Big Night In Tour Stories

My Big Nights In -- London and Ipswich England - April 26 & 27 2006

****Day 2**** London - The Big Night In

It took a bit of time but i managed to get to the tube then to Kings Cross to meet up with another fan but i couldn't find her at all (sorry about that miffy *hugs*) then i decided to get the tube to Hammersmith. During this time there was a "Security Alert" grrrrrrr that closed a few tube stations for some time. Eventually after taking a few buses and walking a bit, I got to a tube station that got me to Hammersmith. One thing that suprised me in the train station near the Apollo is that that you had to pay 30p to use the loo ... but if you gotta go *lol* and the loos were clean and not messy at all. I managed to get to the Apollo and met up with ALOT of fans from all over, and got lots of hugs & took lots of pictures. One of the Dutch fans spotted a large black bus coming near the venue, and he thought it was Darren's bus, and we got out of the way for the bus to pull in then after it got in, some barriers were placed up. A small group of us made it over to the barriers and Darren came over for a bit to shake hands & speak to us for a short bit. I was less than a foot away, and my hands were shaking bad. I know i've met him before several times & i can't explain why that happened!!! After that, Darren had to leave, then more and more people showed then Tracey & Ema did the vip & soundcheck pass check-in's. Then we had to wait then VIPs and Soundcheckers were let in. Darren was in a very good mood, and made us giggle and stuff then he did a bit of chained to you then after that we had to go. Soundcheckers went back outside then VIP people stayed in. I do gotta thank Ashwin for sharing part of his chips with me too as I hadn't had a proper meal since the morning and couldnt decide what to eat once i got to the venue area. I managed to get a better seat by trading in my row O ticket for a row G in stalls ticket (thank you to the person who made that possible - i cant remember your name sorry). Sometime around 6:30pm or so we were let into the venue, and i got a drink, and mingled a bit with a few friends before going into the venue part itself.

**Day 2 London - The concert - London Hammersmith Apollo**

Shelly Poole and Astrid Williamson were the opening acts. Both ladies were good, and I especially loved Astrid's Snow Patrol cover song she did as her last song.
Several people had warned me Darren didn't enter from the stage but comes in from the back. Then the music started and so did the cheering, and i got a good glimpse of Darren coming down the aisles hugging and acknowledging us then he got on stage with this gorgeous red smoking jacket then he took it off to show off a gorgeous dark suit then he went into singing Affirmation after that.

**Set List (don't recall all and correct order)**
Old Stuff/New Stuff ???
Affirmation
Chained To You
The Lover After Me
To The Moon and Back
Strange Relationship
Creeping up on you
I just want you to love me
Darkness
Unlovable
Void
Crash and Burn
Truly Madly Deeply
Break Me Shake Me / Head like a Hole
I Knew I Loved You
I Want You / Tears Of Pearls mix thing
So Beautiful

Personal highlight for me for the show -- Darren was going to do some experimental thing with his voice during IKILY but it wasnt working out, so he did the song without musical background... it was AMAZING.... to say the least!!!!
I loved his sense of humor during the show, and the way he interacts with us too... and i loved his outfits too.
This show was my first solo full length show and it was so worth the wait!!

After the show, I was lucky enough to meet Anna Maria Laspina, and got her autograph & some pics with her. Plus i met up with a few other fans before getting a lift back to my hotel from Sue (Darrenssoulmate2) -- thank you so much Sue for your kindness.

**Day 4 ** Ipswich Regent VIP **

I knew this day was gonna be even better as i knew i was going to have a great seat and even better views & pics too!!
I got the train from London Liverpool street to Ipswich, and it was a bit late but thats ok. I was trying to figure out a way from the train station to the venue when I saw Maggz and Ema outside the station too. They had been on the same train as me, and i had no idea! They were kind enough to share a taxi ride to the Regent **thank you ladies for your kindness** Then i went with them as they got a few things in town then they had to go back to the Regent, then i seen Izzy and Betty (bar) in town, and went with them for lunch & shopping before heading over to the regent where we saw alot of fans of the course of several hours. Then Tracey and Ema came out to do the vip & soundcheck check in, and not long after that, VIP-ers & soundcheckers got to attend the soundcheck. Darren was in a great mood, and mentioned something about f*ck*ng up or something in London and after the soundcheck thing, the vip people stayed for the reception and soundcheckers got to go back outside. The VIP reception was very nice and we got our vip gifts plus our ticket. I even got a chance to get my pic taken with Tracey and also with Ema too. Eventually i made my way downstairs to the foyer where people were being admitted and making their way in. Many people recognized me (i didn't realize how many people knew me by my face alone LOL) - sorry i didnt chat for long as i needed to get a few programmes for friends back home plus i wanted a tee shirt for myself too. I was quite suprised to find out how much of a great view i had 3rd row center. I had a promise to keep to my angelic friends "Camera slippage" hehe. After Astrid Williamson's set, i met a few more fans then made my way back to my seat for the show itself.
Then the music started and so did the cheering, and i got a verrrrrrrrry good glimpse of Darren coming down the aisles hugging and acknowledging us then he got on stage with this gorgeous red smoking jacket then he took it off to show off a gorgeous dark suit then he went into singing "Affirmation" after that.

Personal highlight for me for the show - i brought a small sign i made that said Darren I love you more than chocolate. I was waiting for the right time to show it in hopes of Darren noticing it. I raised during TMD, and he made a gesture & pointed to me a bit and smiled at me and gave me a bit of a cheeky look (which i hope someone managed to capture).... it was PRICELESS!!!! I had a very huge smile on my face from that point on.