Sauntering on stage, Darren Hayes looked more like Liam Gallager than a pop singer. Clad in jeans and a black V-neck t-shirt, he delivered a slick pop show which relied on the most important thing: the music. No fuss, no effects. And dressed liked this, it's the best piece of styling they've done on the singer/songwriter.
Hayes' voice was in strong form, collecting together solo material from Spin and reworked Savage Garden favourites.
For the most part it was romanticized a little soppy, but Hayes' material proves that pop can make you smile, remember days and give you a rush of sugar while buying into the few of those perfect relationship fantasies.
Always on for a curve ball, Hayes' set opened with Specificus, two guys and their bank of electro gear. They moved through a couple of tracks eventually sampling the singers' voice to herald the band's arrival to launch Creepin' Up On You. They returned later when the pair played backdrop for Hayes' brief MC stint.
Live, the album Spin shows off many facets and Hayes has tinkered with the song arrangements to create different moods from the slinky Dirty to the Michael Jackson feel of Heart Attack and the smooth Strange Relationship.
Hayes opted to play it sexy and the girls in the audience certainly didn't mind as they held their hands up in the air making the shape of a heart.
A six-piece band offered a versatile backdrop, dropping in orchestral flourishes and beefing up the guitar-less sound with two keyboard players. They supported Hayes in his ride from up-beat pop to romantic ballads and simple rhythmic accompaniment.
The Savage Garden hit To The Moon And Back proved its versatility by sounding complete with simply a piano and the crowd singing along. It segued into The Lover After Me, totally at home in a late night jazz bar. Later came the monster hit I Want You, while the 80s tribute Crush (1980ME) took in pieces of Madonna and Prince. Animal Song came thundering past before Truly Madly Deeply.
Hayes' melting falsetto got a work-out on Insatiable and Good Enough. Those upward vocal spirals in the latter song proved to be the show's blissful highlight while the lyrics dealt with an insecurity of "will I ever be good enough".
By the time he reached Good Enough, it became glaringly obvious that Hayes had delivered - and was certainly good enough. Yes this guy has a great voice, even if you don't like what he chooses to sing. With hands dug into the pockets of his jeans, he looked just like the boy next door playing the sensitive guy card.
Hayes' transition to solo artist seems pretty complete if he can perform to this level. Bet your money, an *NSYNCer or Backstreet Boy gone solo wouldn't make such an impact.
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