We step back into the light, after the break!
'TRULY. MADLY. DEEPLY.'
Longtime readers will know how much of an impact Darren Hayes... leader of timelessly renowned late '90s-early '00s pop duo, Savage Garden... has had on the music of my youth. Spoken about it too many times to reference. You can search the archives if you wish. So being able to experience many of my favorite songs live, for the first time ever... not on a scratched up tour DVD or YouTube clips... meant a lot.
In a way... His 'DO YOU REMEMBER' tour really brought heaps of closure to this musical journey on top of creating new footprints in the sand towards the an uncertain post-pandemic future. We're living in a new world now and being able to experience something so pure & familiar really warmed this aging heart. Tickling on memories long forgotten in the span of 2 hours. Felt that feeling in the room throughout the evening.
Cause Darren Hayes played 90% of my favorite songs from his iconic Savage Garden discography to reinventing 'Spin' / 'The Tension & The Spark' / 'This Delicate Thing We've Made' hallmarks like "Popular", "Insatiable", "Dublin Sky", & "Casey" during the set which also featured the standouts from his recent 2022 comeback project, 'Homosexual'. Which I really didn't spend a lot of time with last year. So hearing those upbeat, slaying, anthems in a room where a lot of fans were dancing their asses off brought a new spin on those songs.
The show had a Broadway, one man show-like, structure where Darren Hayes broke down the stories behind almost all of the songs he shared (especially for the first hour)... weaving a complex back story that turned into these chilling cuts on wax. Still filled in a lot of gaps even though I already knew most of Darren's complicated back story. I could've written my college thesis on 'This Delicate Thing We've Made' honestly.
It's nice to bring clarity to all those folks who just wanted to listen to the Savage Garden hits. Helps connects us as humans, ya know? I really showed up for the classics so receiving deep cuts like "Casey" & "Dublin Sky" made me jump out of my seat. Those iconic moments on the set list really hit me hard. Especially by the end when 'The Best Thing' happened during the encore.
More than worth the price of admission for this probably be the only time I had a chance to go support an artist who meant the world to the youthful version of me. The Wiltern, despite it's too cramped old balcony seats, remains timeless post-pandemic. Just walking into those halls after almost 5 years away awoken that only concertholic in me. Allowing me a quick journey to the past cause I parked in the same parking structure, walked around the corner past that iconic Denny's restaurant, taking the picture above on the streets of Wilshire Blvd., and entering the 90-year-old concert hall that will live probably longer than I ever will.
Can't help but consider everything a blessing. A constant reminder of how I lived once upon a time. It was nice to feel that again. Truly.
Thank you to The Wiltern, opening act Milahroy - who really began the night on a high note with their strong vocals & heartfelt tunes - Darren Hayes, his merry band, and everyone who spent time reading these words.
Sorry for typos!
Photo Highlights
(Captured using my jank 8mb Android Phone...everything is mid at best. lol)
