My big insight from this gig was how much I have taken Crowded House for granted these past few decades. It’s a point made repeatedly through the set as Neil Finn and co. effortlessly rattle off a string of melodic gems, including the magic dozen or so that absolutely everybody knows. He also threw in the two best Split Enz songs, just to remind us that the remarkable Crowded House debut didn’t come out of nowhere.
The evening didn’t start perfectly. This was part of a popup tour in a quite small venue, and part of the shtick was that they acted as their own backing band playing a stripped down acoustic set of mostly obscure album tracks, all delivered exquisitely. It was a pretty downbeat start, and being an all-ages gig the audience response was muted for all but the two well-known songs. I had left for work at 5:30 that morning and met my family at the gig, so was initially delighted that things might finish early without the supporting band shenanigans. However, it wasn’t to be, and the complete stage strip down and set up for the main set took almost an hour meaning I’d been on my feet for several hours before the gig proper started. Lady Podicle did her usual trick of falling asleep on her feet between sets. For a mid-week all-ages gig, it was a bit of a mis-step.
All this was blown away, of course, as soon as the band started playing. Neil Finn is an extraordinary performer, with an effortless voice completely untarnished by the years. His son Liam provides sublime backing vocals and stellar guitar work, and there is very much an Everly-esque quality to their pairing. The mood is joyous, the band is having a ball and the audience responds with the most on-point vocal participation I’ve ever been part of.
The first gig I went to was Crowded House in 1986 when they had released one single, and at the same age this was my youngest son’s first gig. I absolutely flogged that first album when it came out, but I then veered off into funk, soul and more exotic pastures, absorbing the hits by osmosis but exploring little else. Seems I’ve got some listening to do.
Aren’t all gigs for all ages?
The vast majority here are 18+. It’s the first gig I’ve been to in years that is all ages.
I was a fan of Split Enz but never warmed to CH. Even a greatest hits album underwhelmed me. But I know NF is a great musician and I should like him/them.
I imagine a concert would seal the deal but they all sell out at rather high prices for that experiment.
Glad the show was a winner.
You’re not alone – including the trying the greatest hits and having been a bit of a Split Enz fan
I saw them a few years ago and although I really liked every song and enjoyed the show very much – something stops me from playing their songs for pleasure in my own time or picking up an LP and delving deeper.
Mid way through the last standing only gig I went to I vowed I’d never do it again.
I stood for 2 hours at a gig week before last (Elbow) and then another 3 hours last weekend (Jeff Tweedy), I had also done a 5km run in the morning before the latter and then driven 2.5 hrs to Montreal. My legs were completely f*cked. However my Elbow standing ticket cost me about 20 quid (discounted on Stubhub), limited seating and they were going for about 150 quid! Otherwise I think I agree with you @Twang
A standing up gig to see Elbow?
A sit-down gig to see the Necks might be more your style.
Um – I’ll get me coat then…
Seen them live a couple of times a couple of decades ago, great band, great tunes
I’m looking forward to that Split Enz box due any time now