Hi Everyone,

We are in Perth at the moment and it is the afternoon of the first show here.

The tour started in Cairns on the 29th April and was an absolutely fabulous first night. It was so weird, both Darren and Daniel were so unstressed about the show. They did not have enough time to rehearse nearly as long as they needed to, but we were all sure that they could pull it off with the rehearsal that they did have. We all tried to get Cairns early to do a spot of snorkelling, but unfortunately, the cyclonic weather did not let up the whole time we were there. This was probably a lucky break as it put an end to the possibility of one of the band members being taken by a stray shark! (I do think you always have to worry about these things... it's difficult to enjoy yourself out on a reef without the fear of some unwanted creature coming along and ruining your day!)

So, we went down to the Convention Centre early and basically hung out waiting for the show to start. Daniel was particularly relaxed and showed off his hoola hoop skills to the documentary crew that are following the band around. Oh... just to let you know... there is a documentary crew following them around because they will be releasing one internationally about the Australian tour around June sometime, so have a listen out for it. It will be aired on television and will be available to buy on video and DVD (with all the extra DVD bits that we all love to get).

I was so excited at the start of the show and ran out the front to see them arrive on stage. The set that Bruce Ramos and Willie Williams designed is amazing. Darren and Daniel enter together in front of a huge SG sign and the energy of the crowd was awesome. It really does feed back to the band and whenever the crowd love it, the guys onstage just get into it even more and everybody has a great gig.

Highlights of the concert (for me at least) are the acoustic set, which every night just gets more and more beautiful. They have managed to integrate all of the favourite piano ballads into a long medley, which is topped off by John Lennon's IMAGINE. It's fantastic to see Darren turn the microphone to the audience and to hear everyone singing the lyrics together... it's just beautiful.

Another highlight are the two dance numbers. Angie and Darren perform a shadow dance to 'Gunning Down Romance' and then in the encore, both Angie and Elisa join Darren to perform a bit of a Las Vegas/Disco/Elvis number to 'Chained To You.' This performance is all done tongue and cheek and I know that Darren is really enjoying hamming it up for the audience.

I have put up quite a few concert photos for you, so for those of you that are yet to experience it... here is your chance to see a little bit of the action. I've also put up an mpeg of Darren and the girls dancing to 'Chained To You'... it's quick... but you'll get the idea. I'm going to put some more up for you on the next update.

The guys have been receiving great reviews from all of the shows, but I have to tell you, they went off at the Adelaide concert. Everyone was just having so much fun onstage and I really think that translated to you guys out there in the audience. It was also one of the few nights that we all got together for a bit of a party at the end of it. When you are touring, unless you are from the old school of rock and roll, it is hard to focus on anything except the show. Darren is usually very careful with his voice, so he needs to be FORCED to get out and enjoy himself, but we did manage to get some photos of him just chilling out and having fun with some of the band and crew.

Daniel is even more low key and we usually haven't seen too much of him except at the show. Although... when we went to Melbourne for the Logie awards, he really let his hair down and stayed at the party (which was extremely fun). He has actually go all of his songwriting equipment on the road with him and has it set up in his dressing room every night. Whenever I go in there for a chat, he is busily working on new songs. He is definitely utilising his downtime before the shows to get some work done, and with Darren taking on all the media duties, it has freed him up to work on what he loves to do best.

I haven't told you about the new backing singer yet... but I shall do so now! Her name is Elisa Fiorillo and she has been singing since she was five. She is from America and is such a talent. She has released an album of her own, a few years back and sang with Prince (or at least, the artist formerly known as!) on a couple of his albums. She is a welcome addition to the team.

Perth is beautiful and it is the first time we have seen any sunshine... at this point we have been on the 'Raining Tour Of Australia' and I can't help but think it is following us around, as the locals have just informed us that it is due to rain tomorrow!! I can't believe it!!!

Darren and Daniel have been getting a chance to meet a lot of their Australian fans, which has been very nice for them. It is always a little strange for them to be working in Australia as they get recognised so much wherever they go, but I have to say, everyone has been exceedingly polite and sweet and always ask first to take a photo as opposed to just snapping away! Mind you, this is true of Savage Garden fans all over the world, you all seem to be a pretty polite bunch of people! No craziness here!!!!

After the Perth show on Sunday night, we have got two days off... which is fantastic. It's so strange that everyone gets so excited about a day off, but they are generally few and far between, so when there are two FULL days, we like to make the most of it. As most of you would know, it is Darren's birthday on Monday, and we will be celebrating it in Perth. He has no idea what we have planned for him, but I guarantee you, he will love it and I will be posting some photos for you about the day next week. At this stage I can't even take a phone call without him thinking that it is about his birthday!!

From Perth we fly to Canberra, then Sydney, then up to Brisbane and we will be finishing the Australian leg of the tour in Tasmania. It is just flying by and before you know it we will be heading off to the States and two months on a tour bus, which should prove very interesting!!

For those of you that are in the USA, don't forget about the two radio shows that the band will be performing in New York and Boston. I'll get you more details of that when they come to hand.

I'll write again after Darren's birthday and give you the dirt on that.....

See you all soon!
Leonie