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MUSIC - Savage solos with Darren Hayes
(The Northern Echo Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Ex-Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes opens his UK tour in Newcastle. VIV HARDWICK reports
A BIG Night In with Darren Hayes' boasts the publicity for the April appearance of the Savage Garden lead singer at Newcastle's City Hall. Hayes started out his pop career with Daniel Jones in Brisbane, Australia, in 1996, when I Want You and To the Moon & Back became back-to-back number one hits.
From 1997, the group achieved success in the US and European markets and went on to sell 23 million records.
To celebrate ten years as a recording artist and celebrate last year's release of Truly Madly Completely - The Best of Savage Garden, Hayes opens his UK tour in Tyneside, performing songs from his Savage Garden and solo careers.
Don't expect to just sit back and be entertained. You may end up on stage with him. The show, designed and directed by long-time collaborator and U2 staple Willie Williams, promises to blow the lid off the conventional pop show as Hayes turns on the charm, wit and honesty. And he's inviting you into his living room to demonstrate. He's determined to have a creative cleaning out of the closet, if you will, live and on tour, before finishing work on his next record.
He says: "As a fan of bands who've split up, like Eurythmics, or the countless incarnations of Fleetwood Mac, I understand the desire to hear songs you know, solo or otherwise. And as an audience member, there's nothing worse than going along to see someone you adore and they play the obscure Japanese only b-sides.
"At this point in my career, I'm at the half way point. I want the next half to be better than the first. That's a huge challenge to set myself. But it's important for me to look back and say thanks and goodbye to this period of my music so that I can apply that to my future. I'm asking myself questions like, 'What worked? What didn't? What do I want to explore further? What song do I never want to hear again?'" With his experience from designing U2's intelligent shows, as well as the pop sensibilities of stage theatre gained from West End show We Will Rock You, Williams promises a show that is truly interactive. Fans should turn up and be prepared to be singled out.
Hayes says: "I connect with people.
I'm good at that. These days I realise that's something that really sets me apart. You can fake an awful lot in show business. But you can't fake connection, live in a room, under a microscope.
"I thought about having a dress code on the ticket because if I pick on you, I'm going to involve you in my show. . .
and if I have to stand next to you under some very expensive lighting, I want us to look good."
Darren Hayes, Newcastle City Hall, Friday, April 21, tickets GBP23. Box Office: 0191-261 2606. 24-hr cc hotline:
0871 2200 260 www. gigsandtours. com
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