a packed house for garden

from the cairns post, friday, january 30th, 1998

after an electrical storm knocked out power to the cairns convention centre during rehearsals, and threatened to go out again at any moment during last night's savage garden concert, that the show went on at all was quite a feat.

the show was a triumph for the brisbane duo who swept last year's aria awards and currently have a number one single in the us from their self-titled debut album.

dressed in sanvero-designed costumes darren hayes and daniel jones swept through their catalogue of hits, and a couple of surprises, including a brave acoustic set.

while hayes strutted the impressive stage puting and striding in his best hutchence-esque manner, jones played the sheet anchor role, both obviously keen to dispel talk they could never repeat the magic of their songs live.

the show, which involved a massive cityscape backdrop and truckloads of light, staging and sound effects, ranks with the best staged in the city in recent times. cairns is blessed in having an indoor concert venue such as the convention centre. more so, considering the torrential rain which fell around 10pm.

savage garden are very talented, and very smart, having assembled a technical crew with experience on international acts like inxs.

their backup band last night likewise showed their mettle.

if every show on this tour proves as near-flawless (a minor technical problem during the second number), they will be the talk of the industry by the time they play their sell-out capital city dates.