5 & 6/9/14 MELBOURNE - Bennetts Lane

[Glawz]

Friday night's show crowd was a little down on numbers, but still a great atmosphere and very keen audience. it made no difference to Damien's performance - he could have been performing for royalty and wouldn't have done it any better!! . Support act was pretty ordinary, Pete somebody and I didn't think he was either a great singer or guitar player, too much loud strumming, not enough picking, light and shade. Some of the other tarts I spoke to had the same opinion. He seemed to have heaps of confidence, actually too much for the calibre of his performance, but on the Saturday night I thought he was a bit better, and he had some feedback from the crowd which he seemed to like. He was impressed with Damien, (who wouldn't be)

Unfortunately I didn't do a set list for Friday night but it was pretty much all over the place, he and Eric were just making it up as they went along!! It was an unusual mix I thought, will try to remember..

No particular order: Pretty woman, Crying, Hallelujah, Halfway Heart, You and I, Million Reasons, Stronger than Superman, Lilac Wine, Without a fight, Lonely nights(I think), Beautiful, Leah, One and only mum. A request for Maybe Someday was hilarious, as Damien couldn't remember how the song started, nor could he remember the lyrics Sue helped him out as she had it on her phone? and played it to him, so off he went. Did a great job eventually. If any of the girls want to ADD or change anything here feel free, I did it from memory.

STANDING OVATION!

Great meet and greet afterwards, think he sold lots of albums and books too, and tea towels. As usual he was very generous with his time, such a great bloke but you all know that already.

He looked gorgeous in dark jeans, a black satin type jacket, almost formal, with a gorgeous white shirt with black collar. Very sexy Mr Leith Damien and Eric were in great form and the banter between them was witty, extremely funny and clever. Vocally I can't believe that Damien can be even better than before but he continues to astound... the clarity and purity of the voice, especially in Lilac Wine was gob smackingly superb. Damien seems very happy and content, and showed no signs of jet lag fortunately.


Saturday night he wore the same jacket and pants but a dark blue t-shirt under. Pretty much packed house, very enthusiastic. Fantastically funny, lots of banter with the crowd (especially my son in law who arrived just after the first song after seeing North win the footy at the MCG). He put his north scarf on the front of the stage and D commented on it! I think Jim enjoyed the up close and personal with the 'star' and I said to Damien later that was my SIL who was heckling you, and he said he didn't mind, it was fun. Jokes about abs of steel, mentioned DWTS., Mel was in the audience too and he acknowledged her presence. Did the hip jerk thing, sexy Mr L!!

Set list, the real one for Saturday night. Not what I was expecting at all, he reckons Eric has put all the songs into the computer and it randomly selects the set list, maybe so..
Remember June
Lonely Nights
You and I
Working for the man
Handle with Care
Never Forget
Baby I love your way
Fall at your feet/With or without you/Land down under/Fall at your feet medley
Beautiful
Halfway Heart
Crying
To make you feel my love (swoon) (Brief Dylan impersonation!!)
Creep
Raglan Road
In Dreams
Million Reasons
Without a fight
Eagles medley.... Lying Eyes, Take it Easy
Eric then did a little solo, didn't know the song but his voice is decent, singly or backing.
I MAY HAVE MISSED ONE HERE??

Encore: They came back in and started playing the intro to Hallelujah and started making a joke that maybe it wasn't that at all. D started singing "Blue Moon", and then (very funny) did Blue Moon in a very high falsetto, sounded like the chipmunks)
Hallelujah

Bloody fantastic show. COMPLETE STANDING OVATION

Meet and greet again,

THANK YOU DAMIEN LEITH... YOU ARE A FANTASTIC SHOWMAN, AMAZINGLY PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL SINGER, AND GENUINE DOWN TO EARTH PLAIN LOVELY BLOKE!


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[plugger]

Well what can I say.......thanks Glawzy a great report. A fabulous night had by all.

I am not that long home....just love V-Line.........exhausted .....I will come back in tomorrow night....as working tomorrow .

Trilly all I can say is......what a shame. This is where it all began, this site was also recognised by Damien and he also always recognised the Damienites . Yes there is twitter and facebook....always will be. But sorry ......as long as there are a few that still post in here.....there will be DLO. It is just a shame.....

All I can say is what a totally wonderful weekend. Two wonderful shows.......catching up with other fans, meeting Kath and Julie for first time.....having Docloki and family travel down. Also seeing a group of younger guys at show on friday night who have followed Damien since idol. It was fabulous. Damien and Eric are truly getting better as they continue together. They are true entertainers and just make everyone in the room laugh and have a good time.

Hey.......first standing ovation on Saturday night was Glawzy's SIL.

Oh Damien mentioned a play to Glawz too.

I will head to bed, catch up on some sleep....then come back .

[dmac]

Thank you so much Glawz, shame about the numbers on Friday night....but great there was a crowd on the Saturday. It's a shame that it's assumed that everyone goes onto FB to read about concerts, etc but not all folk have a computer or use a computer and also some don't like/trust FB...I spend 5 to 10 minutes on FB and rarely tweet. We need more PR elsewhere (in other forms of media) I would hate to see D give up touring because of numbers. Aside from that sounds like a wonderful time was had by all He did Remember June ...was hoping he might do Still Miss us too. Looks like a great cross section of songs with some D originals in there Loving the sound of the gear and looking forward to seeing some pics Thank you so much for your write up, it's important for all those who won't see a show to be able to read about it....certainly not written up on FB or twitter ::)Terrific to read about those funny moments which we can all remember in one way or another and the friendly banter and interplay between Eric and D or even between the audience and D
Great to hear that Doc and family were there Plugz and so lovely there was a group of younger guys who have been continuing supporters hmmmm a play? One he is writing?
Thanks Glawz and Plugz for the reports
Thanks for your input Trilly.

[thebraff (Braffy)]

Thank you so very much ladies.

I fully agree with Dawn re not everyone has Fb or Twitter and no reports are written on there. I can name quite few members who don't do either of them.

I personally love reading all the little bits and pieces ...What Damien wore, what he sang, the audience reaction, what he and Eric got up to etc.

When I write my reports I am living the concert again.

Thank you all again.

Remember even though the outside world might be raining, if you keep on smiling the sun will soon show its face and smile back at you. – Anna Lee.

[catchthewind]

Please guys, never stop doing the concert reports on here! I love reading about his fantastic shows, takes me right back to the few I've been to.
I could (and have) spent hours looking through all the awesome stuff on this forum and I'd love to see it kept going.

Sounds like Damien is in fine form (uh, vocally and looks wise) I really wish I could get to one of these shows but unfortunately he's not coming to Newcastle with this run and work is a bit crazy to be able to travel at the moment. But I'm loving all the hints about a new album and possible tour next year, so here's hoping he returns to Newcastle soonly

[Glawz]

Yes Catchy, there is definitely a new album around March he said (sorry I didn't say earlier, can't remember everything/anything!!) However I'm not gonna hold my breath as sometimes the estimates of release are a couple of months out... he may bring it out for Mother's day if the record company and support have a brain. Makes sense, although having said that, he'd probably be up against new releases of Andre Rieu, Michael Bolton, etc.

Couldn't agree more with all you ladies re the importance of this forum. Not everybody is on or wants to be on FB and I wouldn't bother with Twitter. You have echoed my thoughts exactly so thank you.

I asked D when there may be another tour and he said not for a while, next year (probably after the new album is released, me not him saying this). Gosh I can't remember much about the play, I think it is going to be at a Festival of some kind, naturally enough will be keeping eyes and ears open and if it's at all possible for a little 'holiday' to somewhere not too far away, we'll be in it.

Hope you can get to a show soon Catchy, would love to meet you. He really makes it worth the effort to travel a distance.

[Glawz]

Here are some pics of D... pinched from Di's FB page. I don't think she'll mind. As I said before, I might be able to get some from DD - I've given up with my camera, they are not worth posting.

[catchthewind]

I'd make a weekend of it and go down to one of his Sydney shows in a heartbeat if I wasn't saving up to go overseas next year. Damien's voice is incredible live. For now, I'll have to be content with reading all the reports from you guys and watching Youtubes of his live stuff haha.

I'd love to meet some other Damienites too It's always fun to meet like-minded fans

[Trilly]

Aha, you all fell for my cunning plan.      I was testing the waters to see how many people would respond re wanting our rambling, gushing, awestruck gig reports to continue.     Cos sometimes, when you go to the trouble (as Glawzy did this time) to write a detailed summary it's easy to think no-one is reading if people don't respond. Glad to hear that they are still appreciated, because FB and Twitter are there to help spread the word re Damien. That's only a good thing! It's also a good thing that we have the ability to express ourselves in more detail here. 

Anyhoos, I really loved these shows, as if you couldn't tell.   He was at his scintillating best. Loved the Randomness of certain moments,( felafels. Wot???) Ha!  including the song selections. I was going to request Fall At Your Feet by the Crowdies but he did it in his medley. Siigh!  And when we asked for Creep he said "you all always ask for that! " Yes, D, because you K.I.L.L it!! Raise the freakin roof! Haha! I would have also asked for Golden Line, but forgot. Next time for sure!!!  

Also loved seeing everyone else having a ball and the standing ovations. D seemed to really enjoy it too, which is brilliant.

Xx

[plugger]

Trilly regardless of the test waters.......there may be only limited numbers ........but as long as they are on DLO......it won't die!

Facebook is open to the whole world ....here it is just open to the a Damien fans.

I like reading reports and stories......hearing how others are going. Sorry don't get that on FB. You get the real life stories and experiences here, well I do anyway .

Hey Bennetts Lane ...what a hoot. I think Glawz did sum up the report.

But what I did see was people going......I liked the first show that I went to.....don't know how to find Damien shows.....if not on FB or other.

[Trilly]

Actually, many FB pages aren't open to the whole world, Plugz. You can set up who sees what very easily.  However, DLO is of course very special to us, and to D,  it's where we became Damienites and where we've shared many, many special, unforgettable memories.  (Well, some of us forget stuff, that's why it's handy as an archive too.) Not trying to be particularly argumentative, just pointing out that there are alternatives to fora like this these days. All the better for Damien, it's not so exclusive. We're about supporting him, after all. 

PS. Glawzy did a great job. I was just adding a few of my thoughts, as we've always done. 

[kazzababe]

Trills you are such a tease....Of course we will always have DLO we love it here.
Thankyou all so much for the reports,you Melbourne tarts always seem to get a better set list than us,i hope if your reading this Damien that you give as many songs to us Sydney folk pretty please

[Annys always here..lol]

Glad someone was paying attention to the song list..I lost track..of what he was singing...or the order too many tangents..lol..but as I said in Chat ..DH..said DAMIEN WAS AWESOME.. he even said it in front of kidlets..lol..xxox

Always be kind to yourselves and others and remember you first to take care xxo

[Glawz]

Hi Anny, I'm so happy that your DH can appreciate real talent!! My DD and her DH said he was AWESOME as well and they have very broad tastes in music. I call them the music king and queen as they are always at live music shows, many different genres. I noticed my SIL was one of the first, if not first on his feed to give D a standing ovation.

[plugger]

Annie that's great that DH enjoyed it! Yes I know Glawzy SIL was the first off his seat to a standing ovation. Oh it was brilliant.

Kazza you will get a brilliant t show too. I just know it.

Catchy it would be lovely to meet you one day. A lot of friendships have been formed in here too.

Trilly , point taken. I did not mean to be argumentative either. I just have a soft spot for DLO, like all. I do really enjoy reading the reports ...happenings etc. People put in a lot of time finding out information to share too.

Awww....can we turn back the clock to last weekend!

Now Sydney Tarts....want a great report in return

Glawzy have you got a copy right on that biscuit receipe yet! How special was that .....hey. Oh when are you going to collect the containers........can I come !