in the show. The crowd danced, sang and everyone was having the time of their lives. Next came an over 10 minute version of 'I Knew I Loved You.'It went straight from the original version into the mini-me mix that Daniel had arranged. Darren sang angelically and the audience was in complete awe. It included a snippet of the Stardust song 'Music Sounds Better With You.' Darren was now wearing a silver singlet top and white pants and looked attractive and seductive. Daniel looked incredibly divine and breathtaking in all white. Darren attempted to play drums which was amusing and he then threw the drumstick into the audience with lots of fans desperately trying to snatch it. Darren then asked the audience to make a donation, even if it was only 20 cents, to the starlight foundation (an organisation that helps young children with diseases and illnesses). It showed that he was a very compassionate and beautiful person as well as a superstar.

Savage Garden left the stage again, teasing us, leaving us begging for 'Affirmation.' They came back on stage and played it and I swear those impressive trip hop beats are still echoing through my mind now. There was no more miraculous moment in the concert than this. The crowd was astonished and in complete admiration of the pop duo from Brisbane. Darren made a heart shape to the audience with his hands showing his sweetness and most of the delighted audience returned the gesture. At the end of the concert the band came forward to the front of the stage and bowed. The audience was united as one as they screamed and clapped in a standing ovation from small children to parents. It really was an all ages event. The vibes in the room were positively and undeniably amazing, electric. It can only be described as heaven on earth. I hoped the concert would never end, but unfortunately it didn't. I wanted the moment to last forever.

Daniel, like a star was shining for the entire night. Bright and radiant, his talent had never been more obvious. He played both guitar and piano superbly and was adored by everyone present. Darren was amazing strutting his stuff on stage flamboyantly, proving that he is a born pop sensation. Is there anything this man can't do? He sang, danced, acted and had everyone of all ages in admiration - a born entertainer!!! He sang pleasure into out hearts. Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones are both 50% of this incredibl