FAVOURITE DAMIEN RELATED MOMENT

[thebraff (Braffy)]

It has now been 3 1/2 years since Damien won Australian Idol and nearly 4 years since we first became aware of him.

Most of us, if not all of us have been fortunate to have seen Damien perform live.

What is your best memory from the last 4 years.

I can't narrow it down to only thing, so you can put 5 if you like.

My all time favourite would have to be the Listening Party that some of us were lucky enough to attend to hear the new album 'Remember June' for the first time. We did not know if Damien would be there or not but we were all excited to be hearing the album.
Damien WAS there and the absolute roar of appreciation/approval/awe when we first heard the words remember june during the first song was instantaneous from everyone and the look of relief/joy on Damien's and producer Stuart Crichton's faces was fantastic ;D
The whole album got our approval in a big way
Of course the mini highlight of the evening was a group of us were mistaken as the back up singers for Adam Harvey's new album that he was in the process of recording and we were herded toward the recording studio to 'do our bit'

Other highlights for me ~ receiving the first reply from Damien on Myspace.

The acknowledgement/recognition/nod of the head/cute smile at a concert that is directed at you.

A personal tweet to me on the morning of my mothers' funeral.

I can't leave out the comraderie that happens when the Damienites get together at a Damienfest/road trip/concerts Road trips are the BEST fun. I still remember the road trip from Dawn's (Newcastle region) to Sydney (Revesby Workers Club) 5 bodies (one larger than others : plus suitcases/bags in a little Toyota Corolla and a Navb**ch that wouldn't let us go where we wanted to go. Not forgetting that it is customary to GET LOST on a road trip.

I have others, but I will hand it over to you now to add your bits.
You can repeat things if you need to but I am sure there are lots to choose from.

[princess1]

Great idea Braffy, there are a few highlights for me also....
Of course the listening party would be one of the top ones, to actually be invited to listen to REMEMBER JUNE before it was released and to have Damien arrive also, it was a very emotional night for some but also something that I will treasure for my whole life.
I would also have to say meeting Damien for the very first time, he was just gorgeous, I was so nervous that morning, there were a lot of firsts that day, aside from meeting Damien, thats when I first met the other wonderful Melbourne Damienites.
Then there was a book signing at Chadstone, Damien made us feel so special and he gave me a special birthday kiss and hug for that day
Of course there are many more but this could go on for a very long time

[Glawz]

What a wonderful idea Braffy. No doubt you will understand that my special Damien moments have been a bit more condensed than yours, having been really involved for a relatively short time.
1. As I hadn't seen him on Idol, only read the newspaper articles written about his "touchdowns" I remember the first time I heard him sing live. It was on Gold 104.3 breakfast show and he sang "Catch the Wind" live, just accompanied by his guitar. I was absolutely blown away by the beautiful voice, could not believe how pure and angelic it was and have been forever smitten since then.
2. The first time I saw him at Wellers, during the CTW tour and his generosity after the show for signings and photos. I will always remember how lovely he was.
3. When I posted in MYspace about hearing Damien's music at the Tasmanian AGfest, and Braffy must have thought I had Damienite potential, as she posted back directing me to DLO. Joining the forum has been great and I do appreciate the new friendships formed, especially with the Melb. girls and how they have allowed me to assimilate into the group, even though I was a tad nervous at the beginning.... yes, nervous!
4. Every Damien show I have been to... just mind bogglingly absobloodylutely fantastic. He is just adorable.
5. Meeting him up close and personal recently at JB Hi Fi in Newcastle, and Lizottes where he did signings and actually remembered my name. That was a real thrill.

Sorry guys... just thought of #6!!
Thornbury Theatre - the first time I heard RJ songs live with the band. Just blown away ... even DH was rapt

[dmac]

There are soooo many but off the top of my head....everything and I do mean everything about the Listening Party was just amazing...from different people's reactions (including D and Stu) to how we all fell in love with RJ to the riotous error thinking we were the choir and the simply splendid company of all
The first time I met D at Star City (I'd seen him at Doylo, but would never have dared to go up to him) and we were all together and when I met him told him who I was and he said he knew who I was oh wow!!!was stunned

[Spud]

I'd definitely have to say everything about the Listening Party. One moment that stands out in particular was when we were all chatting afterwards and 'Sorry' was playing in the background, and D happened to be standing next to me and started singing along, pretty much right into my ear.

The State Theatre concert was also amazing. Seeing D perform with his full band for the first time in ages was awesome, especially because he sang ALL of the RJ songs. Seeing D before and afterwards and getting to meet his parents was great too. ;D

Ooh, and the first time I met D at Hyde Park! That was definitely one of my favourite moments. So exciting!

Oh, and the Lizotte's show I went to when we first heard a few songs from RJ. I hadn't seen D for over a year, and as soon as he stepped onto the stage I was blown away. And then when he sang TGTY, Sorry and Golden Line, I was like, "WOW!" Amazing.

And also, all of those moments when D has said, done or sung something and everyone has just gone SQUEEEEEEEE!

[erinbella]

Meeting Damien for the first time at Robina Town Centre in August 2007. He was so generous with his time and he even suggested that we get a group photo taken together which I thought was really nice.


Star City - so many s in the front rows. Damien was so close to us and what a fantastic concert. I'm pretty sure this concert may have started the lingerie/underwear throwing/handing onto the stage.


"Remember June" - unfortunately I was unable to attend the Listening Party and I know that I missed something very special but what an amazing experience putting the CD on and listening to "Golden Line" for the very first time, it absolutely blew me away.


The smile and wave from Damien when he sees you. ;D


The travelling to Sydney and Melbourne catching up with my Damienite friends and meeting new ones. The roadtrips with my fellow Brissy s. We have so much fun when we get together.


Of course Gympie is a definite highlight which I will remember always.

[morgaine]

Without a doubt hearing RJ live at the State & then at Mounties. D with the band in full Rock Star mode looking & sounding fantabulous!!

(Listening Party was also amazing...!!)

[CarlaM]

Awwww such a lovely idea and this thread is already bringing a tear to my eye!

I have so many amazing memories, it is so hard to narrow them down and some that are personal or close to your heart for different reasons I guess

I have to absolutely agree about the Listening session. In fact it was one of the best nights ever. We all felt so privledged and so close to each other that night. It was sad that some of the regulars could not make it though
It was such an emotional and fantastic night. One I will never ever forget

The Mothers Day cruise was a special one for me. That is one reason why I still leave the pic as my avatar photo. I probably have 10 pics with Damien but that is my fave because of the wonderful memory it evokes when I look at it.
What a perfect day to be on the harbour and have our man singing on a gorgeous boat and then get a chance to have a lovely hug and chat to him. Sigh...just so special.

So many of the concerts, there is too many to mention but yes the Star City shows were fantastic, and meeting everyone at different shows. The Damien get togethers in Brissy and Melbourne have been unforgettable and some of the best weekends ever!

I remember the first time I met Damien, I was only a lurker on here so I wasn't able to share the experience with anyone who would understand how I was feeling. I went up to Sydney on a 4.30am train with Stephanie and Holly to line up at Sunrise and meet D. We were lucky enough to be asked inside to see him perform. I remember feeling like a fan girl! hehehe. Then we lined up to meet him and I was so upset that I forgot my camera. Holly was just a baby so I was so worried I would forget some of her supplies that I forgot the camera.
I still remember Damien saying Hi across the table and getting a hug and then he spotted Holly...well, of course I totally got forgotten then... ...and Damien said "awww who do we have here?" So cute

I could go on and on all day...there are so many incredible memories from over the past 3 and a half years. Thank you to so many of you for being such a big part of these wonderful times and a massive thank you to Damien for bringing us all together.

Love you guys!

[damien]

My fav DLO moment is too hard to decide- there have been so many great ones. What sticks in my head though is the listening session at Sony. It was so good that you guys were the first to hear the album and it was brilliant hanging out. I also love the fact that some of you were nearly part of the choir recording down stairs that night. Happy days!

[thebraff (Braffy)]

;D ;D

How lovely that Damien stopped by and added his comment. Thank you Damien

I have so many more happy moments.

What about all the times at the concerts when Damien just breaks out in a song that no one was expecting? Great Balls of Fire for example

Or those jaw dropping extremely high notes that he manages to get to.

Or you are minding your own business chatting away when suddenly you hear an Irish voice behind you saying 'hello ladies'

The messages that he posts here (especially on Valentine's Day )

Someone posted earlier about the array of 'gifts' that have been given to Damien on stage. I love the way that he goes with the flow especially on some of the more type gifts. I think it is the fact that Damien has such a great and at times wicked sense of humour that people get to see another side of him. Of course, if Damien didn't like all those things then they would stop, but it is terrific how he can get mileage out of them.

I still have more, but I will stand back and read more of your favourite moments.

[astrokath]

My favourite moment without a doubt was when Damien dropped in on me at work I remember flying down the escalator like a mad thing straight into a hug - must have scared D to see me hurtling at him like that! And I was pretty much cactus for the rest of the day. The photo taken that day is my desktop on this computer. I just felt so lucky to have time with Damien, plus everyone at work then realised why we all love him so much ('He's so nice!' they all said ;D)
I also loved the three concerts in Melbourne, especially the one where we made the 'Free Darren/Free Beer' sign, and taking Krissy through the casino It was great to meet all the Melbourne girls.
And the first time I saw D in concert when DH took me to Hobart (what a man!) and we had the chance to go backstage to meet Damien.

I so wish I could have been at the listening party, but the work visit went a long way to compensate

[zeeta]

Seeing Damien for the first time ever when he sang Hallelujah on Idol, I couldn't believe how beautiful his voice was and how gorgeous he was. Also every concert of his I have been to.

[Glawz]

My next favourite moment was just now checking in on this thread to find that Damien has taken the time to come online and take a peek!

[shimmery]

Oh wow, so beautiful seeing Damien's special post here with ours in this thread none of us there at the Listening Session will ever forget that night.

I love reading all these moments and didn't even know where to start with my own - it's really impossible to name just a few as remembering one triggers the memory of other ones & all are ones I remember often & will always cherish

Every first time opening his new novels or hearing one of Damien's new albums would be among my favourites, so the Listening Session to hear RJ for the first time with him there with us in the room was just incredible. I loved every moment, to see his joy and excitement about the new album & that he could see all our first reactions, all the wonderful feeling there in that room - it was magic.

There are the show memories and seeing him create more pure magic from the stage - from the big showrooms to the wonderful cosy venues like the Vanguard, Basement, BM & the Annandale fundraising pub gig which are times I love to remember. During shows I've loved seeing the way he can be performing in full rock star mode one moment then in the next have the audience entirely spellbound with vocals so pure that gasps can be heard in an otherwise silent room. Then in the next, he will have us all laughing along with stories or the many off the cuff moments that happen through the shows and all add up to the special experiences they always are.


The epic, almost unbelievable moments! Watching from a clifftop as Damien sung in front of 300,000 spellbound pilgrims at the World Youth Day Concert, & seeing him sing at the Carols by Candlelight in the Domain with 100,000 twinkling candles alongside, not to mention that first night seeing him carried off with all the horses towards an amazing destiny to the Opera House forecourt with the fireworks going off all around and then dancing with 100s of complete strangers outside when we heard that he won - yes, just incredible memories.


So many fun memories too (that Casino carpark run! ) the Christmas time appearances, St Pat's in Hyde Park, the instores and events, the Mulligans book launch, OMG, there are so many!

Best of all has been to meet Damien & the other beautiful people I never would have otherwise met the precious chats, personal moments and memories over the years, I treasure them all

[Nuffy]

What a fantastic idea Braffy My head's buzzing with so many moments that I can't quite narrow it down so I'll clutch at whatever pops up right now:

Listening to the cd of The Winner's Journey helped me to focus and cope with some awful challenges in the year after Damien won Idol. Thank you Damien!

The Remember June Listening party - I felt so honoured to have been invited and for Damien to be there to appreciate exactly how much we adored the album and to have so much love and respect in the room for each other - that was really very special.
Also, when Damien joined our table to have a chat during the book launch at Mulligan's . I realised then just how down to earth and thoughtful Damien is. I was on cloud nine all the way home. ;D
First time when I heard Catch the Wind . I was alone in my car at night, facing a park. It was magic!
Listening to Beautiful for the first time live , with my hubby hugging me tightly.
Meeting other devotees to share our who also have become lovely friends

... There's more but I'll just go and savour these moments for now