19th July Dee Why RSL Sydney NSW

[12ktina]

Heard from Braffy about 15 minutes ago....

She said: Show just finished, 11.05 bloody brilliant. Crowd into it. I am sure Damien is happy. Eileen is here. She will talk to us later she told Carla at interval


Sounds like another successful night!!


Sorry, she didn't text me the setlist!!

[Roxy]

Woohoo sounds like a great night happening then, thanks for the update Tina (and Braffy) ;D

Good to see Eils able to get to a show too

[Trilly]

Woohooo! ;D

bwah! that would have been one LONG sms, Tina!

Hurry home, s!

[Mysterri]

Thanks for the update Tina.

*Paces and waits*

[starsuz]

Jul 20, 2008 1:00:58 GMT 10 Mysterri said:

Thanks for the update Tina.

*Paces and waits*

ditto

[shimmery]

Hi everyone

Just back from our Dee Why Hut, was a great night! I am totally exhausted so this will just be short and sweet then I'll be back later to write a proper report but we had a lovely night, was so great seeing you all the last 2 days

Funtarstic show, really lovely venue. Damien's voice magic as ever Tonight we were treated to Fisherman's Blues, and also Nessun Dorma unaccompanied (absolutely stunning - voice like warm velvet , whatever that is like, lol, but that's how I feel when I hear him sing those high notes, the warmth and softness he gives those high notes is magical and quite unique, so many others never achieve that with that song) and Danny Boy (spellbinding) included in the encore again.

Beautiful set list all round (Dawn and Braffy have it covered), tonight with the changes of having Father and Son and Vincent back again too. It's nice to hear NoML back in the list too, like the return of an old friend - every time I hear that song it takes me back to the early days here when everyone was meeting for the first time and Damien had just won, a lovely time. Lots of fun & laughs too & Damien seemed to really enjoy the show

So nice to see Eils tonight, we saw her at interval and after as we were leaving the hall and had a little chat, was lovely.

I'm sure everyone will be back and forth the next day or so as they arrive back, and I will add more then too, but it was a really good night out and so happy to see you all

Another magic moment for me, during Damien singing unaccompanied Nessun Dorma, Carla and I were so moved we grabbed each other's hands and held on to each other, just stunned and feeling so lucky to be able see him sing.

Many magic moments tonight, we'll all have some great memories to talk about, was a really nice show.

[Mysterri]

Ah Shims, it sounds like another brilliant night. I know what you mean about a voice like warm velvet. Damien's voice just seems to envelop you with a warmth that is indescribable. Am I on the right track? ;D And I can totally relate to reaching out and grabbing Carla's hand during Nessun Dorma, it is just a normal reaction. I know DH and I nuzzled closer to each other during the concert on Thursday night (when I wasn't crawling around on the floor like an idiot!)

It's always wonderful to read the first reports from a concert. There is just so much happiness and euphoria in every word. Thanks for sharing and sweet dreams.

[thebraff (Braffy)]

I am totally bu*****d exhausted and tired but I will give you the set list.

First off though I must say that when Damien walked out, picked up his guitar, the first person he saw was MaggieMay. The big smile and look of recognition that went across his face was gorgeous.

WARDROBE REPORT
Black jeans with wallet in the back pocket
grey t shirt
soft grey jacket
black and white connies.

SET LIST]
Jimmy was alone onstage doing the intro.
Damien walked on (saw Maggie May) and then........
Cold Cold Heart
Catch The Wind
Told the story of how he hated music as a young (handsome) boy. In fact, extremely hamdsome, shy guy, - ruggedly handsome and then went into
Annie's Song
Told the story of how today they bought a dog. It is a Moodle (Maltese Poodle) called Billy. Damien and Eileen have been playing with it all day and the boys have been told 'to go and play in your rooms'
Guitar Man / Ladder to Heaven (the lyrics were changed to the shops being shut etc )
Indi had been complaining that she wasn't getting to do a solo so........
Fisherman's Blues featuring Indi doing a solo
IfThe jacket came off. *whistles* He told the story of how last night he kept being asked to take his pants off.
told the story of the girl at primary school and unrequited love
22 Steps with Jimmy's solo
Touched on Celebration. Did the pogo jumps and spoke of that night on Idol
Everybody's Talking with required audience Waa waaa waaaa waaa waaaa's toot Toot

INTERVAL

Whenhe came back on stage there was this ginormous spider. Hopefully when people with digital cameras get home from their travels tomorrow the photos will be posted.
There was a note that went with the spider. YOU HAVE CAUGHT US IN YOUR WEB. DLO
He then spoke of requests and people yelled out all sorts of things.
Nessun Dorma a capella (very brave). There was no guitar or any form of accompianment (sp). He received a huge ovation for it.
Crying (with guitar)
Father and Son with a singalong
Hallelujah with 'Sleepwalker' solo by Jimmy
He spoke again about Idol and the stress of 2 mortgages and not knowing what would happen after Idol finished etc
Beautiful
Told the story of how he mucked up the words to Vincent on the recording, and to listen out for the 2nd verse. He then started to sing
American Pie
Vincent
Wild World with a singalong and Jimmy doing a solo
Dawn handed Damien a gift bag. In it was a feather boa (bright orange) for Indi and a pair of boodgie smugglers for Damien
All I Want is You with singalong
Night Of My Life with singalong

ENCORE
Danny Boy
Wicked Game with the mandatory audience participation reaching for the high notes.

All in all it was a great concert. The crowd really got involved and I think they all left happy.

The show started late. It was due to start at 8.30 and it was closer to 8.45 when it got underway. Interval seemed to be a bit longer than at other venues (Might have been my imagination or the fact that I wanted him back onstage so I could keep listening to him). I didn't check my watch for the time the 2nd half started but the show didn't finish until 11.05 pm.

You couldn't buy a cup of coffee or tea in the club afterwards. I don't know why the coffee shop shut so early.

I am too tired to write anymore now. I wil try and think of othr things to write about, but I should leave something for the weary travellers.
It was so lovely to meet up with Princey again and for her to be well this time.
Thank you everyone for a fabulous time over this last while

[belinda]

Shims and Braffy thank you so much for these great reports. It sounds like another very special show. Nessun Dorma sounds like it was so touching - he is brilliant doing it capella. Way to go Damo!!!
It was nice that you got to see Eils and have a little chat to her.
I love the set list.
I bet MaggieMay enjoyed that moment of recognition.
Tell me ........... what did Damien think of his budgie smugglers LOL!

Thanks again for posting these reports and Braffy I hope you get to catch up on your sleep today.

[Smiley]

Ahh...sounds wonderful Did Damien sing all of American Pie or just a bit like last time? Yay Maggie got noticed, did anyone get to see D after the show?


Fantastic songlist...and sounds like the crowd were into it.

Spider? More info...please ? (*am very frightened of spiders.. )

[12ktina]

Thanks for the early reports Shims and Braffy! Damien is obviously all well again - including Nessun Dorma for so many nights in a row! Warm velvet sounds just lovely!!

Way to Go = Maggie May, how lovely for you to get a special smile!!

And a little Moodle (never heard them described like that before), how gorgeous!!! I'm sure the family will love that little fella, particularly when the kids are let out of their rooms again!!

[morgaine]

Thanks for the most efficient/detailed report braffy :)you're obviously an expert at it by now ! lol! Shims -yours was gorgeous (nice and gushy!! )

Lots of different material that would have been nice to hear...oh well...'twas not meant to be...

[maggiemay]

Nessun Dorma was brilliant and they turn the spotlight onto Damien and a hush fell over the room - just magically

LOL I think that special smile might have been for the table next to us (at least that was what I thought ;D)

Both Jimmy and Indie were in fine form last night ;D

The verse of American Pie was great. ;D

to the lovely Nuffy for being my chauffeur

[CarlaM]

Smiley, Princey, Di and myself were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and got a quick chat and kiss and cuddle from Damien. There was not even enough time to call the others, he was on his way to the car.
So we were very very lucky! Thanks Damien!

Will write more of a report soon. It was a fantastic night and so so lovely to see everyone again and to spend time with Princey and Di!

And Shims, you are right, Nessum Dorma was just too beautiful for words, as you saw by the tears rolling down my face and thank you for being there and sharing that with me!

And Damien, you are just so amazing!

Jul 20, 2008 9:30:25 GMT 10 Smiley said:

Ahh...sounds wonderful Did Damien sing all of American Pie or just a bit like last time? Yay Maggie got noticed, did anyone get to see D after the show?


Fantastic songlist...and sounds like the crowd were into it.

Spider? More info...please ? (*am very frightened of spiders.. )

[thebraff (Braffy)]

MaggieMay, from where I was sitting, the look was aimed at you. Until Damien comes into this thread and personally says that it wasn't then accept that you are teh one to receive the big broad smile and the nod of the head. ;D

Di had gone outside to have a ciggie and Princey and Carla were with her. From what I gathered Damien and co walked out to their car. It was a chance encounter. We since learnt that when the trio found the rest of us (upstairs not being able to get a coffee ) we were sitting near a window that looks right down to the area where they had been. We could have watched it all unfold. Oh well! Lack of local knowledge.
Damien is certainly singing extremely well. I am always taken by how well live he is. So many artists cannot repeat the sound that they have on their recordings (too manufactured), but with Damien you know you are always going to hear quality. I often prefer his 'stage versions' of songs more than the recorded ones.
'Beautiful' and '22 Steps' are just two examples.
I love all the singalongs. You need a good crowd for them to work though, and last night at Dee Why Damien was shocked and pleasantly surprised by the quality of the audience singing. At one stage he thought the 'Dee Why Choir' was there. They may have been for all I know, it certainly was one of the best audience singalongs from the concerts that I have been to.
It was nice to have Vincent back on the setlist. Damien sings it so well, even with his floors/flowers
I would have loved to have heard 'Shine Like The Sun' last night. It is Lifeline's 'Stress Down Day' next Friday and SLTS is the theme song for it. Besides that, I love the song. There are 3 albums that I would have loved to have heard all the songs from, plus all the tid bits from other songs that he does/has done at the various concerts.

Smiley, it was just a bit of American Pie.
It was funny when he completely changed the GuitarMan/Stairway to Heaven song. Stairway to Heaven was put aside and Ladder to Heaven took it's place with lyrics about the shops being shut etc.

I was soooo tired when I posted last night. I went into the Hut to say goodnight or something, I can't remember now and fell asleep at the keyboard.
I will come back when I think of more. I am still zonked after 2 great nights with some of my mates here from DLO and seeing/hearing Damien

There will be photos of the spider in photo gallery I would imagine. (I have photos on my dinosaur camera but others took digital ones)

WARNING It is a BIG spider.