Anyone dissapointed with a CH concert?

I saw CH several times in the nineties. Although the banter between the band and the audience remains I think there was more of it in the nineties. Paper aeroplanes were always being thrown by the crowd on the stage making various requests and comments and these seem to have become less.
I think Paul Hester was a big driving force for the fun on stage in the past. I saw them at DeMontfort Hall in Leicester in 1993 and Paul climbed up on the speakers and then proceeded to walk around the entire balcony of the Hall. It was brilliant, very funny.

Just to add I have never ever been dissapointed with a concert either. All fantastic

OMG kaz h ~ I was at that concert too!! In fact, Paul walked past me and my friend, then turned back to my friend and proceeded to kiss her in front of the whole hall.....Random or what! Couldn't take her anywhere...LOL

I agree with what you said about the banter in the old days ~ they were always so unpredictable and so fantastic..but that said, I saw them at Nottingham this time, front row, and was absolutely blown away. Couldn't quite get my head around seeing them again, and can't imagine EVER being disappointed simply because I think Neil has the best voice in the world and I love their music.

I was there too!

My sister and I were on the front row of the balcony and he walked right by us which was cool, if a little scary.

I took some photos of Paul doing it, and was scared that the flash from the camera would make him fall off!! but luckily it didn't.

I've seen two shows this time around, and I haven't been disappointed at all, just grateful they are back at all... They could stand there and sing nursery rhymes all night and I wouldn't be disappointed....

Finn Lady,
Any chance you would/could share the photos with us??
Sounds awesome

quote:

They could stand there and sing nursery rhymes all night and I wouldn't be disappointed....

ha! so true.
The reason I wrote this post is because I am reading so many positive reviews and usually in life there is always one or two people that dont agree about something. Like I am trying to convert someone to CH and I showed them the BBHS from Live Earth and the amazing crowd response that I find intoxicating but the person wasn't moved at all!!
So just curious

I wasn't too into the Tempe show this year.

quote:

Originally posted by DebAsWas:
I wasn't too into the Tempe show this year.

Oh that's a pity. Is it because it wasn't like the old shows?

During the Together Alone tour I had tickets to both Cleveland and Columbus. Cleveland was a lot of fun, then during the week that passed between those shows, Paul left the band. Even though I'd found out about his departure a few days before Columbus, it was an evening of very mixed emotions for me at that show.

quote:

Originally posted by DebAsWas:
I wasn't too into the Tempe show this year.

I truly have been thrilled with every show. I was at the Tempe show too. I was in such awe that I was actually seeing Crowded House together after so many years and with the break up and all...and I loved the size of the venue because I could get up so close and rock out.
I don't remember there being more banter pre-break-up. Maybe my memory has fallen apart. I always have thought they were entertaining with their chatting.

Several people I've spoken to who went to the live shows immediately after Paul left, came away disappointed with the gigs, and not just because of Paul's absence.

I saw them in June '94 at Wembley and the performance was tired, uninspired, hardly any banter and you could tell the stress and strain had taken its toll on them.

I'm never really dissapointed at a CH concert because I know and like their music and songs and the guys always rock, no matter what the setlist is, but I find myself preferring the shows where there is more banter. It lightens the show up, makes the atmosphere more relaxed for everyone.

In Stockholm there was little or no banter, and now I consider this the least favourite show I've been to this tour. I loved it, and I'm glad I was there, but the more talk on stage the better for me between the songs that is, of course.

I'm seeing Crowded House on Sunday night at Wembley. I certainly expect I will be far from disappointed But the consensus here seems to be that people find their shows somewhat more/less enjoyable based on banter and interaction with the audience, which I find interesting. Between 2002 and 2005 I saw Neil Finn solo once in Vancouver, and Neil and Tim twice in Dublin. I never saw Crowded House back in the day (too young/not interested yet.) I loved all three Finn concerts I've seen, but I think the first time I saw Neil and Tim together, at this point, was just slightly my least favourite overall...and mainly because it somehow seemed more scripted/less relaxed/less banter than the other two shows.

I would like to say that I'm very impressed by how laid back and friendly this forum is and how non-combative people are even when they disagree. It's in contrast to forums/mailing lists I've been (and no longer am) for some bands I love. On the Police mailing list people were always moaning about how much they hated Sting (this was some years ago before the current tour, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's still ongoing!) and the U2 forum I used to poston regularly had people flying off the handle at the least little thing, flaming each other for preferring the 80s over the 90s and vice versa...etc. It's nice to have a discussion group where you can disagree but people will treat each other with respect! But I guess most people here really love most stuff touched by the Finn magic so it's not such an issue

the university student in me wants to point out the cause/effect question - does more banter make for a better show and a happier audience, or the other way round? i was at manchester and glasgow last week and there's no doubt that glasgow (a) was a better show and (b) had more banter and more interaction between band and audience, but i just wonder if the fact the audience in glasgow was more enthusiastic than in manchester improved the performance of the band... since the singalongs started so early, i would suggest that it did

so banter may make for a better show, but i think the foundations of an enthusiastic audience and a band on form create the relaxed atmosphere, rather than the other way round

...you can tell im in the middle of writing an essay...

quote:

Anyone dissapointed with a CH concert?

Yes, I am usually extremely disappointed when it's clear they aren't coming back for another encore....

Roll on Wembley & RAH!

Jim

It doesn't rest solely on the whole banter/no banter business. Sometimes the band themselves don't seem into it, or maybe they feed off the audience's reactions, which as we all know can vary hugely from city to city, and venue to to venue. Even consecutive nights in the same venue bring different audiences. Sometimes the band seem tired, other times they are totally up for it. You can usually tell prety early on.

Is it me or have the best CH shows people have seen usually been in the smaller, more intimate venues? I just think they are a 'community' band, much better heard when they can see all the faces in the audience and just connect.

Important to remember that they are often leaving families behind and are stuck thousands of miles away from home on long tours, when I guess they'd much sooner be at home. Illness, homesickness, hearing bad news, but the show has to go on. So I would always allow them the odd pedestrian performance here and there.

I think they've played really well on this tour, hats off to them for getting out there and doing it, fantastic to see thm keep going as a live band.

Never been disappointed. I agree that the best shows for me are usually the smaller venues too. Encouraging that family vibe.

quote:

Originally posted by Elisabeth:
I would like to say that I'm very impressed by how laid back and friendly this forum is and how non-combative people are even when they disagree. It's in contrast to forums/mailing lists I've been (and no longer am) for some bands I love. On the Police mailing list people were always moaning about how much they hated Sting (this was some years ago before the current tour, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's still ongoing!) and the U2 forum I used to poston regularly had people flying off the handle at the least little thing, flaming each other for preferring the 80s over the 90s and vice versa...etc. It's nice to have a discussion group where you can disagree but people will treat each other with respect! But I guess most people here really love most stuff touched by the Finn magic so it's not such an issue

going off topic a bit--that's also something i've noticed with this forum. it has something to do with the band being so down-to-earth and completely free of rockstar egos. something about that band's positive persona and character that rubs off on fans that you'd be hard pressed to find fans disappointed in their gigs, and that same magic goes all the way to their forums. i just wonder why it doesn't translate to album sales.

I'm 15, therefore have only ever been able to get to one Crowded House concert.

But I couldn't imagine EVER being dissapointed with one of their concerts...

I know next year when they have the new album and tour, I'll go again, maybe even to both concerts in Melbourne if they do 2.

Can't say I've ever been disappointed at a CH gig. They weren't at their best during the '94 arena tour but that was because they'd lost Hessie and were totally shattered emotionally and physically. I still couldn't say I was disappointed; they were still very very good, just not as good as they'd been six months earlier (with Hessie). But they were still as good as anyone else I saw that year...

Obviously, I've been disappointed with some of the song selections (really, who'd prefer A Sigh over Whispers and Moans or In The Lowlands or Into Temptation or...?) but that's their call. I've never seen them play Throw Your Arms Around Me, which is a regret (but at least gives me an excuse to keep seeing them I guess!).

So, no. I can't say I've ever been disappointed. They're a fantastic live band and they have a catalogue of amazing tunes to rival any band in the world. How could one be disappointed?

Re, the banter question: I think they perform better in small venues where they can really get into a gig with their audience. Nottingham was a good case in point. It just never really seemed appropriate to shout out because you're lost in a vast shed. At a smaller venue it's more like a family gathering where everyone is free to join in. I just think the band are more suited to that environment.

Possibly coming from a different perspective...

I saw 6 CH shows over the summer, 2 small (Auckland fan club show and NYC Artists Den show), and 4 larger (both NY Beacon Theater shows, and both Mountain Winery shows).

I really enjoyed the two small shows. In fact, the Artists Den show was one of, if not the best, show I've ever been to by anyone.

But something about the whole CH Mark II experience is just not doing it for me.

The reason I say I may be coming from a different perspective is that I wasn't a CH fan back in the day. I somehow missed them entirely. I came to Finn fandom during Neil's solo career. I bought all the old CH albums and enjoy the music tremendously. I love Time On Earth. I was very much looking forward to seeing them live.

But I found the atmosphere at the larger shows very different from that at Neil's solo shows (I saw two of them) and at the Finn Bros shows (I saw 10 (!) of them).

And CH Mark II just isn't doing it for me.

I find the banter forced, the shows too big, and I just generally didn't have a very good time at 4 of the 6 shows I went to.

I have to say that this time (my 12th of so Neil performance) I was disapointed with the set list (Whispers and Moans, Cholcalte Cake, English Tree's etc) (at least they didn't do transit Lounge)) but the banter and the atsmospehre was just outstanding and strangely it made the gig (Brighton) one the very best Neil performances I've ever seen. I'm shell shocked really becuase I was expecting to really not like it becuase of the size of the venue.

So in answer to your question , no I've never been disapointed with a CH (or Neil) perforance, maybe aspects of it (i.e lighting, set lists, crap T Shirts) but overall its always top notch and I'll always try to see Neil once on a Uk tour whatever his formation (split enz, solo, Finn Brothers, CH).

This is a very fascinating thread - the first one in a while, I think. I do think that, to some degree, how you feel about the shows depends on your frame of reference; I first saw CH in LA around 1988 (ToLM tour) and have seen them in many different settings over the years. I've also seen Neil solo, but I've never seen the Finn Bros. live. I loved the "who knows what's going to happen?" vibe when Paul was still with us; I can proudly say I've seen him naked (at the Wiltern in LA, Woodface tour). Neil solo was good, but it wasn't a band in the true sense - it felt like exactly what it was, Neil and some sidemen. Neil chatted more with the crowd than with the band. And yes, the banter now is different now - and there's actually MORE banter than before, I think, more chatting on stage. But the BAND - CH Mark II or whatever you want to call them - are better now than they've ever been, if you ask me. Tighter, more focused, more energetic, more consistent, more relaxed. I can't imagine being disappointed at the end of a CH show.

So I guess that's a "no".

quote:

Originally posted by Anselm:
It doesn't rest solely on the whole banter/no banter business. Sometimes the band themselves don't seem into it, or maybe they feed off the audience's reactions, which as we all know can vary hugely from city to city, and venue to to venue. Even consecutive nights in the same venue bring different audiences. Sometimes the band seem tired, other times they are totally up for it. You can usually tell prety early on.

Is it me or have the best CH shows people have seen usually been in the smaller, more intimate venues? I just think they are a 'community' band, much better heard when they can see all the faces in the audience and just connect.

I'd not seen CH before Friday night in Brighton. I've seen Neil several times and Neil & Tim a couple of times, but never Crowded House.

Anyway, the venue was the Brighton Centre, possibly one of the most soulless venues out there. It's like a giant school hall. But despite that, it really didn't feel like they were playing a giant school hall, it felt like they were playing a small club - and I wasn't remotely near the front so it wasn't down to that either.

There was friendly heckling and banter with the crowd, but you could just tell from the minute they came on that they were all well rested, in good spirits and up for a good time, so even though the initial reception wasn't exactly amazing (they started with Private Universe, my favourite song but not exactly an upbeat number to get the crowd going!), it didn't matter as they seemed decided that they were gonig to have a good time no matter what.

So, um, yeah.

Have I ever been disappointed? Its the only time i've ever seen them and in some ways, yes I was. The CH I saw on friday night weren't and can never be, the band I fell in love with - and I couldn't help but notice that. Still enjoyed it though, I'd probably still take that over a Neil Finn solo or Finn Brothers gig too.

- not yet. Although second time round (Brighton on Friday V Wembley '94) was infinitely better.
Can they top the Brighton show tomorrow night?!

quote:

Originally posted by BART:
- Can they top the Brighton show tomorrow night?!

I think it's safe to say that RAH will probably be the best gig of them all. You lucky people!

I've been to three gigs and haven't been disappointed. All three were different experiences.

Having seen CH back in 1993 (with Paul) and then in 1994 and 1996 without - the only show I was disappointed with was Hanover Grand, where they were supposed to have announced their split. Something wasn't quite right, which I thought was initially going with a friend instead of my usual gigging partner of my sister.

This time round, saw CH at Bristol (that can never be topped). I thought Brighton had a disappointing start with little atmosphere - I think to do with the seating etc. as someone pointed out earlier). Once people rushed to the front CH found their form, as did the audience.

Wembley was fantastic. For those going to the RAH - last concert of the tour before they go home for Xmas and summer hols....I think you're in for a treat! Wish I could afford that one too

We managed to get to the Outsider Festival in June and now Bournemouth. I think so much of how you perceive the show depends on the atmosphere. CH were the final act at the Outsider Festival and by then most of then smallish crowd had lived in tents for three days of rain, were soaked and cold but and I think its a big 'But' were standing up at the front. So its singing and dancing from the outset which generates a fantastic atmosphere which the band respond too and the whole thing becomes an incredible and emotional experience. By the time they got to Bournemouth The band had gelled and the performance was probably far superior (in fact it was out of this world) but with a completely seated audience the atmosphere was really lacking and it was not until Neil went running around the theatre in the first encore that everyone got up (and thankfully stayed up) that it got really swinging. My head tells me Bournemouth was the better concert, my heart and soul goes to Aviemore. I think for CH general admission tickets (at least for a standing section) have to be a must. Us 'know the words to every song' lot can be in joyous huddlement at the front, feed off each other and the boys can feed off us. Those who just want to sit and revel in the genius of the music can do just that without some over zealous fan (me?) bellowing in their ears.

I am not sure why all the UK venues (At least I think all) were allocated seating? I would be really interested if Peter or one of the 'close ones' for want of a better phrase could let us know how the Band feel as perhaps I am talking out of ageing derrier

no - never