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GIG REVIEW: Darren Hayes

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Darren Hayes performing his Do You Remember Tour at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Tuesday 21st March 2023.

Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

Australian Darren Hayes’ career began with a meteoric rise to fame when he joined up with Daniel Jones to form the duo Savage Garden, and they shot out of the gates with back to back hits that saw them top the charts around the world. But after two top selling albums they pulled the plug leaving Hayes to pivot to a solo career.

And it was to thunderous applause and squeals of delight that Hayes began his UK tour on Tuesday night at the Royal Concert Hall, where he delivered an array of Savage Garden songs and showcased new songs from his latest album, Homosexual.

He kicked off with jubilant versions of Homosapien and Chained To You, sung behind curtains that eventually revealed him standing on a platform. He didn’t waste any time as he launched straight into Savage Garden’s Affirmation and The Animal Song, dancing with two of his backing singers, and immediately had the crowd up and dancing.

Revealing that the extended break he had taken after releasing his epic 2011’s Secret Codes And Battleships was so that he could come to terms with the breakup of his marriage and the acknowledgement of his sexuality, he also entertained with tales of his pooch, Huxley, and his husband who hailed from Nottingham.

But the crowd absolutely revelled in hearing songs such as Casey, Insatiable and Dublin Sky from his solo career, and as he announced the party section of the show, new songs Do You Remember? Homosexual (Act One), and Let’s Try Being In Love were really well received.

To The Moon And Back came early in the set and when the first chords of Break Me Shake Me were heard, the crowd erupted, and there was no one in their seat for I Want You as they sang and danced away to the Savage Garden hit.

Finishing with The Best Thing, Hayes’ vocals had been outstanding and his stage presence captivating. Both old and new fans had been firmly in the palm of his hand, showing exactly why he is one of Australia’s finest artists.

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LIVE REVIEW: Darren Hayes – a euphoric return to UK stages in Do You Remember? tour

Home - Music Reviews - LIVE REVIEW: Darren Hayes – a euphoric return to UK stages in Do You Remember? tour

After 11 years away from the spotlight, multi-platinum selling former Savage Garden frontman, solo artist and godlike pop icon Darren Hayes has returned to the world stage – to say anticipation was in the air for the UK leg of the Do You Remember? tour would be the understatement of the century.

Hayes arrives silhouetted behind a simple but effective set of plain draped curtains (designed to transform from low-key mood-setting to reflecting the dazzling light shows the crowd has in store) that shroud a central staircase which forms a rainbow-lit platform upon which Darren’s performance is elevated in more ways than one at various points throughout the proceedings.

Opening with a glorious rendition of Pete Shelley 80s hit Homosapien (merged with teasing lyrics from Chained To You, Carry On Dancing and I Want You) the curtains finally part to reveal a beaming Darren Hayes. Placing his hands into a trademark heart shape above his head, bursting into hit Affirmation, we know we are in for a blistering performance ahead. The music briefly dips as Darren sings the line #I believe you can’t control or choose your sexuality# and is met with a rapturous applause (the first of many meaningful moments in the show) and Darren is welcomed back with open arms and mirrored hearts formed by adoring hands throughout the crowd.

25 years melted away in an instant as Darren’s exquisite voice resounded through the iconic concert venues ingeniously booked for this Do You Remember? tour. Full disclosure: this is a tour review glimmering with the blissful bias of having been a Darren devotee for the best part of three decades. I have booked and paid for tickets to four dates in the past fortnight (London, Manchester, Guildford and Sheffield) and I would have felt more than a little crazy if it were not for seeing that dozens (hundreds?) of other fans had felt compelled to do the same, leaving one gig on such a high they immediately booked more tickets to another date in the UK. It goes to show just how missed Darren has been, and how utterly unmissable this tour felt for fans who have patiently awaited his return for ten long years.

Following the pandemic, and seemingly endless lockdowns, to be amongst an audience of like minds enjoying music that provided a meaningful soundtrack to our existence would have been treat enough. But to witness Darren so viscerally happy in being 100% honest, and fully in control of his vision as a performer for the first time, left me elated in a way I had not prepared for. Since seeing Affirmation on the eve of my 17th birthday, back in November 2000, I have attended every tour, soaked up every solo album and devoured each new era of Darren’s music in its own fresh and beautiful way. I can faithfully say I have never seen him connect with a crowd in the same way as during this Do You Remember? tour.

As an artist Darren has always been full of surprises. Following the Savage Garden split in 2001, mercifully, it wasn’t goodbye, as Darren went solo. We were gifted the soul stirring pop of Spin, the pulsatingly moody The Tension and The Spark, an immense journey across time and space in This Delicate Thing We’ve Made and the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Secret Codes and Battleships. Each time, I believed he’d found his way ever closer to a creative freedom that he was content with. Following the magnificently intimate 2012 The Secret’s Out tour, I yearned to see what he next had in store. Then, of course, Darren decided to step away from music. It was devastating news but I understood it was for the best, for him, and that is what fans should want for their idol. Adoring from afar did not cease and loyal followers have clung to his back catalogue in times of celebration, and grief, and everything in between over the past decade.

While Darren took time out, I was thrilled to read about him starting studying comedy – I cannot imagine many better suited to improv than Darren, he’s got such a sharp wit. Without being consciously aware, though, it turns out I was waiting for a melodic rapture that was merely lying dormant inside me, ready to be reawakened. And the glorious new 2022 album Homosexual did not disappoint. It is absolutely Darren’s tour de force. Truly out and proud in a way that is beyond joyous. It is effervescent, it is mournful, it is devastating, it is bone-shakingly truthful, it is celebratory and every single track is absolutely bang on in its own inspiring way. If you haven’t listened yet, do yourself a favour and get it downloaded.

In recent interviews, Darren revealed how he was previously forced to hide his true self by music industry execs around fears of him appearing “too gay”. The fact that this horrific homophobia restricted his career, creativity and very essence makes me want to scream in anger. Especially when you understand that Darren had such a long journey to personal acceptance of who he is, which can only have been compounded by such disgusting attitudes. As a female fan who will freely admit to having posters plastered across her bedroom wall in the 90s, when I discovered Darren was gay, it didn’t change an ounce of the admiration I felt for him and his talent. If anything, it made me love him even more. His sexuality is an essential part of the man he is, and it is no doubt one key reason he is such a uniquely sensitive artist with an inimitable ability for writing poetic lyrics that resonate with fans all these years later.

Throughout this triumphant string of UK gigs, Darren was not simply going through the motions to capitalise on nostalgia by doing a hits tour. He speaks so earnestly to his crowds, confessing moments of regret, and explaining that much of his life was spent shrouded in shame. I have seen him engage with audiences before, working the room to both inconsolable tears and ecstatic hysteria, but this tour reached another level. Finding myself moved to cry, to joy, to sing, to dance (shouting so much I have lost my voice) throughout the 2 hour set, I rediscovered not just my admiration for Darren and his perfect falsetto renditions but my love for letting my spirit fly to music that fills you with hope – and a healing reassurance that you can make peace with everything that has gone before. Darren thanked us all for helping him find a way to breathe again, and survival in the face of adversity is a recurring theme that connects us all. New tracks Poison Blood and Hey Matt explore themes of depression, suicide, guilt, burden and loss of innocence – Darren delivers such impactful physical performances on stage, I felt more profound chills with every rewatch.

Darren has never shied away from wearing his heart and soul on his now superbly shimmeringly sequinned sleeve. Palpable vulnerability is something he has always shown as an artist, and fans will have previously heard him reference the terrifying trauma he endured through his childhood living with an abusive, alcoholic father. This time around, though, with his voice often breaking, he opens up and shares the heartache and lessons learned… never to protect an abuser by keeping their secret. It is a powerful bonding moment between Darren and his audience that comes after he sings the achingly beautiful Two Beds and a Coffee Machine. A cathartic outpouring of love was felt throughout the room as each night he spoke from the heart, not from a pre-rehearsed script. In Manchester, he recounted how despite the violence, his mother always made him feel like an angel. “You are!” came a fervent reply from a fan. Hear, hear! His talent is sent from above, and we lowly mortals cannot thank him enough for sharing the heavenly gift that is his breathtaking vocal range. No-one else on this earth can come close, in my humble (correct) opinion.

Darren goes still further than laying bare his painful childhood memories, and reflects on his life and career. He confides the shame he felt hiding another secret: he is gay. He could not share the truth, even with himself, for years. He exposes the casualty of his first marriage to childhood sweetheart Colby, and expresses his gratitude that she loved him enough to let him go and be able to live to his full potential. With the audience in the palm of his hand, Darren sits alone on the stage under a stark spotlight and launches into a rendition of I Don’t Know You Anymore so impassioned the shivers ripple like shockwaves through the crowd.

Exposing his regrets on stage brings a level of intimacy I have never before seen between a performer and fans. But this special connection is not all about the lows. Darren’s notorious sense of humour peppers his performances – engaging in skits with actress, director and incredible vocal talent Madeleine Coghlan, who he met doing improv classes. There is abundant laughter as well as contemplative moments in this show – Darren and Madeleine act out “backstage chats” via telephone which we are privy to. Darren cleverly uses this as a device to admit that he is nervous about the next section of the show: a spectacular showcase of high energy synth pop tracks from new album Homosexual. Labelling it the “party” section, boy, can Darren get us to strut! He looks absolutely untouchable up there as he throws shapes that confirm his status as the ultimate GBF I could only ever dream of getting the chance to tear up a gay club dance floor alongside.

Every artistic decision is so carefully thought out by Hayes and his stellar team, and I was deeply moved to learn that the gorgeous disco track All You Pretty Things pays tribute to the 49 people who died in the 2016 mass shooting at Orlando gay club Pulse. During Homosexual (Act One), a projection of the bust Antinous as Dionysus spins upon the stage – Antinous was the young lover of Emperor Hadrian who is believed to have been murdered by people who objected to their homosexual relationship. It goes to show that while time may have moved forward, we have not necessarily moved on as a human race. Darren presents a layered show with such powerful messaging it is impossible to express how much it has meant to fans to be back in his presence. I wish we lived in a kinder world where Darren had never been subdued because of his sexuality. The only consolation I can take from the injustice is that it has added to the arrival of Homosexual, and this tour, being ever more euphoric. It is 2023 and fans are at long last getting treated to Darren in all his crystal technicolor neon glory.

Undoubtedly, this is a hits tour that celebrates all that has gone before – and what is yet to come – and Darren repeatedly expresses his gratitude that fans have taken good care of his songs. “They belong to you, now,” he asserted. For me, the Savage Garden days were filled with promise and hearing Crash and Burn, I Want You, To The Moon and Back, The Animal Song, Truly Madly Deeply, I Knew I Loved You and The Best Thing felt transcendent. I think I actually gave myself whiplash during Break Me Shake Me and the delightful inclusion of a snippet from lesser known bonus track All Around Me transported me to my teen self, thrilling in blasting out the sassy lyrics in my bedroom. They were a real insight into Darren’s humour and his penchant for flamboyance shone through way back in 1997.

Darren has a knack for giving fans what they want. Littered with covers and nods to Darren’s 80s idols such as Madonna, Indeep and George Michael, Darren is a self confessed geeky pop culture fan which, besides being one of the many reasons fans adore him, is why he includes little nuggets for us to spot and reward our loyalty – they do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. With a back catalogue as long as a disco ball can spin, Darren crams the show with solo career favourites such as Insatiable (expertly mixed with Forget Me Nots by Patrice Rushen), Casey, Dublin Sky and Pop!ular (all personal favourites and highlights of the show for me). The inclusion of Hold Me, following a request in Newcastle, was a touching addition to the set that I will be forever grateful that he continued to play in Manchester and Sheffield.

As the UK tour approached its conclusion, this week, Darren was struck down by a cold and had to slightly shorten the set list in several cities, including Guildford. I can hand on heart say it did not dampen the show at all. In fact, the Guildford gig saw Darren in such a cheeky mood, affected by his cold meds, that brought about some hilarious blooper moments such as missing his cue to pick up the phone (apologies for heckling you to answer it, Darren! I couldn’t resist!) and forgetting to thank Maddy during the encore (she forgave him!) In a Covid-hangover world, Darren could have cancelled the final shows altogether. The fact he kept his commitment to perform the added dates despite being in much need of bed rest shows how much he cares about his job, and his fans. He’s a dedicated professional, and the energy thrown into each and every performance was nothing short of astounding.

Darren bowing out of the limelight his talent so clearly deserves, and flourishes in, for the last 11 years was undoubtedly a vital personal choice for him, but I cannot help but mourn the lost time and potential for more music that was quashed. The fact music industry bosses perpetuated the homophobic shame he felt after he had the courage to come out is unforgivable. But, where we find Darren now feels so good – it is a privilege to have witnessed him return as his authentic self.

In summary: Do we remember, Darren? A resounding yes. We always have, always will, and I think I speak on behalf of the UK when I say thank you, and we will be back to share the memories whenever you next return. I have seen many fans urge him via socials “please don’t leave it another 10 years” which I must reiterate, otherwise, I fear I will need a hip replacement after Break Me Shake Me come 2033…!

The Do You Remember? UK tour leg has now finished but USA fans can book for upcoming dates here: www.darrenhayes.com – and why not sign up to the newsletter so you do not miss out on future tour updates.

(#You’re a legend, you’re a glamour queen. God, I’m running out of words, but you know what I mean…#)

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Darren Hayes - The Do You Remember Tour

Celebrating 25 years of savage garden, solo hits and more, australia · january–february 2023.

• 31 Jan - Perth - RAC Arena
• 4 Feb - Melbourne - Sidney Myer Music Bowl
• 7 Feb - Sydney - Aware Super Theatre, ICC Sydney
• 8 Feb - Newcastle - Entertainment Centre
• 11 Feb - Brisbane - Entertainment Centre

UK · March–April 2023

• 21 March - Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
• 22 March - Brighton Dome
• 24 March - Cardiff St David's Hall
• 25 March - Oxford New Theatre
• 26 March Sold Out - Birmingham Symphony Hall
• 28 March Sold Out - London Palladium
• 29 March - Southend Cliffs Pavillion
• 31 March - Glasgow Sec Armadillo
• 01 April - Newcastle 02 City Hall
• 02 April Sold Out - Manchester Bridgewater Hall

Extra dates added due to demand

• 04 April - Bath Forum
• 05 April - Ipswich Regent
• 07 April - Guildford G Live
• 08 April - Sheffield City Hall

North America · April 2023

• April 12 - Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall
• April 13 - New York, NY The Town Hall
• April 15 - Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
• April 17 - San Francisco, CA Palace of Fine Arts
• April 20 - Chicago, IL House of Blues
• April 22 - Washington, DC Sixth & I
• April 24 - Somerville, MA Somerville Theatre

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Darren Hayes announces massive UK tour to mark Savage Garden's 25th anniversary

27 June 2022, 13:23

By Mayer Nissim

The former Savage Garden frontman will celebrate his old band's anniversary on his upcoming tour.

Listen to this article

Darren Hayes's career went from strength to strength since Savage Garden split way back in 2001, but his fans always had a soft spot for his former duo with producer Daniel Jones.

The group scored massive hits in the 1990s with songs including 'To the Moon and Back', 'Truly Madly Deeply', 'Affirmation', 'I Want You' 'The Animal Song' and 'I Knew I Loved You'.

• The Story of... 'Truly Madly Deeply' by Savage Garden
• Gary Barlow releases gorgeous duet of 'I Knew I Loved You' with Savage Garden's Darren Hayes
• Listen to the Smooth Chill Classics Live Playlist on Global Player

After winning success as a solo star with a clutch of albums, Hayes has been on break for the past ten years, instead focusing on a career in stand-up, sketch comedy and podcasts.

He returned to music in January 2022 with the single 'Let's Try Being in Love', following it up with the songs 'Do You Remember' and 'Poison Blood'.

Hayes still clearly has plenty of affection for his former partnership, as he's dedicating his 2023 UK tour to the 25th anniversary of Savage Garden.

Tickets for the show go on sale this Thursday, June 30 at 9am.

"You never know how much you love something until it's taken away from you," Hayes said.

"After almost a decade out of the spotlight and all this time in lockdown I found myself really missing the electric feeling that only a live audience can bring."

He added: "After 25 years in the music industry, I feel like we've grown up together.

"To sing these songs again after all we've been through is going to feel like a family reunion. I'm beyond excited to return."

Darren Hayes - Poison Blood (Official Video)

The full tour dates are as follows:

• 21st March – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
• 22nd March – Brighton Dome
• 24th March – Cardiff St David’s Hall
• 25th March – Oxford New Theatre
• 26th March – Birmingham Symphony Hall
• 28th March – London Palladium
• 29th March – Southend Cliffs Pavilion
• 31st March – Glasgow SEC Armadillo
• 1st April – Newcastle O2 City Hall
• 2nd April – Manchester Bridgewater Hall

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News: Darren Hayes Announces The ‘Do You Remember? UK 2023 Tour

Darren Hayes, the multi-award-winning songwriter, iconic performer and one half of the globally revered Savage Garden, has today announced a major UK tour for 2023, his first in over a decade! The tour will celebrate 25 years of Savage Garden, his well-established solo career and more. Tickets go on sale Thursday 30th June at 9am via www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.darrenhayes.com.

As the lead singer and songwriter of duo Savage Garden, Australian born Darren Hayes quickly dominated the pop landscape achieving an impressive 10 UK Top 40 hits from ‘I Want You’, ‘To The Moon and Back’, to ‘I Knew I Loved You’ to U.S Billboard number ones including the timeless ‘Truly Madly Deeply’. With Savage Garden and as a solo recording artist in his own right, Darren has sold over 30 million albums globally. Fans got a taste of his first new music in over a decade with the strikingly personal ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ and ‘Do You Remember?’ released earlier this year ahead of his long-awaited new solo record.

The evolution of Darren Hayes continues to flourish with the recent release of his new track, ‘Poison Blood’. The song provided an avenue for Darren to explore darker themes of depression and suicide, and as a result, produce some of his most earnest and raw lyrics to date.

Darren on Poison Blood video: “My song ‘Poison Blood’, deals with depression, which is such a delicate subject in and of itself, so when it came time to make a visual component, I knew I wanted to make a music video that was extremely intimate but was also true to the visual inspirations and musical references that have shaped this new era of music. Everything has been tinged by an 80’s wistfulness and had a magical quality to it.” Darren Hayes

‘Poison Blood’ was written, orchestrated, and produced entirely by Darren in Los Angeles. Inspired by their love for 80’s music videos, particularly the opening shot of Prince’s When Doves Cry, Darren and Alex created a video that beautifully accompanies the emotive and powerful Poison Blood. Filmed mostly on equipment and techniques that were available in 1985, the video captures Darren at his most raw, unguarded and real.

Ahead of the UK dates, the iconic performer returns to the stage in his native Australia before hitting our shores in March for a true celebration of Savage Garden, solo hits and much more. Of the new tour, Darren said:

“You never know how much you love something until it’s taken away from you. After almost a decade out of the spotlight and all this time in lockdown I found myself really missing the electric feeling that only a live audience can bring. After 25 years in the music industry, I feel like we’ve grown up together. To sing these songs again after all we’ve been through is going to feel like a family reunion. I’m beyond excited to return.”

Tickets go on sale Thursday 30th June at 9am via www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.darrenhayes.com.

::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder – Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion. Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald. Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.

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Darren Hayes looks back: ‘What you can’t see is how unhappy I was’

The Savage Garden singer on his violent father, embracing his sexuality and performing with Pavarotti

Singer-songwriter Darren Hayes was born in Brisbane in 1972. His journey to stardom began in 1993, when Hayes responded to an advertisement in a newspaper written by Daniel Jones, a local musician searching for a vocalist to front his covers band, Red Edge. Hayes and Jones would go on to form the duo Savage Garden, releasing only two albums but selling more than 25m records globally and creating some of the definitive ballads of the 90s: Truly Madly Deeply, To the Moon and Back and I Knew I Loved You. Hayes went on to forge a successful solo career, and his new album, Homosexual, is out on 7 October. He tours his greatest hits in March 2023.

This photo isn’t what it appears to be. It looks like a sweet setup of a 12-year-old boy smiling in his bedroom with the world on his lap and a poster of his favourite artist behind him. What you can’t see are the other rooms in that house, with holes in the walls patched up with putty. Or how unhappy I was, with a violent alcoholic father who would physically abuse my mother.

This abuse went on from as far back as I can remember until a few years after this photograph was taken, when my father stopped drinking. In the 1970s and 80s, nobody talked about domestic violence; my mother was always very ashamed of what was happening and we were forbidden to speak about it to anyone. She would have hated it if the neighbours knew. As a result, my siblings and I became adept at surviving: we figured out how to get the putty from the hardware store to patch up the walls he’d punched, and my 12-year-old sister learned how to drive so we could get our beaten and bruised mother in a car if we needed to. Family members were aware and tried to help as much as they could, but everything was about keeping up appearances.

I grew up in Slacks Creek next to Woodridge, a working-class neighbourhood south of Brisbane. We had very little money, and there were five of us living in a small two-bedroom house full of trauma. What made life more complicated was that during that period of turbulence, my sexuality began to emerge. I was having crushes on boys at school, and I was afraid of what might happen if anyone found out. I was being horribly bullied because I stood out – I was sensitive, and loved to sing and dance. I learned very quickly that there was something inside me – even if it was just a subconscious thought – that was repulsive. The first person to call me a “faggot” was my father.

In the years that followed I became a good student, a lovely little boy with great manners – a real teacher’s pet. I turned up those qualities as a survival skill, to try to be loved. I developed all the traits a mother knows how to nurture, qualities that are feminine, such as empathy, to ensure I could stay close to her. I was afraid of severance.

That Michael Jackson picture on my bedroom wall became a prize possession. It was the closest I could get to listening to his music. I couldn’t afford to buy the album, but I found this cheap poster at a state fair. I was a huge fan, but didn’t realise he would inform the trajectory of the rest of my life. In 1987, I was able to attend his Bad tour. I got a cheap field ticket to a stadium show nearby, but when I got there it was upgraded, so I was able to get to the front. The world’s biggest star in his imperial phase; I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing. I was screaming out: “I love you, Michael!” and some girls behind me were pulling my hair and kicking me, and telling me I was gay for saying that. I didn’t care. In that moment, I made a pact with the universe that I would be on stage one day. Because of that show, I was able to imagine my way out of my sadness.

Ten years later, I would sell out that same arena twice with Savage Garden. My mother would divorce my dad. I was able to buy her a house, and that sad little boy, through the power of imagination and maintaining an innocent heart, managed to create a happy ending.

When I used to speak about my childhood I would stutter. I was kind of frozen. It was a manifestation of PTSD, a dissociation I had created as a coping mechanism when I was young. A therapist asked if I had ever really cried about what had happened, and I hadn’t. I couldn’t feel anything. I often wonder if that was why I found it so hard to come out as gay – I dissociated from that part of me in a lot of ways; it was too hard to face.

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I used that same mechanism throughout my career. I created a persona, a pop-star version of myself. The authenticity was there, the lyrics and the performance were real, but when I see old photos I look like someone in witness protection. I changed my natural hair and wore blue nail varnish. The persona allowed me to be one step removed, to deal with fame, the frenzy, which I realised was a toxic environment. The downside was I didn’t get to experience the validation the group got: the Billboard No 1 singles, the applause and love. They all happened as a result of the music we made, but the sensations of celebration missed me. Then there was the adrenaline spike of walking out at a packed venue. It was only later on I realised why: it was the same sensation I felt when my father was running and lunging at us. It was normal, familiar.

I still managed to have plenty of highs that I’ll never forget, though, like singing with Pavarotti or performing at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. As I get older, I am finding more joy and authenticity in being myself as a performer. That character I had created – that avoidance – it faded after I married my husband.

It all started with a tour I did in 2006 called A Big Night in with Darren Hayes . For that, I threw away the persona, and the curtains parted and my whole entourage was on the stage with me: there was my personal assistant, some friends and my husband. I treated the audience as if they were in my living room. That was the first step. I was married at the time, but none of my fans knew it – so soon after that I posted a message on Myspace that read: “I just wanted you to know that I married my boyfriend of two years the other day.”

After that, the information was out there, and there was no rug left to pull from underneath me. I’d been carrying around this fear for so long and had worried there was something about me that was unlovable. But instead I realised I didn’t need to have black hair, or swagger – I could be myself and people would still turn up. I started to be more camp, and I was a little embarrassed I’d underestimated the compassion of the public.

A lot of the weight I’d been carrying around was self-imposed. It became confused with everything I had been through when I was a child. It’s a shame it took me so long to get to that point – but I’m grateful I arrived.

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Darren Hayes announces first UK tour in over a decade

James Reese

Darren Hayes is set to return to the stage with a 2023 UK tour. 

The former Savage Garden star will celebrate 25 years of the group, along with his celebrated solo career, with a string of gigs next spring. 

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Kicking off March 21 in Nottingham, the trek includes stops in Birmingham, Cardiff and Newcastle, among other cities, plus a massive gig at The London Palladium. 

I’m TOURING THE UK in March and April 2023! Tix on sale Thurs June 30 9am via GIGS AND TOURS https://t.co/iY0E10pggK TICKET MASTER https://t.co/6nzQYKoULi Exclusive FAN PRE-SALE Wednesday June 29 9am via https://t.co/KgUFmb4Ts6 pic.twitter.com/slTS4SXLDJ — Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) June 27, 2022

The tour wraps at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on April 2. 

Tickets go on sale June 30 at 9am BST. 

The full list of tour dates is as follows:

21 – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham 22 – Dome, Brighton 24 – St David’s Hall, Cardiff 25 – New Theatre, Oxford 26 – Symphony Hall, Birmingham 28 – The Palladium, London 29 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend 31 – SEC Armadillo, Glasgow

1 – O2 City Hall, Newcastle 2 – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Darren recently released Poison Blood , his third single since staging a comeback earlier this year, and  opens up about his new music in the May 2022 edition of Retro Pop , admitting life as a pop star today is more enjoyable than it was back in the 1990s. .

“The gay experience really hit me and really touched me, because I finally understood that wow, I was 24, 25, 26, at the height of my fame, therefore I was most famous when I was still struggling with my self-identification,” he says.

“I had all this attention thrust at me when I didn’t know who the fuck I was. I had been married to a woman I was divorcing but in private. Most people didn’t even know I had been married to a woman and yet I was coming out and trying to express myself through my fashion, through all my Jean-Paul Gautier outfits, and painting my nails. 

“I was so struggling with my sexuality and trying to find my place in a world before ‘Drag Race’, ‘Will & Grace’, Lil Nas X, Troye Sivan, or Will Young. Those people and pioneers didn’t really exist.”

The increase in representation and an increasingly diverse media landscape marks a welcome change from the climate in which Darren found early success, which he admits was “stifling”.

“My experience of being a pop star in the ‘90s was, ‘You’re fine as long as you’re not gay.’ You had all these boybands and teen heartthrobs but god forbid if you’re gay,” he explains. “It was incredibly suffocating and for me, as someone who was literally buried by a major label the minute I came out, it was incredibly stifling.” 

The hitmaker adds: “There was a huge pressure back then to ‘out’ people and the misconception about me is that I was in the closet, but nothing could have been further from the truth. I was out, I tried to be so much more out because I thought, if I just came out, it would solve all my problems. 

“It took me a long time to have self-love and get rid of the toxic shame in the internalised homophobia that a lot of gay men have to go through to come out on the other side and love themselves. I was very depressed and had suicidal thoughts during that period and, had social media been around that time, I don’t know if I’d be here. It was a really tough time for me. I did as well as I could, I’m proud of the fact that I lived an authentic life and throughout my music, even during the Savage Garden days, I was really desperately trying and asking for help in my songs.”

Now, however, things are different, and it’s a relief for the superstar to return to the stage in 2022 and feel liberated to present his authentic self. 

“It’s much more vibrant and liberating to be an artist today… I never fell out of love with music, I think it was the industry actually,” he believes, adding, “I’m sure a 23-year-old will listen to my story and be surprised there was a time when you couldn’t be gay.”

Read the full interview in the May 2022 edition of Retro Pop, out now. Order yours or subscribe via our  Online Store .

Connor Gotto

Founder and editor of RETROPOP. Self-proclaimed pop aficionado. Like to make my life look super cool and exciting online, but usually found at home, with my dogs, sipping wine and listening to Nicki French!

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Darren Hayes announces 2023 UK tour

Darren Hayes has announced a UK tour for 2023, celebrating 25 years of Savage Garden as well as hits from his solo career.

Hayes’ first major UK tour in over a decade, fans will also be able to hear new music which the singer has been teasing this year including ‘Let’s Try Being in Love’ and ‘Do You Remember?’ along with the new track ‘Poison Blood’.

In his career to date, Hayes has had 10 UK Top 40 hits as part of Savage Garden including ‘I Want You’, ‘To The Moon and Back’ and ‘Truly Madly Deeply’. Hayes has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

Of the tour Hayes said, “You never know how much you love something until it’s taken away from you. After almost a decade out of the spotlight and all this time in lockdown I found myself really missing the electric feeling that only a live audience can bring. After 25 years in the music industry, I feel like we’ve grown up together. To sing these songs again after all we’ve been through is going to feel like a family reunion. I’m beyond excited to return.”

To mark the tour announcement, Hayes has released the music video for ‘Poison Blood’. The song provided an avenue for Hayes to explore darker themes of depression and suicide, and as a result, produce some of his most earnest and raw lyrics to date. 

Commenting on the video Hayes said, “My song ‘Poison Blood’, deals with depression, which is such a delicate subject in and of itself, so when it came time to make a visual component, I knew I wanted to make a music video that was extremely intimate but was also true to the visual inspirations and musical references that have shaped this new era of music.  Everything has been tinged by an 80’s wistfulness and had a magical quality to it.”  

‘Poison Blood’ was written, orchestrated, and produced entirely by Hayes in Los Angeles. The video, directed by film maker Alex Hyner is inspired by Hyner and Hayes’ love for 80s music videos.

The full list of tour dates in 2023 is:

21 st  March        Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

22 nd  March       Brighton Dome

24 th  March        Cardiff St David’s Hall

25 th  March        Oxford New Theatre

26 th  March        Birmingham Symphony Hall

28 th  March        London Palladium

29 th  March        Southend Cliffs Pavilion

31 st  March        Glasgow SEC Armadillo

1 st  April            Newcastle O2 City Hall

2 nd  April            Manchester Bridgewater Hall

Tickets go on sale Thursday 30 th  June at 9am via  www.gigsandtours.com ,  www.ticketmaster.co.uk  and  www.darrenhayes.com .

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Too Close For Comfort | Darren Hayes

This documentary, tracking Hayes’ 2002 tour of the same name, begins with an interview in which the singer admits that he never wanted Australian pop duo Savage Garden to split up, then cuts to Hayes onstage, leather-jacketed, sunglassed-up and exuding a Liam Gallagher-ish insouciance as he sings Creepin’ Up On You. It sets the tone for the film: shots of Hayes, backstage and shirtless, intercut with confessional interviews (all in black-and-white) and colour live footage. 

Over two and a quarter hours, Hayes explores his own personality, worries, humour, hopes and dreams, whether music-related or general life issues. Tour fever is evident as he shambles around, unable to work out appliance plugs – then, onstage, he’s in full self-expression mode. 

The fans’ visceral, near-obsessive excitement forms a severe juxtaposition to the anxieties of the artist; unrest in Chechnya looms, bursting the bubble with some force. Hayes reflects on life as a solo artist with intelligence. The package also includes a live CD with eight songs from the tour plus a repro tour programme. 

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• All setlist songs  ( 142 )

Years on tour

• 2023  ( 34 )
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• 2012  ( 8 )
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Average setlist for tour: Too Close for Comfort

Note: only considered 8 of 19 setlists (ignored empty and strikingly short setlists)

• Creepin' Up on You Play Video
• Dirty Play Video
• Heart Attack Play Video
• Strange Relationship Play Video
• Insatiable Play Video
• To the Moon & Back ( Savage Garden  song) Play Video
• The Lover After Me ( Savage Garden  song) Play Video
• Chained to You ( Savage Garden  song) Play Video
• Good Enough Play Video
• I Want You ( Savage Garden  song) Play Video
• Crush (1980 Me) Play Video
• What You Like Play Video
• Affirmation ( Savage Garden  song) Play Video
• I'll Bet He Was Cool ( Savage Garden  song) Play Video
• I Knew I Loved You ( Savage Garden  song) Play Video
• Truly Madly Deeply ( Savage Garden  song) Play Video
• Spin Play Video

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Tuesday 04 April 2023

Darren Hayes

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Darren Hayes ‘Do You Remember?’ UK tour heads to New Theatre Oxford in 2023

Claire Foster

Darren Hayes, the multi-award-winning songwriter, iconic performer and one-half of the globally revered Savage Garden, has announced a major UK tour for 2023, his first in over a decade! The tour will celebrate 25 years of Savage Garden, his well-established solo career and more.

As the lead singer and songwriter of duo Savage Garden, Australian-born Darren Hayes quickly dominated the pop landscape, achieving an impressive 10 UK Top 40 hits from ‘I Want You’, ‘To The Moon and Back’ to ‘I Knew I Loved You’ and US Billboard number ones, including the timeless ‘Truly Madly Deeply’.

With Savage Garden and as a solo recording artist in his own right, Darren has sold over 30 million albums globally. Fans got a taste of his first new music in over a decade with the strikingly personal ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ and ‘Do You Remember?’ released earlier this year ahead of his long-awaited new solo record.

The evolution of Darren Hayes continues to flourish with the recent release of his new track, ‘Poison Blood’. The song provided an avenue for Darren to explore darker themes of depression and suicide and, as a result, produce some of his most earnest and raw lyrics to date.

Darren on Poison Blood video: “My song ‘Poison Blood’, deals with depression, which is such a delicate subject in and of itself, so when it came time to make a visual component, I knew I wanted to make a music video that was extremely intimate but was also true to the visual inspirations and musical references that have shaped this new era of music. Everything has been tinged by an 80s wistfulness and had a magical quality to it.”

‘Poison Blood’ was written, orchestrated, and produced entirely by Darren in Los Angeles. The video, directed by filmmaker Alex Hyner, premiered on YouTube and can be viewed below.

Inspired by their love for 80s music videos, particularly the opening shot of Prince’s ‘When Doves Cry’, Darren and Alex created a video that beautifully accompanies the emotive and powerful Poison Blood. Filmed mostly on equipment and techniques available in 1985, the video captures Darren at his most raw, unguarded and real.

Ahead of the UK dates, the iconic performer returns to the stage in his native Australia before hitting our shores in March for a true celebration of Savage Garden, solo hits and much more.

On the new tour, Darren said: “You never know how much you love something until it’s taken away from you. After almost a decade out of the spotlight and all this time in lockdown, I found myself really missing the electric feeling that only a live audience can bring.

“After 25 years in the music industry, I feel like we’ve grown up together. To sing these songs again after all we’ve been through is going to feel like a family reunion. I’m beyond excited to return.”

Darren Hayes will perform at New Theatre Oxford on 25 March 2023, and tickets are now on sale.

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