Portsmouth

[woodster]

Hi to all Darren Fans.
I have been a long time fan of Darren as I am sure you all are. We used to be able to enjoy a completely live performance, instruments and backing singers were all present and the show did not rely on 2 Apple MAC computers and several synthesizers.

Darren clearly prerecorded the backing vocals and simply sang along and instead chose to pay robin hood to do his ironing on stage - surely the money would have been better spent on music. I am happy he is trying to push the boundaries of stage performance but a dating show was not what i expected.

Am i alone in feeling a bit dissapointed?

The over processed vocal sound left little of Darrens excellent talent to be enjoyed. A strange vocoder version of "I knew I loved You" left all the people around me saying, "Why did he f**k with it?" There were probably lots of couples there who have that song as "THEIR SONG" and that would have left them dissapointed. It didnt work in London and it didnt work in Portsmouth.

Come on Darren - You have given us so much in the past and I accept I may be the only one who thinks this but I think you should return to your roots - great songs - performed live - instead of a 2 finger keyboard karaoke show that my 8 month old daughter can play and sing (with a little practice)

I would be interested to hear what everyone thinks.

[*Darrens Sugar Rush*]

I have to disagree. I have been to all Darren's solo tours and honestly think this is the best. He doesn't need backing singers-he is good enough on his own and even tho the backing vocals were recorded, they were Darren's-just like on the album. I find he didn't just 'sing along', he put 200% into that show, as he does at every other.

It wasn't a dating show-his whole point of 'A big night in' was to make it more interactive.

With regards to the music and songs, just as the posters say 'Darren and SG hits with a twist'. I have to admit, the first time I heard IKILY, I almost cried and I hated it (it is mine and hubby's song). However, after being to so many of his shows, it has honestly grown on me and I admire Darren for being so brave in trying something so daring with a special song. The original is always there to listen to on CD so it was nice to hear a different version. I especially loved 'Unloveable' and thought he sang it with such passion. I loved 'Break Me, Shake Me' and Rob did a fantastic job on the keys, especially with 'Void', as did all the band.

Also, the 'Robin Hood' you refer to is Troi, his hair stylist and very good trusted friend. I think it was a nice touch that him and Lana (his PA) were there, as they are special to Darren and in turn, have become special to most of his fans. Troi and Lana are lovely and it was nice to see them.

Sorry you feel like that but I was not disappointed and can't wait for Wolverhampton x

[woodster]

Hello
There are so many "die Hard" Darren fans that I imagined I would have got flamed for my posting, so I am gratefull for your balanced response, thanks. these fans are so in love with their pop idol that Darren can simply leave the phone off the hook and get that "EEEOOOEEEOOOEEEOOO" tone - and the crowd will go wild.

I suggest that Darren is surrounded by "Yes-Men" who will not be giving him subjective feedback. I am trying to avoid being a critic, Darren has amazing vocal range, as a lyricist he can write depth that most aspire to. His melody finding is second to none and i simply feel that he is moving in a direction that muffles, distorts, processes, filters his voice. what was wrong with it how it was?

I still think that his friend & Stylist could have at least picked up a tambourine or a set of maraccas and contributed to the music. there was already 4 other non musicians on stage. At least he had skin tight jeans that iron maiden would be proud of, maybe that is rock enough.

I have paid to see a music concert - not an ironing demonstration. he could have at least offered to do some of mine. (smile) Leave Blind date to Cilla!.

Darren will enjoy a long career filling out guild halls with fans who will enjoy anything he does. Astrid Williamson supported Darren and it wet my appetite for some live music and promised to set the scene for what I thought was an upclose concert. It was and it wasn't. Yes Darren is trying something new and I wish him all the best. Maybe I should just stay at home and put the on CDs, watch blind date and do the ironing.

[Lulu_bg]

I love sincerity!! ;)
So I aprecciate your review!! It's good to see differents points of view.. principaly when you can't be there..

[bythunder]

I'm not suprized at the post to be honest. I must admit I think that Darren is striking out in new directions and infact pushing the boundaries of live music. I wish more musicians did that rather than churning out the same sound year after year. TTATS and the D/L tour blew me away and as a fan gave me renewed energy...

The special tricks he pulled with his voice during the gig made me even more excited about any subsequent album... this guy is NOT DONE YET with music. He's not wringing the sponge. He's out there, doing new things.

Grab yourself a coco while you're in Co-op and put your earplugs in if you don't like it... for me it was a blinding gig.

[Darrensbadness]

I'm not suprized at the post to be honest. I must admit I think that Darren is striking out in new directions and infact pushing the boundaries of live music. I wish more musicians did that rather than churning out the same sound year after year. TTATS and the D/L tour blew me away and as a fan gave me renewed energy...

The special tricks he pulled with his voice during the gig made me even more excited about any subsequent album... this guy is NOT DONE YET with music. He's not wringing the sponge. He's out there, doing new things.

Grab yourself a coco while you're in Co-op and put your earplugs in if you don't like it... for me it was a blinding gig.

I aggree...this 'Big night in' tour has been the best yet for me too. I admire Darren for trying out new things on us...the ppl who he trusts the most(he said at Nottingham that were are a great boss to work for).:w00t:
Darren is about to grow as an artist and hasn't finished with experimenting yet...I'm looking forward to what he has in store but I can understand some ppl finding it hard to accept different ways of singing a very much loved and admired song or songs. I like reading different opinions and views and I think Darren would too. I just can't wait for the next 'Darren' installment and I'm teetering on the edge of my seat in sheer anticipation!!!!
Love and light sally xxxx :laughing:

[~Titch~]

It was my 2nd time of seeing Darren and I just thought it was fantastic. I have no complaints whatsoever about him trying out different things, I was just happy to see him on stage again.

I loved the audience interraction, the blind date thing, the chat. I think its rather boring just to watch a singer sing and do little else. Darren is a performer, and I think this was just something different and new, and for me it worked. I can see for others it might not, but each to his own :)

[caz luvs daz]

I think you were the only one disappointed, I had an amazing time in Manchester and Darren was better than ever. I took my husband with me who wasn't a fan but came away a fan!!

[~ Caz ~]

I appreciate your honesty here, eveyone is entitled to their opinion even if it's what others don't want to hear!

I guess Darren wanted to try something different, surely as an artist he would realise that not everyone would like this.

There's just one thing that bothers me about your post

At least he had skin tight jeans that iron maiden would be proud of, maybe that is rock enough.

Having seen Iron Maiden many times i can state that, apart from one of them, they haven't worn skin tight jeans for years ;)

[nimb]

I don't Know...The Only thing that I do Know...It's that I would give everything to be in one of his concerts ....since 2002 I haven't see him in live...