19th June The Basement Sydney NSW

[shimmery]

Ah so glad you were there Nuffy we had the best time!

No "Never Meant to Fail" tonight, I forgot to say, seeing the set-list reminded me. But there was AIWIY as said, and it was great - I noticed tonight how all the arrangements were really perfected too but with that room to move to add the spontenaity. The skill of what Damien and the guys were doing is amazing. I agree, I think "Beautiful" tonight was even better than last night, Damien also seemed to be playing the piano arrangement slightly differently and we were all saying that this surely must be the definitive version now, it really sounds so perfect. How exciting was it too that such an amazing rendition of a Damien original will be on the film.

Am really crashing now - total nirvana eclipse - See you back here tomorrow

[Nuffy]

pretty lights that weren't used last night. 5(?) cameras used. Can't wait for the dvd...

I'll have to continue tomorrow... really need my zzzzz's


edit: Oops, sorry! not supposed to post pics here... but what the heck! the others are in the Photo Gallery

[princess1]

Thanks for reporting ladies, sounds like a perfect night, I'm so glad Damien got through it and that you all enjoyed yourselves so much (as if you wouldn't).
I can't wait to see this show on the telly, (will it be a dvd?)

[kel]

lovely reports ... thanks ladies

[christyl]

YAY!!!!! GO DAMO!!!!!!!!!!!



CAN"T WAIT for the DVD....*to be able to see D live again and again...*

Thank you for the fabulous reports, ladies!

[Womby]

OMG what an awesome night - and I wasn't even supposed to be there Thank you so much to Shims for the late invite (so sorry your friends couldn't make it ). When I first got the message at 5 o'clock I replied saying I would love to go but had no way of getting there Then I walked in the door at home and my DH told me he didn't have to go into work last night and I said "omg I just got a message to say one of the girls has a spare ticket for the Basement " He told me to get on the phone and say I would take it. I crossed my fingers and hoped that it was still available and when Shims said yes I and and some more. A quick dinner and shower and I was out the door by 7 o'clock All went smoothly until my GPS lost the signal in the middle of the city After doing a few rounds of the block, not knowing exactly where I was I spotted a parking station and drove in. Luckily, I met a couple who had been circling the block in front of me and were on their way to the Basement too. I was surprised to find that I had picked the right carpark and that it was less than a 5 minute walk to the venue We met DC at the door and I asked him how Damien's voice was. He seemed very worried and said he had been keeping up the honey and lemon but that the weather wasn't helping. He then told us to make sure we made plenty of noise for the cameras and I assured him this wouldn't be a problem . Once inside I soon found Shims. b/f and Nuffy. Shin=ms had even saved me a seat I couldn't believe how close we were to the stage, and raised up so we had a perfect view ;D Also caught up with Braffy, Carla and Dawn and Braffy's sis And then it wasn't long before the show began............

IT WAS AWESOME I don't think I've ever seen Damien in such fine form - you would never have known that he wasn't well Everything went so smoothly, the banter, the dancing, the guitars, the piano, the violin.............AND THE SINGING It was magic and the audience loved it One man in front of me stood up after nearly every song There was plenty of applause, woo hooing, squeeing, whistling - it was an amazing atmosphere. It all seems like a dream today - I still can't believe I was there. The whole show was brilliant but my absolute faves were Guitar Man , BILYW on piano (exquisite ) and Wicked Game with the electric violin and Irish Dancing - AWESOME My hands were so sore at the end of the night from clapping - I think I even built up some muscles in my arms we were getting into it so much Wow what a night!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nuffy and I waited as long as we could afterwards to see if Damien would come out and say hi but in the end we had to go (midnight curfew at the carpark ) We didn't really expect that he would since he has to be on a plane to QLD today - DC was very keen to get him home to bed ASAP. I do hope that he recovers ok for you girls up north - he really was on fire last night but I hope it didn't take too much out of him. Take care Damien
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU again Shims for offering me the opportunity to be there last night - I'm just soooooo glad I was able to be there ;D ;D ;D I'll never forget it

[kel]

wow, womby ;D

[erinbella]

Thank-you ladies for the wonderful reports.

Womby I am so happy for you. ;D

[tarapanda]

WOWO I was in teh coma just reading this logged in 3 times and forgot what I was doing.
What a show and song list. DVD ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Damien the weather on Coast is sunny and 22. on Sunday. Take care and rest your voice while flying up to sunny Q'ld.
2 more sleeps til sets in so and and SOL coming our way. YEEEEHAAA

GREAT REPORT THANKS EVER SO MUCH LADIES

[CarlaM]

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!





THE MOST BRILLIANT SHOW!!!





Please excuse my report in advance, as the Sydney girls will tell you, I am running on very little sleep. Had 2 wonderful nights in Sydney and VERY little sleep and I am fading fast.

THIS SHOW WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

I wont lie, I was soooooooooooo worried about poor Damien as the night before he was so sick, even his speaking voice was croaky and although he sounded beautiful, you could tell he was struggling and clearly unwell. He was still incredible but we all felt so bad for him.

So...knowing this show was being filmed and Damien was still unwell, I was so nervous for him.

BUT......
From the MINUTE he walked onto the stage...HE ABSOLUTELY OWNED IT!
The moment he opened his mouth, and the crowd's reception to him, you could tell it was going to be a fantastic night.

As shims said, the setlist was the same although no Never Meant to Fail, but we did get All I want is You and the crowd LOVED it!

Damien was wearing black tshirt, black jeans, black cons and black leather jacket which came on and off during the night.
He looked amazing! Didn't look sick in the slightest!

I had the BEST TIME, I was so tired and not sure how I would last but about 10 minutes before he came out, the adrenalin (and red wine) kicked in and I was rather energetic during the entire show. Apparently Womby has the evidence on her camera!
(Oh great...another embarrassing Carla moment...how unusual! )

Damien was sooooooooooooo funny. It's cute how the jokes are similar each night but he throws little different things in. I always find myself giggling like a school girl, especially if Damien loses it and starts to giggle too!

Because we knew this was being filmed, we didn't want to anything to embarrass Damien or go over the top but Braffy did hand him a lovely rose during the show! And Damien seemed really grateful
We did CHEER AND SQUEE AND CLAP and SWAY and WOOOHOOO very very very loudly. The great thing was, the entire crowd did.

When Damien did his usual stripping off of his jacket, (excuse my memory) but he said something along the lines of "yeah yeah, I know, take it off" and looked right at ME, and smiled! WHAT THE? Anyone would think I was a tart or something! I didn't even say a word!!! Hmmmm, maybe the look on my face said enough!

Wicked Game was just STUNNING as always! It is always a crowd favourite and those NOTES! HOLY COW!
GOBSMACKING!!!!
Wild World was fantastic, always such a great sing a long and really gets the crowd into it. Apparently this is where Womby has me bopping along like a complete moron!
I was honestly having a BALL, I didn't care about the cameras...I didn't even notice them there (hmm..maybe now I do believe it when they say that on Big Brother).

This really was the BEST I have seen Damien. I said it on the night and I will say it again...

HE WAS ON FIRE!!!

Thank you to Damien for coming over to myself and Dawn and Braffy when he was leaving. It was clear that Damien needed to go home and get as much rest before his 3 nights in Brisbane so again, no signing afterwards but seriously, after such an incredibly amazing show, no one cared.
Dawn and I actually wandered the city during the day and got Damien a care package with vitamins, Vicks Vapor rub, lozengers, honey and other things so we hope it comes in handy. He came over to thank us and we had a little chat before he had to go. He was so so lovely as always, as was Eils, who is always so sweet and gorgeous!

I know there will a lot of things I will remember as the day goes on but the great thing is, you will ALL get to see this one in September!

I must say a MASSIVE thank you to Dawn for absolutely everything you have done for me. Thank you for letting me stay with you and thank you for all the kindness you always show. You are a gem and a sweetheart!
It was soooooo fantastic to hang out with Shims and Shims BF and Braffy, and Nuffy and Womby and of course Morgs and Mr Nuffy the night before too.
Such wonderful people and such brilliant company!
Love you guys!!!

and......Damien....

YOU ROCK MY WORLD!!!

[kazzababe]

Carla you're making me want to cry sounds like you all had a great time I can feel the love from you all I so hope one day I get to go with a whole lot of from here.
I so can't wait till September to see this show do you know how long that is to wait .
Go Damien you truly are the greatest talent this country has.

Kazza

[Mi chiamano Kami]

Aww, I'm so glad the show went off brilliantly. Like a lot of the rest of you I was nervous for him because this show was being filmed and he hasn't been well. But I can see from the mad squeeing response that it was a wonderful show. Thanks so much for the reports everyone!

[shimmery]

oh Womby and Carla wasn't it just the best!!!!!

I CANNOT STOP SMILING - it was so great, being there with you all was so great, Damien was beyond belief

Seeing Damien absolutely BEAMING and GLOWING - what else can you do but smile!!! I was trying to think what best describes last night and I think JOYOUS is the word!!!

Esp after all the worry, all of us were so concerned about his voice but you would never in a million years have known how sick he had been, the vocals were perfection! And like Womby says - the ENERGY!!!!

Wicked Game - OMG how good is it???! And the dancing in the middle - and WILD WORLD!!!! Ahhhhhh we just loved it - and I do believe that's when Carla was being 'entertaining' - just like the old Swoon City days, eh??! Womby and I just about died, OMG


"Vincent" has to have a mention too - honestly, it went from hysteria with the stories and Celebration and purposely crazy dancing to sublime stunning brilliance. I don't know what I can say - Damien is a totally unique performer, just so special

[shimmery]

oh regards the questions about the DVD - I am totally guessing but I hope it may be a Live at the Basement special, they air on the ABC as a feature show and also are often released on DVD as part of the Live at the Basement series. I have no idea if this is also what Damien is planning, it's just what I have seen in the past with similar shows. Hopefully this is being planned as a DVD release though!!!

[CarlaM]

At least I didn't get out of my chair to dance this time
Just popped along and sang along from my comfy seat


I seriously cannot help it....especially during Wild World, it gets me going everytime!

You have me worried now Shims...hehehe...you and Womby up there giggling...how bad was I??? (insert biting fingernails smiley here)


I love how on both nights, when Damien tells the story about getting the lyrics of Vincent wrong "flaming floors" instead of "flowers", once he gets to the line, he puts this massive emphasis on FLOWERS and we gave the hugest cheer and he smiles and gets distracted!