Finn pulls full house - Crowded House at Rod Laver Arena, 8 November 2007
Melbourne has officially welcomed back sleeping giants Crowded House after ten years of separation. The band reformed early in 2007 with the release of their new album Time On Earth, and fans everywhere have been relishing the opportunity to rediscover their music.
Crowded House took to Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Thursday 8 November with an air of expectation surrounding them, provided by one of Melbourne’s typical atmospheric crowds.
Opening the show was the eerie Together Alone track "Private Universe". It was an unexpected start, but a move that was not disagreeable to the masses. Immediately, new inclusion and former Beck drummer Matt Sherrod proved his worth with some striking work on the skins. Those who said the lineup couldn’t be the same without Paul Hester instantly lost the weight of their argument (with all due respect to the band's late, great Hessie).
This was followed up by a rousing rendition of the classic "Mean To Me", which would have had some dancing in the aisles if it weren't for a pair of hapless security guards.
The comeback hit for the group, "Don't Stop Now", received a warm reaction. It didn't seem to matter if it was the new wave fan or the oldie there for the die-hard classics, some of the new songs felt like old memories.
For many people, front man Neil Finn is the sole reason for the band's success. The amazing tones in his voice and his astonishing songwriting ability have caused us Australians to adopt the New Zealander as one of our own. The humble, modest singer was in his element on the stage, looking like the young man of years gone by, discovering fame for the first time all over again.
The Melbourne gig could have been seen by some as a homecoming. But after all the years, all the struggles and now with the multinational lineup including Americans Mark Hart and Matt Sherrod, one would have to assume that every place they visit could be perceived as a homecoming experience.
The only true Australian essence left in the band is bass player Nick Seymour. The eccentric Benalla boy looked particularly satisfied, grooving along to the tunes in his neat cream suit.
An array of new sounds were showcased with "She Called Up", "Pour Le Monde" and "Heaven That I'm Making" all put to the devoted audience, who would have been satisfied with a full run down of the latest album, which reached number one in the Australian charts earlier this year.
But even for the small hit-hungry horde of spectators, out came the likes of "Fall At Your Feet", "Weather With You" and a disco-ball-lit version of the worldwide smash "Don't Dream It's Over". Some timeless classics were a chance for Neil to rest his vocal chords as the sounds of a mass choir resonated around the stadium.
The group walked off stage to desperate screams, begging them to come back. Which of course they did. With the hugely popular songs from their self-titled debut album, "Something So Strong" and "World Where You Live" seemingly putting an end to the night, the concertgoers would have left happily at that moment. But the thing about being one of the world's biggest pop bands is that they won't stop with mere satisfaction. And it's true - there was a certain element missing.
So once again Crowded House surfaced to deliver. An emotional performance of "Four Seasons In One Day" was dedicated to the memory of former drummer Paul Hester, who took his own life in 2005. It was sung in absolute darkness as Finn requested everyone in the house sing-along to the memories.
But it was "Better Be Home Soon", one of their biggest tunes, that took the show to its big finale. It's hard to imagine a better end to one of the best shows you will ever see. They've still got it.
Crowded House are back in a big way. With the success of the Time On Earth album, and a tour that encompasses sold out stadium shows across the UK, it's hard to see them fading away anytime soon.
Set list:
- Private Universe
- Mean To Me
- Don't Stop Now
- Fall At Your Feet
- Heaven That I'm Making
- She Called Up
- Hole In The River
- When You Come
- A Sigh
- Silent House
- Don't Dream It's Over
- Pour Le Monde
- Distant Sun
- Weather With You
Encore 1:
- Locked Out
- Something So Strong
- World Where You Live
Encore 2:
- Fingers Of Love
- Four Seasons In One Day
- Better Be Home Soon
