A few years ago, when I heard that Crowded House had reformed and was embarking on a nationwide tour of the motherland, I jumped for joy. The band that crafted some of the catchiest songs to grace the airwaves and further spark a rivalry of ownership between Aotearoa and Australia like a political pavlova was back. Their stagecraft, chemistry, clever writing, and humour had been missed, but now a few years in, with the release of 2021's Dreamers Are Waiting and, most recently, Gravity Stairs, Crowded House is back in full swing, and clearly loving the game as much as ever. 

The show in 2021 would introduce myself, and likely many others, to an incredible opening act in Reb Fountain. Similarly, last night's warm-up came through the bewitching indie-folk works of Mel Parsons as she played to a basically full TSB Arena. She stated that this was a real "pinch me" moment to open for one of her favourite artists as she put her best foot forward and drifted tracks to us that sounded both remarkably uplifting and melancholy. 

As the speakers blared David Bowie's Five Years, blasting the crowd into submission, I was taken back to how the last gig finished in the same venue, with a cover of Heroes, and I was immediately returned to the magic of the first time, having picked up where we left off. The band shift onto the stage, swinging lanterns to sit on their mic stands and illuminate some faces that are very clearly happy to be here. 

A vivacious performance of When You Come sets the energy for the night, with Liam Finn delivering a gut-punching guitar solo that sends his father running to his side, beaming.

World Where You Live and Teenage Summer keep the seats warm for the poignant classic, Fall At Your Feet with a crowd singing along so lively, Neil couldn't help but request another round of one of the greatest bridges ever written from us. 

Oh Hi, Black and White Boy, and the excellent To The Island present us with a reel of performances that show that the new and the old very much belong side-by-side. In the dorky, dry, but hysterical banter between the band, it's clear to see that they really just say anything that comes into their heads, and the chances are that it will be full of wit, and the other members can riff off of it. Speaking of, I bore witness to my first ever in-concert tutorial of a guitarists pedalboard with Liam running us through his various apparatus and delivering a side-splitting rendition of Deee-Lite's Groove In the Heart and Hot Chocolate's You Sexy Thing. 

A surprise performance of Split Enz' Message To My Girl was a real highlight and did well to underscore the incredible shape that Neil's voice is in even after all these years. Fingers of Love and the brilliant Private Universe further accentuate just how tight the harmonies in this half-family band are. Elroy Finn descended from the drumkit to add further acoustic guitars and vocals to Thirsty and the crowd favourite, Four Seasons In One Day. 

After the GA standing of the last gig provided the crowd with the necessary opportunity to move on their feet, I was disappointed to see that this time was entirely seated. With the vibrance that the band presents in all of their shows, jumping around to all corners of the stage, I found myself descending into an irksome territory over the decline of arena shows, the huge jump in fees for worse experiences. Crowded House, however, have brought me back from the brink. With the audience request of Mean to Me a domino effect of song changeups was initiated. People flocked from around the arena to the front, climbing over chairs to get front and centre to Aotearoa's rock royalty. The energy was electric as the crowd were freed from their seats, showing me that sometimes, the most lively energy comes from having to fight for it!

The screeching and heavy Locked Out kept things moving for the show's final stretch. As it would turn out, the re-jigging and apparent fluid improvisation of the setlist was the right move as it ensured a final suite of banger after banger: Something So Strong, Weather With You, Distant Sun (my personal favourite), The Howl (showcasing just how incredible Liam is as a vocalist as well as lead guitarist), Don't Dream It's Over, and finally, the obligatory singalong of Better Be Home Soon. 

By the end of it, even the most hesitant of audience members were out of their seats, and that's a testament to just how much of an effect this band has on our country. The Finn's are like royalty to us, and rightfully so. From Neil and Tim bringing NZ music further into the international mainstream, to spawning offspring that would take their name further (as well as Neil serving as the guitarist for an up-and-coming band called Fleetwood Mac), their works are timeless, and are proof of what dedication, discipline, and passion can do to bring epic and unforgettable songs into the world. It's more than just a band, it's a family affair.

Photo Credit: Stella Gardiner Photography
Crowded House Photo Gallery
Mel Parsons Photo Gallery

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