I remember sitting at home in Victoria in 1996 watching the Farewell To The World concert and thinking how lucky everyone who was there was getting to witness this event. I guess for me that became Crowded House’s venue, the one I had to one day see them at, and tonight after 28 years I get the chance to see it.
Here we go!! I’m immediately in heaven. They’ve just opened with what they did at this venue in 96 for the above mentioned concert, it’s ‘Mean To Me’ and I’m stoked and being able to yell the “what d’ya know” part back to the stage was a dream moment. Neil Finn’s voice is pristine and what a way to open a show. After an introduction they head into ‘World Where You Live’ and this six piece make this sound so full. Some fun banter reminiscing about the shows back in 96 and we head into ‘Teenage Summer’ and what a song, if there’s one thing this band knows how to do it’s write a great song and this is definitely one of them. Speaking of amazing songs we jump back many a year to one of my favourites ‘Fall At Your Feet’ a song with easily one of the best middle 8’s of all time. And with a crowd sing along at the end, that was awesome. Oh man a great selection with ‘Pineapple Head’ and these songs I grew up with are just magical to hear live. Then we jump back to the band’s latest album Gravity Stairs with ‘Oh Hi’ and it fits in well with the set.
Yes! ‘When You Come’ and again, these songs are part of my growing up and they’re still played perfectly and the Neil Finn songwriting masterclass is in full effect tonight that’s for sure. They belt it out to finish and that was awesome. We head ‘To The Island’ and Neil and Liam rockin’ the outro was a treat. Liam takes lead vocals on ‘The Howl’ and this one is catchy. I’m digging it, I really need to give the newest album a better run. Neil takes to the piano and with some impromptu ‘Love Is In The Air’ before ‘Either Side of The World’ and showcasing some great work on the keys. ‘Night Song’ keeps the tempo down but as it plays out it blends into the Split Enz classic ‘Message To My Girl’ and what a choice. Hearing these songs and especially one I didn’t expect makes it a treat. To their newest release ‘The Other’ and while these songs are great this one gets stopped for a bit of a medical emergency and after a thumbs up they get back to the set with ‘Fingers of Love’ and then as Neil starts ‘Private Universe’ the band join him to fill this one out. With an almost psychedelic finish the band are as tight as you’d want and this is a groove.
Some more fun banter leads into ‘All That I Can Ever Own’ and the harmonies in this one are amazing. Ok here we go, time for one we all know “Four Seasons in One Day’ and it reminds me of living in Victoria, but when it hits that groove it’s locked in. Dedicating ‘Weather With You’ to Paul Hester is a special moment and the harmonies once again with Neil and Liam are actual perfection, you wonder if they give that one just a little bit more gusto just for Paul. Throwing in some Hot Chocolate for good measure and closing out the track bringing it back around. These Crowded House hits are the product of my growing up and to be able to hear them live is such a treat. Nick decides to throw in some ‘Born To Be Alive’ and sure why not some ‘Groove Is In The Heart’ for good measure, things that were definitely not on my Crowded House bingo card tonight.
‘Chocolate Cake’ is up and the perfect live song it is, and plenty of crowd participation in this one for sure. Although looking at the clock I think we’re getting to the pointy end of the set as I feel like the hits are coming. And as soon as I type that Neil hits the opening to ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ and a sea of phones all come out for this one. This may just be one of the best lyrical songs of all time in my opinion and hearing it live it takes on a whole different feel. What an amazing song. I could go now and be happy but I won’t I guess… the guitar tone on this is magic. ‘Distant Sun’ keeps that songwriting masterclass going and everyone here is happy. The fake out break before the encore is always a classic, and back with another Split Enz classic in ‘I Got You’ and the crowd took over and what a song. ‘Something So Strong’ is next and these songs just make you happy, there’s no way that they can’t, 80’s Crowded House was and still is a vibe. This one truly takes me back. ‘Locked Out’ gets the sped-up version and we’re getting very close to the 10pm curfew, so I wonder if that little half step faster was on purpose. Of course the only way they could close the set is with the all-time classic ‘Better Be Home Soon’ and you can’t not love this song, it’s impossible. with the clock hitting 10pm and curfew in place the crowd finishes the song as they laid their instruments down. An absolutely amazing way to finish the show
I can’t tell you how good this band is, Crowded House is a truly band you need to see live, trust me. With a large catalogue, it’s well worth delving into it as you’ll find some gold. There was plenty tonight I wasn’t 100% familiar with, but I will be very soon. Bucket list item ticked off, Crowded House at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, just wow.
Essential Information
Venue: Sydney Opera House Forecourt – Sydney
Date: December 4, 2024
Website: www.crowdedhouse.com
Set list:
Mean To Me
World Where You Live
Teenage Summer
Fall At Your Feet
Pineapple Head
Oh Hi
When You Come
To The Island
The Howl
Either Side Of The World
Night Song
Message To My Girl (Split Enz Cover)
The Other (Elroy Cover)
Fingers Of Love
Private Universe
All That I Can Ever Own
Four Seasons In One Day
Weather With You
Chocolate Cake
Don’t Dream It’s Over
Distant Sun
I Got You
Something So Strong
Locked Out
Better Be Home Soon
