DARREN HAYES: THE SECRET’S OUT TOUR

Oct 1 2012

DARREN HAYES: THE SECRET’S OUT TOUR – BRIGHTON DOME – 29 SEPTEMBER, 2012

“Is he miming?” I was asked by a friend, one song in to the final night of Darren Hayes’ 2012 ‘The Secret’s Out’ tour at Brighton Dome last night. I of course scoffed and then ‘ssh’-ed him immediately.

But such is the strength of the former Savage Garden frontman’s vocal that he sounds as good live as he does on record and the question itself isn’t therefore a surprising one.

Last year, he released his fourth solo studio album, ‘Secret Codes and Battleships’; a labour of love that, he explains early on in the set, very nearly didn’t see the light of day. Whilst his fans are clearly a loyal bunch (the Dome is packed to the rafters with personalised tee shirt-wearing die hards), it seems record labels and radio stations are reluctant to invest money and airtime in to someone merely for their extraordinary vocal talent and showmanship. Otherwise the Brisbane-born London-based singer would be quids in.

Alas the sales come hand in hand with such publicity but Secret Codes still
managed to chart at #29 on its UK release last October, subsequently becoming Darren’s fourth consecutive Top 40 album; a massive achievement considering the lack of support its singles received but it is genuinely a fantastic record.

Darren makes it very clear that he recognises the driving forces behind his continued success and it feels like this new tour, an extension of the promotional gigs that he took around the UK last year in support of the new record, is a personal thank you to everyone who has put him on stage, from his fans to his family, from his former band to those who inspired him to realise his goals.

Brilliant song choices from each record that Hayes has sprinkled his magical fairydust over (including his 2008 ‘We Are Smug’ side project with long term collaborator Robert Conley) resulted in an 18 track set list that felt far shorter than it actually was, but time flew as fans were entranced and enthralled in equal measure whilst Darren expertly wove in between emotionally powerful numbers and exhilarating crowd pleasers.

The opening four songs set the bar high with ‘God Walking Into The Room’ feeling a rather appropriately titled kick off, what with all the screaming going on (albeit mainly from me), and ‘I Like The Way’ instantly reminding me just how incredible Darren’s sophomore album ‘The Tension and the Spark’ still is. ‘To The Moon and Back’ has aged beautifully and ‘Nearly Love’ is a great dose of solid pop from ‘Secret Codes’.

So far, so good but it was the acoustic medley of ‘Cruel Cruel World’, ‘So Beautiful’ and ‘Truly Madly Deeply’ which then shifted the gear for the whole night, silencing the singalong crowd as Darren paid tribute to his husband and shared his difficulties with finding label support to release the album. ‘Cruel Cruel World’ had, until that point, been little more than a very listenable new album track. Of course, a good gig and a great performance puts the songs in to perspective and this was just the beginning.

Refusing to let the audience get too caught up in balladry for any extended period of time, ‘Affirmation’ album track ‘The Animal Song’ then arrived to get the crowd jumping and waving their arms around quite appropriately resembling primates endulging in a tribal dance whilst recent single ‘Black Out The Sun’ – co-written with Carl Falk and originally planned as an offering for Leona Lewis – was delivered with the haunting intensity that makes it one of the new release’s stand out cuts.

The music video for the last single he released ‘Stupid Mistake’ set the scene for the next four tracks, with Hayes tackling his more disillusioned moments within the industry – the highlight for me being an EXTRAORDINARY electronic mash up of Bros’ ‘When Will I Be Famous’ with the still-lyrically wonderful #12 hit ‘Pop!ular’, taken from his critically acclaimed sophomore album ‘The Tension and the Spark’. If the prospect of watching Darren strut around the stage, lit up electronically and spouting about selling his soul for fame doesn’t appeal already, throw in a bit of Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ for good measure. “Greta Garbo and Monroe…”

‘Hot Tub Blues’ is a lesser known Hayes hit and will continue to divide fans of his more traditional take on music – it’s hard to believe it’s even the same man singing what sounds like a jazz musical comedown – but, in the context of the section of this tour, it worked remarkably well.

A surprise yet sombre performance of the stunning ‘Affirmation’ album cut ‘I Don’t Know You Anymore’ wrapped up that section to massive rounds of applause but it was clear that dancing shoes needed to be dusted off. Perfect timing for the title track of Savage Garden’s final full lengther, providing one of the most exhilarating moments of the night, before he ended his set with a splendid rendition of the beautifully melodic Secret Codes album closer ‘The Siren’s Call’.

Back on stage for a final hat trick of top tracks, Darren’s debut solo single ‘Insatiable served up one of the biggest highlights of the show. An absolutely blistering, electronic, dance reworking had it sampling Snap’s Rhythm Is A Dancer and providing a sonically surprising yet utterly incredible marriage of tracks that could rival much of the current dance fodder cluttering the charts.

He then paid tribute to his elder sister Tracy by performing two tracks he wrote for her. First up was ‘Casey’ from his 2007 double length album, ‘This Delicate Thing We’ve Made’, followed by the soaring and majestic ’Bloodstained Heart’, one of my favourite songs in recent years.

Emotions packed the intimate setting, and for the entire two hours, I felt more involved than I’ve ever felt at any other gig I have been to. I was either beaming from ear to ear or I was welling up. I was never ambivalent, instead always in awe. Yes, he’s a great showman. Yes, he has one of the most incredible, if not the most incredible, live vocals (THAT falsetto!) that I’ve heard in my thirty years.

But for me, what makes me tremble at the knees and turn in to what is probably a very sad fanboy, is how he communicates with his fans, and the connection that he develops between himself, them and the lyrics. I was just an observer last night, but ultimately I felt totally immersed and part of the show.

Someone make sure that he releases another album.

SETLIST:

1. God Walking Into The Room (Secret Codes & Battleships)
2. I Like The Way (The Tension and The Spark)
3. To The Moon And Back (Savage Garden’s self titled debut album)
4. Nearly Love (Secret Codes & Battleships)
5. Cruel Cruel World (Acoustic) (Secret Codes & Battleships)
6. So Beautiful (Acoustic) (Truly Madly Completely)
7. Truly Madly Deeply (Acoustic) (Savage Garden’s self titled debut album)
8. The Animal Song (Savage Garden – Affirmation)
9. Black Out The Sun (Secret Codes & Battleships)
10. Stupid Mistake (Secret Codes & Battleships)
11. Pop!ular – When Will I Be Famous/Vogue mash up (The Tension and The Spark)
12. Hot Tub Blues (We Are Smug)
13. I Don’t Know You Anymore (Savage Garden – Affirmation)
14. Affirmation (Savage Garden – Affirmation)
15. The Siren’s Call (Secret Codes & Battleships)
16. Insatiable – Rhythm Is A Dancer mash up (Spin)
17. Casey (This Delicate Thing We’ve Made)
18. Bloodstained Heart (Secret Codes & Battleships)

The GAYS Of DAYTIME- The Blog.: GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN...

[Source]

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN...

Kieron Hobbs (HOLLYOAKS, poisoned)
Kieron came to Hollyoaks as a priest and fell in love with John-Paul - and who could blame him. Basically as soon as the character appeared on screeen, it was known he was set up to die. When the scene finally aired, a lot of people where actually shocked by how much of a let down it ultimately was... Even worse was the aftermath, with John-Paul not being allowed to grief because both James Sutton and Guy Burnet, who played the storyline's endgame lover, Craig, were on a tight schedule...

Ianto Jones (TORCHWOOD, alien virus)
Ianto died in Jack's arms in CHILDREN OF EARTH when Jack refused to give into the 456's demands. The nasty aliens released a virus, which killed both Jack (for a couple of minutes) and Ianto. Ever since, BBC WALES never had to pay for coffee beans again and there are still areas in TV fandom land that series creator Russell T. Davies should avoid after dark...

 

Jackson Walsh (EMMERDALE, assisted suicide)
Emmerdale has taken it upon itself to make it absolutely clear that you shouldn't expect it to get better EVER. Life is just one long stream of failures, horrible dramas and depressing situations. After Jackson was hit by a train, he couldn't adjust to his new immobile life and asked his mom and lover to help him end it.

 

Jesus Velasquez (TRUE BLOOD, stabbed)
No character is safe in TRUE BLOOD and none hurt more than Jesus, who was stabbed to death by his boyfriend Lafayette, who was possessed by an evil spirit, at the end of season 4. 

Roman Wild (ALLES WAS ZAEHLT, brain tumor)
After spending years as one half of the gay couple that was ultimately responsible for getting TGoDT started, Dennis Grabosch decided to call it quits and move on. Roman Wild's dramatic death on ice in the arms of his boyfriend was written upon Dennis's request- he wanted no backdoor for his return.

Wow...
There were so many scenes.
In the original blog, there are more episodes. I only chose my favourite scenes.

From Zachary Quinto Official Website

[Source]

10.16.11. nyc...

By zachary quinto on October 16, 2011 8:26 AM 

when i found out that jamey rodemeyer killed himself - i felt deeply troubled.  but when i found out that jamey rodemeyer had made an it gets better video only months before taking his own life - i felt indescribable despair.  i also made an it gets better video last year - in the wake of the senseless and tragic gay teen suicides that were sweeping the nation at the time.  but in light of jamey's death - it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it - is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.  our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country.  gay kids need to stop killing themselves because they are made to feel worthless by cruel and relentless bullying.  parents need to teach their children principles of respect and acceptance.  we are witnessing an enormous shift of collective consciousness throughout the world.  we are at the precipice of great transformation within our culture and government.  i believe in the power of intention to change the landscape of our society - and it is my intention to live an authentic life of compassion and integrity and action.  jamey rodemeyer's life changed mine.  and while his death only makes me wish that i had done this sooner - i am eternally grateful to him for being the catalyst for change within me.  now i can only hope to serve as the same catalyst for even one other person in this world.  that - i believe - is all that we can ask of ourselves and of each other.

zq.

An article from The Autistic Journalist (blog)

[Article from a blog, The Autistic Journalist]

Alpha and Omega

Photo by Justin Stephens, Syfy

Before I analyze my next story, I want to inform you that this blog is a finalist for Twin Cities CBS affiliate WCCO’s Most Valuable Blogger competition in the health/fitness/medical category. Click here to view all the entries in the category. Voters can select their favorite blog in each category once per day. The winner receives a $50 Amazon gift card.

Speaking of value, Jean Winegardner of The Washington Times explores the usefulness of an autistic character on Syfy’s new series, Alphas. The series focuses on people whose neurological anomalies give them special powers while simultaneously dealing deficits and difficulties brought on by their differences. One of the five main characters, Gary Bell, is a high-functioning autistic adult who can read a wide range of electromagnetic frequencies, including television, radio and cell phone signals.

Actor Ryan Cartwright, who portrays Bell, enjoys the complexity of the character that he believes extends beyond the autism diagnosis. Naturally, Gary makes little eye contact, his speech patterns are stilted and echolalic, he relies on rules learned by rote and carries a strict adherence to routines. All are common traits of autism spectrum disorder. However, the kicker is Gary’s sense of humor, giving him an extra personality to challenge mainstream notions that autistic people are humorless (an idea promoted in the days of Rain Man).

Much detail and care was included in the science portion of the science fiction show. Dr. Susan Bookheimer, a faculty member of UCLA’s neuroscience program, is a consultant for Alphas who reviewed each script for the show’s inaugural season while offering on advice on aspects of Gary’s presentation and symptoms. Cartwright’s research included consulting with people who work with autistic individuals, reading books by autistic authors Temple Grandin and Daniel Tammet along with blog sites created by autistic people (I wonder if he came across this one :-p) and watching documentaries on the subject. Cartwright credits this research for helping him understand the reasoning behind the attributes and difficulties of autistic people to create and not imitate the physicality of Gary. Cartwright’s biggest goal? Playing the person and not the disorder

With the story part reporting and part editorial, Winegarden expresses approval for the show introducing a complex character with autism as opposed to stereotypical characters that permeated mainstream media in the early days of autism exposure. Bookheimer concurs, as the show seeks to examine themes of neurodiversity as the topic itself becomes more embroiled in public dissemination.

Science fiction itself has always opened doors to addressing ideas and topics among current events that could never be extrapolated by media set in the present because of raw, impulsive emotional responses from segments of the viewing audience. Star Trek and its spin-offs before the 2009 reboot contained many allegories among its episodes and races, including Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, with a 23rd century version of Chernobyl and the end of the Soviet Union. Alphas may not be as futuristic, but the science fiction elements of neurological conditions leading to superhuman powers does communicate to viewers that disabled people aren’t so simplistic in real life. Several examples of autism in mainstream media used to place autistic individuals as “out there,” separated from the public domain. Recent portrayals, including a young boy with Asperger’s on the second version of NBC’s Parenthood and now Alphas, approach the condition with a mission to deconstruct what the public erected years ago about the condition.

Credit must also be given for Winegardner’s approach to the story. There are few indications of the article presenting itself as a column until the end of the story, when Winegardner analyzes the character of Gary Bell and the effort from Cartwright and the show’s production staff. While I doubt anyone would be critical of a column praising a television show for avoiding stereotypes, columns and editorials can sometimes fall into traps created by the writers (or pundits on television shows), where the writer eschews fact and reasoning for an egotistical nature. Winegardner’s structure is very similar to what a straight-up reporter would write, and prefaces her sense of encouragement with a behind-the-scenes look for a rookie series seeking to establish itself in the Syfy lineup, using both the actor and a consultant whose expertise is the science of the brain as sources for her analysis.

While an opinion is more blatantly expressed, opinion articles sometimes employ the tactics of more neutral stories that make up the front page of newspapers, as such work can carry the same effect in both instances. Thanks to Winegardner’s interviewing, she doesn’t have to rely solely on her own word even in a news environment where someone’s word is sometimes given more credence than traditional reporting. A positive side effect is the illustration of commitment from Alphas to accurate portrayals within its neuroscience surroundings.

As with any art form, television isn’t immune to subjectivity from the viewing audience, critics and advertisers, but even if Alphas joins the long list of “one-and-done” programs, expect future shows that tackle neurodiversity to draw inspiration from the latest work of science fiction.

Written by TheSportsBrain
August 18, 2011 at 9:47 pm

A blog from The Gays Of Daytime

I'd like to put a blog from The Gays Of Daytime. The original blog is here.

"Danny finds it hard to kiss a boy = Danny Miller is the biggest homophobic bastard asshole who ever roamed this planet and how dare he say this, as a professional actor?"

Much has been made out of a quote from an interview Gay Times had with Danny Miller and Marc Silcock. And as is done so very often, this quote was repeated - including on this website - without providing proper context.

So, we're filling in the holes for you:

Directly from the magazine:
[Opening paragraph]: "It was never going to be easy. You're young actors, playing what you hope will be perceived as a hard-hitting but realistic interpretation of gay life in a Yorkshire village. Then suddenly you've got people getting a little bit obsessed with you, or worse, shouting abuse. So a little trepidation is understandable as Danny Miller and Marc Silcock undertake their first photoshoot together. [...] As well as appearing on the cover of Britain's longest running gay mag - a big enough deal for two straight lads- they're getting ready to shoot their first proper kiss the following day."

What's the reaction been from the public? I heard you'd had people shouting at you?
Danny: You do obviously unfortunately, being in a soap, get the people who can't separate the soap from real life. You have had unfortunate homophobic comments, and that is quite sad because you think from a heterosexual's point of view, "What does it matter to you, if I was gay in real life? What's it got to do with you, it's none of your business." And I think it's given me more perspective to understand how gay men and gay women feel when that kind of thing is shouted at them. But other than that - that's the negative stuff - it's been really positive and everyone's been singing the praises of the storyline.

I know that you're doing a scene tomorrow where you two get together. Is that difficult, given that you both have girlfriends in real life?
D: I don't.

And now comes THE question that led to what has been perceived as a controversial answer from Danny, who is 19- and even though not new to acting, certainly new to the high-profile, on-the-cover-of-a-magazine, take-your-shirt-off-hottie media frenzy that's been going on since the storyline started on EMMERDALE:
How do you prepare for a scene like that? Personally, and not meaning any offence, I wouldn't want to kiss a girl so it must be slightly difficult to have to do something like that? (Editor: You would call me crazy if I went on a big rant now, calling the interviewer misogynistic, wouldn't you? And you'd be right. So what exactly is wrong with the responses that now follow?)
Danny: Yeah, it is, obviously. it's difficult because you're kissing the same sex and you know, you're not attracted to them, you're not a homosexual and you're not attracted to them in that way. So it is hard, yeah, but you realise it's not real, so, it's all for TV and you've got to get on with it.
Marc: For the first time we just had a chat about it. And we had a chat about tomorrow as well. It's just a case, like Danny was saying, it is difficult to kiss a member of the same sex because you're not attracted to them. But you know, it's got to be done. But the only way we can do it is the way we find most comfortable. So the only way of doing that is to sit down and have a chat and just try and make it look as real as possible, we don't want it to just look like it's two straight blokes kissing each other. We want to make it look like it's as real as possible, whilst getting over the difficulties that there are involved in it.


After talking about having their pictures taken involuntarily by people just walking up with their mobile phones (ANNOYING and IRRITATING - they're both human beings, just ASK them), the interview then trails off to have Danny talk at great length about his love for Cheryl Cole (professed before in other interviews) and giving nothing away about what will happen to the characters, minus that their personalities won't change.

See? Much ado about, ultimately, nothing.

I would like to thank to The Gay of Daytime.
When I read some negative reactions to Digital Spy article, I felt sorry for them. They are young and new actors. Let them be themselves.
I think the difficulties are same as actors play roles that they are very different form themselves, but I agree with a point of view that some people pointed out. Most of time, interviewers don't ask gay actors about kissing girls but they do ask straight actors about kissing boys.