Darren Hayes, one of the greatest singer-songwriters/performers this country has ever produced, will return to Australian stages for the first time in over a decade in January/February 2023 with his ‘Do You Remember?’ Tour – 25 Years Of Savage Garden, Solo Hits And More! This 6-city national tour will showcase Darren’s extraordinary catalogue of smash hits spanning four decades.
Darren’s ‘Do You Remember?’ Tour kicks off in Perth on Tuesday 31 January 2023 before touring Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.
Darren Hayes 2023 Australian Tour Dates
- Tuesday 31 January – Perth, RAC Arena
- Saturday 4 February – Melbourne, Sidney Myer Music Bowl
- Tuesday 7 February – Sydney, Aware Super Theatre
- Wednesday 8 February – Newcastle, Entertainment Centre
- Saturday 11 February – Brisbane, Entertainment Centre
- Sunday 12 February – Gold Coast, Convention & Exhibition Centre
“You never know how much you love something until it’s taken away from you,” Darren Hayes said. “After almost a decade out of the spotlight and all this time in lockdown, I found myself missing the electric feeling that only a live audience can bring. After 25 years in the music industry, I feel like we’ve grown up together. After all, we’ve been through, singing these songs again will feel like a family reunion. I’m beyond excited to return.”
Paul Dainty, President and CEO of TEG DAINTY, said, “What a thrill it is to announce that we are touring Darren Hayes next year! Savage Garden didn’t just dominate the Australian music landscape, they were global superstars who topped the charts worldwide and broke chart records on an international scale. Only a handful of artists achieve the kind of longevity and continued global success that Darren enjoys, both through his work with Savage Garden and his ongoing solo career. After a ten-year absence, we can’t wait to welcome this national treasure back to Australian stages and experience his outstanding catalogue of songs in a live setting.”
2022 is shaping up to be a momentous year for Darren as he celebrates 25 years since the release of Savage Garden’s chart-topping, 10x ARIA Award-winning debut self-titled album and 20 years as a solo artist. Earlier this year, Darren returned to the Australian charts with his first new solo single release in a decade: ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ – an upbeat, electro-pop dance anthem and his most personal song. Next week, fans will be gifted another taste in the form of a second single (and tour namesake), ‘Do You Remember?‘.
Just like his musical heroes George Michael and Prince, Darren has produced, arranged and composed new music entirely on his own, to be performed for the first time live on the ‘Do You Remember?’ tour.
The world-class calibre of Savage Garden’s songs is undeniable: I Want You (1996’s best-selling single by an Australian artist), To The Moon And Back, Truly Madly Deeply (1997’s best-selling single by an Australian artist, which set a record for the longest time any single in history spent in the U.S. Hot Adult Contemporary chart – 23 weeks in total!), I Knew I Loved You, Affirmation – are all songs that have soundtracked our lives and inspired future songwriters.
When you add Darren’s astounding solo output – including a string of hit singles such as Insatiable, Pop!ular, and So Beautiful – to the equation, the stats don’t lie: 30 million albums sold globally, 2x chart-topping singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, 14x ARIA Awards, 10x APRA songwriting awards, 5x Top 10 albums and 9x Top 10 singles to date.
Darren’s other early career highlights include performing O Sole Mio in concert with Luciano Pavarotti and Savage Garden’s star turn at the 2000 Sydney Olympics closing ceremony, where the duo performed the glorious Affirmation.
Over the last couple of years, Darren has also released several standalone tracks and collaborations – including I Never Cried So Much In My Whole Life (2019) with Brisbane indie band Cub Sport and Cold To Me (2021) with U.K. producer/DJ Louis La Roche (2021) – which introduced his brilliance to a whole new generation of fans.
Darren’s return to the stage is sure to remind Australian audiences that this national treasure is not only a prolific hitmaker but also a consummate performer. With a setlist honouring a quarter-century of hits, Darren will perform a mix of classic fan favourites and new solo material while also paying special tribute to the 25th anniversary of Savage Garden’s chart-topping, self-titled debut album in a pop show specifically designed to bring crowds to their feet.
The ‘Do You Remember?’ Tour production was created by U2’s legendary show director Willie Williams and will see Darren reuniting with his original touring band members from 1996.
Fans will embark on a journey from the first time they ever heard the phrase “Chica Cherry Cola” to the present day. And Darren promises to deliver the perfect mix of nostalgia and modernity, performing his songs with the emotional depth and theatricality they so richly deserve.
“Whether you bought the first Savage Garden album on cassette or you’re a diehard fan of my solo work, I want to offer an escape,” Darren says. “Come to remember, come to forget, come to fall in love.”
It’s been way too long since Darren Hayes last graced Australian stages, and he’s never been more excited to perform live, as his fabulous full self, on the ‘Do You Remember?’ Tour – 25 Years Of Savage Garden, Solo Hits And More! The healing power of live music experienced en masse – complete with singalong moments and plenty of opportunities for dancing – is undeniable. You don’t want to snooze on this joyous celebration of life and self-acceptance! Fans are encouraged to secure tickets early to avoid disappointment.
