My Savage Garden adventure

Before I start writing this I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm a Savage Garden fan from the beginning *since I've heard "I want You" on radio in 1997* ,so hope this will give you a closer image why is this whole thing important to me ...Like you probably saw already I'm from Belgrade ,Yugoslavia ...My greatest wish was to be able to go to only one Savage Garden concert in my life and I've got my wish grounded in first week of December 2000 -->I will remember this till the end of my life I'm sure ...But let's start the story from the beginning ,shall we ?

Well, ever since I've heard that SG will have European tour in autumn this year I prayed to God to make my wish come true .I knew that chances that Savage Garden will perform in Yugoslavia are 1% and less so I was just hoping that they will have concert in first near country --> Hungary .When I've received first official dates for European tour from fanzine I was disappointed ...no Yugoslavia on tour list and no Hungary :-( but good thing was -->Austria was on list and since I've met some people on Net from Vienna I said to myself "OK,so I'll go there ..." but I forgot about one small detail ...For Austria (and every other country in EU) I needed a visa ! So ,I went to embassy to see what I need to get it and once I've returned home I was crashed ! To get a visa for Austria I needed either guarantee letter from an Austrian citizen or as a proof airplane ticket which is btw . 5 times more expensive than regular return BUS ticket ...there was no way I could afford it ...

So ,when I came home I sat on my computer and wrote a message on savagefan BBS ...For those of you who lurk there on regular bases subject line was " Sorry ,Darren ,but I don't agree with you .. "It was a long message but basically what I wrote was that life doesn't always give you what you deserve and that thanks to stupid politicians I won't be able to see SG live :-(

I've got many replies and two in particular were very important for me .First one was from one girl in Vienna who offered to send me guarantee letter and second one was the message from Angi ,fellow SG fan from Munich ,Germany ...she also offered to send me guarantee letter ,plus she said I could stay at her place while I'm in Munich and that she'll give me a concert ticket as a gift Wow ! Well ,that's what I said too ,but since I was more into going to Vienna I said to myself "OK ,I'll have this one as an ace in my sleeve and we'll see what happened " .Only few days after that I've heard that Vienna concert was canceled and in the meantime I already had Angi's guarantee letter in my hands ,so I said "OK, let's give it a shot in German embassy and if it's meant for me to go and see them I'll get the visa ...if not ..oh ,well " .So ,I went to apply for visa and after 10 days I've got response -->woman who works in embassy gave me the passport and said "Have a pleasant trip !"

I was soooooooo incredibly happy !!! I don't even know how to describe the feeling I had in that moment ...In 15 days time I'd see Darren and Daniel live !My happiness couldn't be bigger ...Days were flying and before I knew it was 30th November ...the day I took of from Belgrade to unknown eq. Munich ,Germany

OK, so here I am ...all alone in BUS sitting and thinking "Am I crazy for doing this ?What am I thinking ?" I mean ,16 hours long journey in one direction just to see two Brissie guys ! Believe me it was sooooo worth it !!! Now ,if I had to travel 3 times more I know I'd do it because Savage Garden deserves it !

While I was traveling I often thought about Dan and Daren and just how exhausting for them must bee traveling almost every day ...it's not easy I'm sure !

So ,anyway ...in Friday morning ,1st December around 5 am I finally arrived to Munich .I've called Angi and soon enough she came with her husband and one of hers sons to pick me up ...So ,there we are making this face to face introduction in cold Friday morning .What can I say about A. family ?

They are the sweetest people I 've met ,I swear ! They welcomed me,total stranger, with opened arms ...and even more importantly with opened heart ! I don't think I will ever be able to repay them for everything they've done for me while I was in Germany ...and I know that they will have a special place in my heart for ever !Just like Darren and Daniel do .

Angi is 44 but she looks like 34 (you do Angi !) ,worm ,kind person ,true Savage Garden fan ...Chris ,her husband and Timo,Colin and Shona are soo kind too ...Really I can't say anything that would quite express my feelings to them .Here's a picture of them I took while I was visiting ...

We came to their place and after a nice conversation I've decided to go to rest a bit ...I mean ,after all I didn't sleep for more than 24 hours :-) I'm not gonna bore you guys with things we did and talked ,I'll just say here Savage Garden related things cause I'm sure that's the reason you're reading this in the first place !Am I right or what ? *hehe* Well ...I knew it

OK,so in Friday I've seen "HOLD ME " video for the first time in my life ...We were watching MTV Pure Music and Angi mentioned to me that they usually play Hold me between 3 - 5 pm ...Angi even prepared the tape for me to record the video if MTV plays it . So ,here I am ,sitting in the living room and enjoying watching so many music TV channels (in Yugoslavia we don't have MTV !) and suddenly I've heard familiar sound !Before I knew it I saw Darren walking down the streets on London and I knew it --> I WAS WATCHING HOLD ME FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME !!! *yay* Would you believe me if I tell you that I had smile on my face whole time during the video ...I didn't stopped smiling for a second ! For those of you who didn't had an opportunity to see this video ...it's a lost believe me ! This is definitely my new favorite Savage Garden video !!! Honestly !!!

Anyway ,I didn't record it then because Angi wasn't in the room at that particular moment and I didn't know how to do it but Angi comforted me and she said that if they don't play it again while I'm in Germany she'll record it for me .

After that Angi played a VCR tape she has with some SG performances I didn't saw and some interviews as well ... I saw few MTV interviews with Darren but I especially remember this one interview called "Jar Jar Binks " because it was soo funny ...Darren was talking about how he fell from stage in Brisbane once and after that ,next day ,someone draw on cat walk the marks where he should stand so that he doesn't fall again ...It was really funny

In Friday night we watched "The Other Sister " the movie ... Again ,for those of you who didn't had an opportunity to see it I'd strongly recommend it to you ...The movie is really beautiful and "The Animal Song" clicked perfectly with whole concept of the movie .Even thought I'm not Juliette Lewis fan I must admit she did her role perfectly and she proved that she's really talented young actress ..well ,that's my opinion anyway

So like you can see my first day in Munich was filled with SG happenings and best part was still about to happened !!!

In Saturday morning when I woke up I had a conversation with Angi about plans for that day .We agreed that we'll go to the venue in 5 pm (concert was in 9 pm ) .Originally my email friends suggested that I should go there as earlier as I can but I just couldn't ask Angi for something like that ..she done so much for me already . So ,after the breakfast and after talking with Angi ,I've made decision -->I'll make banner for the concert ! With Shona's and Colin's help banner was finished sooner then I thought it would be ...As you can see in the pic here I am in Angi's backyard rehearsing for the event ...I'm exercising how to hold my banner In case you can't see what was written ,banner said "I'VE COME ALL THE WAY FROM YUGOSLAVIA TO SEE YOU !!! "

Time ran fast ...I've spent hours in front on mirror just trying to figure out what should I do with my hair ...I already knew what will I wear ,that decision I've made while I was in Belgrade Finally ,after trying 7-8 different hair styles I decided that I will let my hair but just in case I change my mind or if the atmosphere in hall gets high I brought with me one of those things .....sorry ,can't remember the name ...that lift your hair ...you know what I mean I'm sure !

So ,I wore my blue-gray pants and my white short sleeve angora top and I also put those little shining jewels on my face ( you know ...like Jennifer Lopez had in "Waiting for tonight " video ) .When I looked in mirror I was satisfied but boy we were running soo late and all thanks to me ! What can I say ?I'm sure all of you can understand me

Even though first we planned that 6 of us will go to the concert plan was changed ,so instead of Chris and Colin one friend of Timo went to the concert with us When we came in front of the Coloseum Hall it was almost 6 pm ! I know I was the one to blame so ...and surprise ,surprise ,when we arrived there was already some 100- 200 people in line standing in front of the hall ...I was soooo disappointed !I knew there's no way that we'll manage in front rows so we decided to make one fast round around the venue ,trying to find Savage Garden BUS-es ...it was completely useful so soon we decided it was better that we stand in the cue than to wonder around ... One security finally start to let us in it was 7 pm ...Instead of pushing I was more worried will I be able to bring in the camera and banner with me inside ...My camera was in my backpack but I've hidden banner ...just in case

Fortunately security guys didn't make any trouble ...they didn't allow people to bring in bottles but everything else was fine I felt soo relieved once I've passed them ! So ,Shona and me wait for Angi to pass the security and three of us ran into hall .Since I've heard and read so many concert reviews before I went I instinctively ran to the left side but Shona ran to right part of the stage ...Angi and I looked each other and we decided that we'll follow little Shona !boy ,was it good decision or what ? WE MANAGED TO STAND IN SECOND ROW !!!!

Can you just imagine how happy I was in that moment ? I mean ,I wanted to be someplace near the stage but second row was beyond my wildest dreams ! Anyway ,while Angi and Shona went to put jackets to wardrobe I volunteer to stay and keep the place for us Timo and his friend were standing few rows behind us .

You know what people say that when you waiting for something so badly minutes look like hours ?Well ,for me they looked like years !!! Honestly !I was looking at my watch constantly and time was passing just sooo ...slow

Around 8 it was sooo hot in the hall I decided to lift my hair even before the concert and when I turned behind me I couldn't see the entrance anymore ...it was full of people ! After the concert we've heard that Munich concert was actually sold out !

Well, around 8:30 on stage came two guys and then lights went off and soon two girls came too -->It was opening act ,band S.O.A.P. .Even thought I've never heard about them before that night (neither I've heard their songs) that didn't stopped me to have fun .I've danced and to be perfectly honest I didn't thought they were bad ...I mean I read on BBS reviews from some other girls who didn't like them ...well, my opinion is that they were OK .I even took some photos of them but here's just this one ...

OK,so they sang maybe 5-6 songs and after that around 9 they've finished .I knew that we have to wait for Savage Garden at least 30 minutes and I was right .I can't describe the feeling I had in the moment when lights went off again few minutes after 9:30 . My dream was about to come true !*yay*

You know ,back home while I was watching Michael Jackson concert on tape and when I'd see all these girls get uncontence I was like "God ,they must love him a lot" and before the concert I was afraid that something like that could happened to me .Fortunately my reaction was totally opposite .I guess I didn't believed that everything that's happening is happening to me ...I couldn't believe that I'm under the same roof with Savage Garden .

What can I say ?The moment I saw Daniel and Darren coming on stage I've made this huge happy face and I was like that whole night long Gosh, I'm still smiling only to think about it .

Believe me Superstars and Cannonballs video tape is NOTHING in compare with live experience !

First song was THE BEST THING and it was really great .I'm not sure did I imagine it but I think Darren didn't sang the song the way he did it on S&C ...I'd like to hear what the rest of you guys think about it ,am I imagining or was I right ?I mean I loved the way he sang it but I thought it was different ...We had balloons in our hands and it was great ! Here's the pic Angi took while they were singing this song .......

After that BREAK ME SHAKE ME came ...incredible really Angi already asked me when will I pull my banner but I thought not yet ...I was waiting for the right moment . In the meantime while they were singing TO THE MOON AND BACK I took my camera and I manage to take some photos ...here are just some of them ...

It was THE LOVER AFTER ME when I finally pull up my banner .I put it really high so Dan could read it and suddenly he looked at it but then he made the face like he can't see it well so I turned a bit more and when he read it he just gave me this HUGE smile I will never ,ever forget !!!Then Darren came on this ,right ,part of the stage and while he sang it he read it and then he POINTED his finger to me !!!! I mean I can't be 100 % sure but I think he did ...I WAS SOOOOOOO HAPPY !!!

I mean I'm sure you guys who were there saw when he pointed his finger so ...that was me :-P

Also while there played these songs Darren said some things in German I assume "Good evening " or something ...sorry I don't know German .Also he said something what I didn't understood and that meant " IT'S FUCKING HOT IN HERE " and it was really soooo hot my back was already wet .

I must add that later on I made eye contact with Daniel 7-8 times and we smiled to each other and with Darren less but I also didn't expect much because he had to pay attention to all of the fans in whole venue ...You know *in confidence* Dan is my new found passion *haha*

When they finished with TLAM security pulled the piano in front of the stage and rest of the backing band went off the stage ,there was only Daniel and Darren .So Darren ,said that he'll take us to the journey and that's pretty dark there but we'll manage to go trough everything together .... something like that .Meaning was of course that it was the time for the slow songs .

First came my favorite one I DON'T KNOW YOU ANYMORE . Darren sang it sooooooo incredibly and if for nothing else I wanted to say thank you to him for such an incredible performance of my fav song !

He sat on the stage and he was singing ...it was soooo beautiful ...really .I thought that I will cry ,I was soo overwhelmed but I didn't .

Darren then sang SANTA MONICA ,but just one part if I remember correctly ,after that 2 BEDS AND THE COFFEE MACHINE ,and after the singing stopped and music stopped Darren said something about next song and I'm sorry I couldn't understand well what he was saying because it was really noisy and everything ...he dedicated this song to some people so if anyone can clear this for me I would be really thankful .I remember the part about "TOO THIN AND TOO FAT..."but that's about it...Of course next song was YOU CAN STILL BE FREE .

After that Darren said that next song is 20 years old and he made a comment how wonderful it would be if we could live in that kind of world ...of course song he was talking about was IMAGINE by John Lennon . When he said all this people started to scream and I also screamed but I assume I felt differently because I knew exactly what he was talking about !Funny thing happened while he was singing the song .In one moment he said "NOW, YOU SING" but we didn't know exact words so everyone just started to mumble ,Darren just laughed and he continued to sing the song

When the music stopped again Darren said "ENOUGH ABOUT THIS EMOTIONAL BULL SHIT" and suddenly lights were up again and the music started again and it was time for THE ANIMAL SONG ! Everyone danced again and it was sooo beautiful .In general I must say this AUDIENCE IN MUNICH WAS AMAZING !!!I was really proud to be there and everything .

When the first beats of HOLD ME came people in the crowed started to jump,scream and everything ,especially girls .Everyone hoped that Darren will pick the Hold me girl but he never did .Now ,I must say this and I hope you won't take it against me but I was actually kind of glad he didn't Sorry .I mean ,before the concert I didn't even wanted to be Hold me girl but in that moment I just thought "It's not fair that he pick some other girl ..."selfish ,ha?

Finally came one of the best songs CRASH & BURN and Darren did some sign language at the end and I'm sorry I didn't pay much closer attention on that part (I was looking at the Daniel at the time )

Then TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY came and everyone started to scream sooo loud it was great !Darren sang the song beautifully and I especially loved the part Ben played on acoustic guitar .When the song came to it's end Darren said "THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT " something like that and they went off the stage .I mean we knew that concert isn't finished yet but still ....

When they came up on stage again they have changed their cloths .Darren was wearing his gold suit and funny glasses and everyone else wear white .I LOVED CHAINED TO YOU performance !!! It was sooooo very funny !And I must add that I admire how they make everything looks that great ...great job Angi, Elisa and Darren !Here are the pix I took while he was singing ...I'm sure you'll love them !

After the song ended Darren put off the jacket and asked what do we think of his ridicules golden pants ?So everyone start to scream again .

I WANT YOU was next ...again amazing !

Darren dedicated I KNEW I LOVED YOU to everyone in the hall and first it was the real version and after that came the remix and I really loved the remix version !!!

After that was AFFIRMATION .I'm only sorry I couldn't take pictures because I somehow manage to loose one battery from the camera !I felt sooo stupid !However, Angi did take some so here's just one ..I love this pic -->

Like you can see Darren and girls made the heart sign with hands and audience too ,it was soooooooooooo beautiful I think that was one of the greatest moments on the concert .

During the concert Darren also sang a part of WHO LET THE DOGS OUT ,and then Madonna's MUSIC .Also , he spilled some water on the audience on the left side of the stage and then on him too ,so here's one wet shirt pic .-->

I don't remember what song was exactly but Darren sang a part really high and we started to scream and he sang again and again ...he teased the audience and it was really funny !I mean you could see on their faces that they enjoyed show really much !

Also Darren thanked to everyone for staying in all this heat ...

While TMD was playing he changed the words of the song ...he said "Beautiful Munich sky"

Also at one point he touched certain part of Elisa's body *wink* and you could tell that she didn't really expect that !(Well ,after that I've heard from one email friend that they did that on other concerts too but they've certainly fooled me Elisa is great actress )

OK, so when the concert was over we went to pick up the jackets and also we bought some souvenirs ...I bought white fitted t-shirt and a necklace and Angi bought key ring and Tour book .We spend a lot of money but I'm glad because I wanted to have something to remember from the concert .Anyway ,after we went out from the venue we tried to find buses and we did ! I saw Celeste sitting in the bus and Angi asked politely the guy who was standing in front of it could he just please go and ask is there any possible way that we get some autographs and stuff and she mention that I've come from Yugoslavia to see them but he didn't wanted to do that and I was soooooo sad :-( I mean all I wanted was that guys sign the shirt I bought but ... oh ,never mind .Finally we went home .

Angi and I talked about the concert a lot ,the we went to BBS and put a shirt post there and finally around 1:30 we went to sleep but I couldn't fell a sleep for quite a while !I think it was already 3 am when I finally manage to get some sleep .

Here's some pix I'm sure you'll enjoy ...also taken on concert that night

In Sunday morning Angi and I went site seeing ...I had my new SG shirt in bag just in case :) Actually because of girls that sell souvenirs said that guys didn't went site seeing yet two of us kind of hoped that we'll see someone from SG or band ,so Angi and I went to one square where every weekend in 11 am there is a spectacle going on ...little figures on the building dancing .It was soooo lovely and whole this part of the city was sooo beautiful ! I mean if you ever get the chance to visit Munich don't hesitate !!! YOU WON' T BE SORRY !

Whole place was decorated and you could feel Christmas atmosphere already ,truly beautiful !

Sometime around 12:15 pm I thought I saw Leonie so I told that to Angi .We tried to follow that person but finally we lost her so I honestly don't know was it her or not ... After that I thought I saw Celeste :) not sure again ...I mean ,probably it wasn't them but I guess I want to live in hope *hehe*

Around 1-1:30 we went to famous Olympia tower and it is soooo beautiful there ,you can see whole Munich from up there and if it's shining you can see mountains too .Unfortunately it was fogy so mountains I couldn't see but everything else was so amazing I didn't mind much .

I've took so many photos there but here are just two ...the other one I'm calling "Me...trying to find Savage Garden "* haha *

Anyway, when we came home again Chris made this double CD for me with some SG remixes and also he put Pavarotti and friends and Last Christmas on the CD !!! I wanted to have Last Christmas CD so badly and I just couldn't buy it in Belgrade and when he and Angi gave me the CD I was sooooooo happy !!!

Also ,Angi recorded Hold Me video and rest of the stuff I saw on tape and she also recorded The other sister for me

In Monday we went to town again and I wanted to buy some souvenirs and everything and I also bought HOLD ME single ! Originally I 've planned to buy Chained to you single but I couldn't find it so I bought this one ....

Around 8 pm my bus took off from Belgrade .I knew guys will play in Milan that night so while I was in the bus I actually imagined that I'm on concert Silly, ha ?

Well ,that's it ....my Savage Garden adventure ...I hope you didn't fell asleep by now ...and I just hope I've manage to give you just a part of atmosphere of the concert .If I did that I'm glad ..if not ...oh, well ...what can I say ? Maybe some other time ...