Are we ready for another review by me?
Grab a coffee and all that
It's crazy that my day really only started at 1pm. By midnight last night I felt like I'd been doing stuff ALL DAY but I only got dropped off at the train station at 1pm and was in Sydney by 2pm.
I called Braffy (who at the last minute decided to come!
) and found out where she was, so we met up and waited for others to arrive. Dede was running late, Crazy would be there soon, Morgaine was on her way.. I did actually call Shimmery's phone but it went straight to voice mail so I didn't try again. Braffy and I decided to grab some lunch so as we were munching away at it, Braffy spots a familiar face holding a cute little girl in her arms. No it wasn't Eileen holding a new born girl
- it was of course our dear Crazy! She was on her way to the front of the stage where Shims and co. were apparently sitting. It seems Crazy got a hold of Shimmery, unlike myself
So Braffy and I finished up and headed to the stage area. Sure enough there's a bunch of Damienites sitting on the floor looking very comfy in each other's company. Shims' BF was there too which was great because he's good value! (
to the BF, Shims!). There was only about half an hour left until Damien was due to come on and in that time more people arrived (Dede, CarlaM.. shit now I can't remember who was there already when we sat down.
Ah well, we were all there by the time The Big D started
)
So it was time for one Mr Damien Leith to enter the stage. The knob of a presenter was just being all knob-like, but he soon nicked off and the crowd finally got to hear the wonderful voice of Damien.. singing NOML. *yawn*. Hey I love the song but I hate that he has to do it at every appearance. I'm sure he does, too! Ah well, it was soon over and more songs were sung - all of which have been mentioned in other reports as well. I'm not a huge Damien Rice fan (uh, actually I'm not a fan at all really
) so hearing the full version of The Blowers Daughter wasn't OMFG!! to me, but Damien Leith was singing, so I enjoyed it anyway
I can't remember at what point Damien got stopped to have a little chat with Knob Presenter, but it was right at that time that a lady next to me asked for help with her phone video camera. "It was working before but it's not now.."
(Lady, if you're reading this, I'm sure you're lovely and everything but it's just not cool to interrupt when Teh Damien is talking, ok?). So I missed the first few things they talked about, but I DID catch the bit about Damien blushing while he was writing the naughty bits of his novel.
That bloke is just too funny. It's why we all love him though, right? Mr Adorkable
Oh wait, I forgot to mention those two crazy fans down the front! *goes back a bit* Right before Damien came on and the crowd were all squishing closer to the front of the stage, there were these two blokes in all green, RIGHT up the front. They were screaming things out and just going crazy. Morgaine and I (and Dede to an extent, I think) were looking at each other laughing every time they yelled something out. We were like *these boys are wiggy crazy, yo* - well that's what
I was thinking, anyway
I decided to get a picture of Damien's two new biggest fans so here it is. Unfortunately they turned around right after I took the pic and I wasn't quick enough to catch it.
Don't worry though ladies, you aren't missing out on much
And now back to the DAMIEN part, here's the pictures I got of him on stage. I took a lot more but the rest either came out blurry or were just repetitious of what I'm posting here.
(stoopid lights in the background! *grr*)After Damien finished up, the crowd went VOOM! Gone! Well there were still the diehard Irish fans around who decided to set up a picnic in front of the stage again, but 80% of the crowd were clearly there to see Damien, so a lot of people left to do other things straight away.
It was pretty close to 4pm at this point and Dede, Braffy and I were due to be at Mark's gig at that time, so after standing around for a while and me taking these pics of Monkey!Damien...
.. the three of us said our goodbyes to our fellow Damienites and took off to see Mark Wilkinson.
************** THOSE INTERESTED IN ONLY DAMIEN CAN STOP READING NOW **************
Ok. This is where the day got REALLY interesting for me. I'm cringing just thinking about it, but hopefully my embarrassment brings joy to others therefore making my story of Mark worth the read.
So Dede, Braffy and I head for The Brighton where Mark was playing. Dede reminded us again of what Mark said about the place and how it's really small, etc, and I'm like "yeah that's fine.." and then we were in front of the building and I almost died. Not only could we hear him from across the street.. WE COULD ALSO
SEE HIM.
I suddenly said "NO WAY. He's right
there!" The girls of course laughed at me
I mean don't get me wrong guys - I was really keen to see Mark and now was as good as ever - but I was nervous for him more than myself. The poor bugger has had my name thrown at him by a heap of Damienites lately (which I don't hate, but it's true - there was no hiding my admiration for him
), so having me walk RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM while he was playing was no doubt going to be a bit... awkward
So after the initial "omg I'm not going in" moment, I decided I could beat this by entering through the side door.
WRONG.
There was really no escaping it. If we wanted to get into the building we were gonna have to walk straight past the bloke. So I bit the bullet and walked through, avoiding eye contact so I didn't freak him out. I mean he would have known straight away who I was. He'd met Braffy and Dede before and he'd been told I was going that day so there was no hiding
Ok so I was through the door. All good. Then we looked around and I almost died of horror. There was enough room for like, 8 tables. IF THAT. Mark had a 3 hour set to do and there was nowhere for me to hide
I needed to use the bathroom so I quickly
hid went in there while Dede ordered drinks. I'd asked for a red Vodka Cruiser before using the bathroom so it was waiting for me when I got out. Dede and Braffy had very kindly chosen the only table that was hidden behind a pillar, but no sooner had we sat down did they decide "no we have to move. We can't see him" DUH! THAT'S OK GIRLS, REALLY!
Keep in mind everyone that the place really was very tiny and oh yeah, did I mention we were patrons 3, 4 and 5 to arrive?
So I wasn't being all school girlish about this (only in my mind. lol) - I was really just worried about making Mark uncomfortable...
... Not that Dede or Braffy gave two hoots, mind you!
Where did they decide to sit? I'll show you.
************** TIME TO GET UP AND STRETCH THOSE LEGS MY DEAR READER **************
Ok stand in one spot. Now take a normal step as if you're about to start walking but stop at just one step. Ok are you there? THAT'S HOW CLOSE WE WERE TO MARK PERFORMING. I MEAN SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, CHRIST ON A CRACKER!
************** you may sit down now **************
Allllllllllrighty. So ok ok, this is where we were setting up camp. I could deal. But then guess what? You'll never guess BECAUSE IT IS JUST TOO UNIMAGINABLE so I will just tell you. Remember that lovely red drink I asked Dede to get me earlier? ...
...
I spilt it on myself.
I had a white shirt on with a white and green stripped top underneath - but at this point I had on a pink shirt with a pink and green top underneath.
And before you ask, you silly goose, OF COURSE MARK SAW IT. HE WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.
Surprisingly however, I simply said "Oh SHIT", picked my drink up and gave Mark a "Woops!" look.
What else could I do? Cry? I don't think so
The girls suggest I go and wash what I could so I did that (therefore wetting my shirt even more!) and then I just came back out to the table and kept drinking.
LUCKILY my Dad had a spare set of clothes in his car for me so I got him to drop them off for when I went to see Alex Lloyd later that night. I could have changed straight away, but I actually preferred sitting there in a red stained shirt than having my boobs poking out of the black top I had in the car (the one I wore to Swoon City). Mark didn't need to see that
SO ANYWAY. On with the music
Mark sounded wonderful. I really enjoyed just sitting and listening to him sing both songs I knew and songs I'd obviously never heard before. Braffy absolutely cracked Dede and I up though because she had to be out of there by 5.30pm to catch her train, so as Mark just finished a song she goes "Have you done the bore song yet?" he said no so she goes "Well go on. Do it now. I have to leave soon"
What's even funnier is Mark obliged!!! So. Sweet. And can I just say that song rocks? It's up there in my favourites.
Mark took his first 10 minute break and came to talk to us, which was nice because he totally could have hidden in the bathroom if he wanted. LOL I'm sure he was a bit nervous but hey, I'd spilt drink on myself so hopefully that helped break the ice a bit
Just before he was ready to go back on, Braffy declared I had to get my photo with Mark - to which I quickly said "No it's ok. Later will be fine" - haha thanks Braffy but I just wanted Mark to sing and be as comfortable as he could with us girls sitting practically in his lap
I had every intention of getting one later ;D
The afternoon rolled on and Mark sang. It was really good talking to the girls, and soon Braffy had to go so it was just Dede and I. We talked some more until suddenly these two people walk in and sit at the table right next to us. Dede and I gave each other a look when we saw Mark acknowledge them, and when his second break came about and he went and sat with them, our suspicions were confirmed. His parents had come to watch him! 1,2,3... AWWWWWWWWWW!!!! I'll let Dede tell her little story about meeting his Mum in the bathroom
After a few moments we all ended up having a little chat together. Mark's parents are just SO nice. His Mum is really lovely and obviously very proud of her son
His Dad too, but he sat back a little bit and let us girls do the talking
(Mark looks like his Dad, by the way). Turns out they were there to take him home because his girlfriend was making them all dinner. Again, 1,2,3... AWWWWWWWW!!!! ;D
Mark's parents mentioned how incredibly nice it was of Damien to ask Mark to tour with him, which Dede and I sat there and agreed whole heartedly with. We were all in agreeance that Damien is just a great bloke ;D (And sucked in to those who stopped reading at the Damien part of my epic review. *blows raspberries*). I also asked Mark if he'd mind me starting up a forum for him, to which he said "no problem", but I'm actually gonna hold off a bit. I reminded him again as I was leaving that we'd be starting it up but I'm not sure if I embarrassed him or not, so I'll just leave it until I get a few more requests for it.
After our chat with Mark and his parents, he picked his guitar up again and sang Baptism by Fire, which I'd asked about because it's my favourite song
And from there Mark sang another 45 minute set and the afternoon finally came to an end.
(Somewhere in there Dede had a call with a friend - LuLu on the forum - and she could hear Mark in the background so she decided to get out of her PJs to come see him.
LuLu!)
Mark's Dad helped him pack up when he was done, and just as they were about to leave I said to Mark, "I know your parents are here and this is a bit embarrassing, but there's a few people on the forum who will kill me if I don't get my photo with you.. do you mind?"
He of course said that'd be fine, but who knows what the poor bugger was really thinking.
His Mum was gonna take it for us! But Dede didn't want to be in the photo so she took it.
Now, I've had my picture posted in the forum before so I'm not hiding my face here or anything - it's just that I *really* hate the picture of me next to Mark so I've cut myself out. TOTALLY defeats the purpose of getting a picture with Mark to show you all but seriously, I don't want to post it. I hope to see Mark at a few more gigs over time so maybe I'll get a nicer one then. For now though here's just Mark from the pic of him and I. He's so fricken cute!
I don't think he can take an ugly photo
And that is the end of the Mark story. Obviously a lot longer than the Damien one, but we WERE with Mark for almost 3 hours compared to Damien's 10 minutes so it's to be expected I guess
(Oh oh before I forget - Mark asked where we'd been throughout the day and we told him we went to see Damien. Then I said "Today Damien was YOUR support act"
I think he liked that
)
************** takes a small break **************
And to think Dede suggested I do a quick report when we got back to her place after seeing Mark
I won't actually go on about Alex's gig thang because by the time we saw him I was stuffed. I did get to meet Dede's two brothers, one of their girlfriends, and Morgaine's husband - all of whom were very nice and lovely to meet! I sat and spoke real estate with the girlfriend (at least I tried too. LOL) and at the end of the night I chatted to Morgaine and her husband outside while they very kindly waited with me until my Dad arrived. I was fine with being by myself but the company was great guys so thank you
Alex did have some weird group on as a support act who were Canadian and seemed like they'd been puffin' the whacky tobacky all afternoon, and they brought some good humour to the night (enough to make Dede and I SMS each other across the table to discuss the insanity of it all) - but that's as about exciting as the night got as far as entertainment went.
Alex was good but yeah, I was tired and as I think Morgaine has mentioned, the music totally killed all the vocals so it was a bit too much for me.
It was about 1.30am by the time Dad and I got home so I had a quick look online and then fell in to bed. I don't actually remember going to sleep come to think of it! LOL
Overall I had a really great day - It sure beat the heck out of staying in my PJs all day at home while getting nothing done! HAHA!
to all my Damienites.
, but I, amongst others, really want to hear TBD, so anything you can splice together will be gratefully recieved! 
but I was loving it ;D
Grab a coffee and all that 
I suddenly said "NO WAY. He's right there!" The girls of course laughed at me 
I mean don't get me wrong guys - I was really keen to see Mark and now was as good as ever - but I was nervous for him more than myself. The poor bugger has had my name thrown at him by a heap of Damienites lately (which I don't hate, but it's true - there was no hiding my admiration for him 