原文地址：http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=140713037&blogID=357533876

Thursday, February 14, 2008 

London Feb 3rd ‘Side 2 Tour’

Originally posted in the members area of Darrens Official Fanclub 'Delicacy' Feb 4th 2008.

My thoughts on tonight are jumbled so let me share them with you. In no particular order..
It's a challenging set list.

Vocally, verbally (yikes lyrics!) and of course emotionally.

Now that you are all aware of the songs performed I can discuss in more detail why it was challenging.

First of all there is no drummer.

Which was intentional – to make the shows be less about rocking out and more about voice and song choices and to showcase the material off the new album which is heavily influenced by Justin and I sitting in a room together. I wanted the show to feel a bit like coming round to listen to us do some songs rather than a 'show'.

But having no drummer makes the music feel more, I don't know, intellectual?

Like you want to 'listen' rather than rock out.

As a performer, the pleaser, the part of me that wants to make sure everyone is having a good time – is aware that it would be easier to just do a more traditional gig.

Doing a more obscure set list is a delicate balance to pull off – because instinct makes you want to reach for the 'gun' so to speak.

And by 'gun' I mean HIT SONGS.

This is the first time I've toured with such an obscure set list.

A fan's dream, I would hope.

But not necessarily a casual listener's favourite material I would imagine.

Thoughts of that Prince gig I saw once where he only played experimental Jazz come to mind!

But that being said, it was called the Side 2 Tour for a reason. To suggest album tracks, b sides, rarer things. So on that front I'd hope that we delivered.

But it was interesting because I could feel all 3 of us actually coming to grips with it on stage. Thinking, quite literally, 'ohhh so THIS is a different way of moving..'.

We're so used to having the power of, say, a big production. Or the ease of throwing in something like 'Carry on Amadeus' or 'The Best Thing' as an instant crowd pleaser.

Tonight it was realizing that, no, this is something altogether different.

A point of difference to the Time Machine Tour.

It could only be played to a crowd who have seen a lot of what I do and would appreciate the dusted off treasures.

Be interesting to see how this unfolds.. ;)

I will say, I just read what Cat had to say in her post about the cold shivers. And I feel the same way to be honest. There's something heavy about this set list. And though it would be more entertaining in some ways not to be heavy – I kind of like it. In many ways as a show it reminds me of what 'The Tension and The Spark' was as an album. A bit uncomfortable but utterly pivotal.

Xx