NZ Tour March 2021

I suspect the first show will be filled loads of energy.  

Thanks for sharing the article @Byrds Talk to Me. I much prefer to read something instead of listening to an interview.

First, I definitely agree it's an interesting interview! Wow!

We all know Mitchell Froom was like a mentor to Neil, Nick and Paul, especially at the start. And it looks like he's taken that mentor role again. But shouldn't really be surprising - from reading Bourke's book, Mitchell definitely sounded like a person full of ideas but definitely adamant things go his way.

I'm sure Something So Strong will sound great live. Don't dream it's over I've actually preferred live versions than the studio version.

I'm delighted Nick enjoyed the 2016 concerts! Because the one that went live on TV was great.

I'm still unsure what to make of the article! It almost sounds like Nick is saying they failed in the concerts back to even the 1980s, when they had Eddie Rayner at the start as touring keyboardist. Because they didn't play the songs true to the album.

Sorry, I mention him quite a bit but poor Mark. Do you get the impression this is a put down from Nick to him? I might be wrong, I probably haven't read the article enough!

I remember Froom was very particular about certain things, such as song structure. And of course he wound up with a co-writing credit on SSS for his transformation of that song, including the rousing middle 8.

From memory he was very rigorous about genre too. He was very clear that CH is a pop-rock band and shouldn’t try to play funk, or satirical songs like Chocolate Cake.

I worry a bit that the band won’t be as spontaneous in this iteration.

The comments from Nick probably aren’t enough to gauge exactly what he’s thinking. Personally I love both Rayner and Hart on keyboards, though their styles are very different. I also love Hart’s guitar, maybe even more than the keys!

I missed the 2016 shows, even most of the TV broadcast, mostly because TBH I had major depression and anxiety at that time. Here’s to plenty of joy in 2021!

So... Anyone going to the Christchurch show tomorrow night? Some of us will be living vicariously through you 😉

@Left Hand posted:

Thanks for sharing the article @Byrds Talk to Me. I much prefer to read something instead of listening to an interview.

First, I definitely agree it's an interesting interview! Wow!

We all know Mitchell Froom was like a mentor to Neil, Nick and Paul, especially at the start. And it looks like he's taken that mentor role again. But shouldn't really be surprising - from reading Bourke's book, Mitchell definitely sounded like a person full of ideas but definitely adamant things go his way.

I'm sure Something So Strong will sound great live. Don't dream it's over I've actually preferred live versions than the studio version.

I'm delighted Nick enjoyed the 2016 concerts! Because the one that went live on TV was great.

I'm still unsure what to make of the article! It almost sounds like Nick is saying they failed in the concerts back to even the 1980s, when they had Eddie Rayner at the start as touring keyboardist. Because they didn't play the songs true to the album.

Sorry, I mention him quite a bit but poor Mark. Do you get the impression this is a put down from Nick to him? I might be wrong, I probably haven't read the article enough!

I don't think it's a put down to Mark - at least I'd like to hope not ! I mention him a lot too !

Dying to hear about Christchurch! Their TV show appearance was great , but since when did Crowded House need backing singers ?! Really hope they're not on tour . I genuinley had a dream a few months ago that when Crowded House came on stage in Glasgow , they had 3 backing singers (male to be fair - but still fairly prophetic !)  I really hope this was just for the TV show ...

@stuartjb posted:

Dying to hear about Christchurch! Their TV show appearance was great , but since when did Crowded House need backing singers ?! Really hope they're not on tour . I genuinley had a dream a few months ago that when Crowded House came on stage in Glasgow , they had 3 backing singers (male to be fair - but still fairly prophetic !)  I really hope this was just for the TV show ...

Sorry to ask, which TV show is it?

@stuartjb posted:

I don't think it's a put down to Mark - at least I'd like to hope not ! I mention him a lot too !

Also , I'm glad Nick enjoyed 2016 - no wonder as they were superb . So ... re Mark . If it ain't broke - why fix it ?!

@Byrds Talk to Me posted:

Sorry to ask, which TV show is it?

It was a NZ show called “ the Project “ ?

Backing singers were reb fountain who’s opening the shows, ej barnes (jimmy’s daughter and good mate of liam) and i think the fella might be ej’s husband (apols if im mistooken on that)... all look familiar from the choir for the out of silence sessions at roundhead... reb is also signed to the label that neil part owns.

i too would be hoping for no backing singers at a crowdies gig.

> brings on producer of first three albums

> plays most songs from fourth album

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist...zealand-b805df2.html

So...any initial impressions of "Playing with Fire?"

mattl

From clips on Instagram...

no backing vocalists, but there is a percussionist on stage! He was mentioned on Fangradio recently. Paul is his first name.

Three new songs, one Bowie cover, nothing from “Intriguer”, only one song off “Time on Eart”. No deep cuts or rarities.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entert...of-triplefinned-band

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entert...ally-delusional?rm=a

There’s an interesting line in that second link that ive never seen before:

“There might not be signed contracts in place, but they're fully-fledged band members, taking over from drummer Matt Sherrod, who joined the group after Hester's death and left in 2016, and guitarist Mark Hart, who was with the group until 2019.”

is this right? Speculation around Elroy and liam started with mark’s tweet that he was out. This suggests matt was already out.  

i think it fascinating that he has never commented on leaving the band and nick has never been quoted about matt and mark leaving either.

Yeah, I noticed that too. I’ve assumed that Crowded House merely was dormant after the 2016 Sydney Opera House shows and Mark and Matt were both “let go” in late 2019 when Neil decided to reform with a new line-up.

Not sure if the comment that Matt had left before 2019 is correct.

Christchurch setlist:

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist...zealand-b805df2.html

Songs that are also rehearsed and could pop up at other shows: I Got You, Into Temptation, Don’t Stop Now, Either Side of the World and three more new songs: Sweet Tooth, Start of Something, Bad Times Good. (Listed at the bottom of the actual printed set list from the Christchurch concert).

https://www.odt.co.nz/star-new...rowd-new-finn-family

I hadn’t noticed the burning building and wings in Elroy’s kick drum until the pics in that last review - a nice little connection with the past there.

I hadn't noticed them either! Thanks for pointing them out. Warm fuzzy memories of 1988.

11 March 2021 - Dunedin Town Hall, Dunedin, New Zealand .. no change in setlist ... setlist photo

@mattl posted:

So...any initial impressions of "Playing with Fire?"

mattl

I've heard it twice and I remember some "ba-bap-bas"? 🤔

Review of last night's Dunedin gig from the Otago Daily Times.

https://www.odt.co.nz/entertai...der-how-lucky-we-are

Queenstown setlist:

Sweet Tooth gets performed for the first time ever. I Got You tagged on at the end of the show.

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist...ealand-23804ce3.html

13th March 2021 Gibbston Valley, Queenstown, New Zealand setlist photo

Gibbston gig was great, can't remember the last time Neil was so friggin happy!  Great crowd in the golden sun. Merch, still getting over the dropping of the vowels. 

The lads' insta gets some mainstream media.

https://www.news.com.au/entert...8829da92fb62da1420d0

Just coming down from a high after the Wellington show this evening. The band were absolutely on fire - faithful to the songs yet with such live energy. neil in fine voice. Especially noteworthy for me was Mitchell's keyboards and Elroy's drumming. They breathed an energy into songs that I personally am less fond of for being over familiar - Chocolate Cake and Something So Strong.

The band Heroes cover was incredible too.

https://www.ambientlightblog.c...-wellington-nz-2021/

Wellington review , set list and pics

A couple other observations and thoughts post Wellington.

It was a spine tingling joy to hear Mitchell's solos in DDIO and For Seasons. I've heard countless live 'takes' on these classic but somewhat over familiar live staples over the years as numerous keyboard players took those honours live.

It gave me a little 'ohhh wow' moment to hear them played live so perfectly, and see Mitchell's face projected overhead of the stage screens. Lovely.

I've seen some comments along the lines of a snarky/poo pooing 'Since when did Crowded House need back up singers, this isn't Fleetwood Mac". Can't recall if here or Stevehoffman forum.

Reb Fountain and her band came out to do backing vocals on two songs (To The Island and one other). Backing singers were similarly used to back up on the TV3 The Project live performance of To the Island.

Just to put that one to bed. Context and facts are everything.

Gotta agree with everything Sinner62 has posted here - it was a great night in Wellington.

The two stand outs for me were When You Come and Something So Strong. It was without doubt the best live version of SSS that I have heard, and right up there for WYC. I probably would swap SSS and Distant Sun around so that SSS finishes the main set. Distant Sun seemed a little 'meh' following on from such a rousing rendition of SS (which funnily enough has never been one of my favourite songs).

I too really enjoyed Mitchell Froom on the keys. I thought it was pretty special seeing him play the parts he wrote. Elroy's drumming has come a long way too. I am a Liam fan, so really enjoyed him up there also. I did miss Mark (especially on the TA songs) but this is a new line-up and it does have an exciting new feel. Neil and Nick seemed to be in their element, and the more this band plays together, the better they are going to get.

Heroes rocked! It was fun seeing Neil come out from behind the piano and front of the stage with no guitar and just the mic at one point. His stance and delivery almost looked Bowie-ish at one point!

So, the “mystery percussionist” has been identified as Paul Taylor.

Hi @sinner62 and @Whysus

Were you close enough to the stage to see who played the lap steel on Private Universe?

Politely asking 🙂. I ask on Finn related Facebook pages but no one replies. I'm just curious.

Thanks heaps in advance 👍🙂

@Left Hand posted:

Hi @sinner62 and @Whysus

Were you close enough to the stage to see who played the lap steel on Private Universe?

Politely asking 🙂. I ask on Finn related Facebook pages but no one replies. I'm just curious.

Thanks heaps in advance 👍🙂

I couldn't see anybody playing the lap steel. My guess is that Mitchell Froom is creating the sound of the lap steel via the keyboards. It starts of with Elroy finger picking on acoustic from the drummer stool, and neither Neil or Liam were on lap steel, nor could I see anybody else on stage playing....

I think it is Liam playing those parts using fx pedal

Thanks @Whysus and @jamesp 🙂.

@In2FINN2 posted:

11 March 2021 - Dunedin Town Hall, Dunedin, New Zealand .. no change in setlist ... setlist photo

... been wondering about the colour codes on that setlist .. may have found the answer ... Marcus Catanzaro (Fleetwood Mac/Crowded House Tech) side of stage shots ...  photo 1 upright flightcase .. orange, green, yellow ? check ...  and red, orange, green referring to guitar tuning, click track ... photo 2