US Tour

Awesome review Sean, thanks for sharing.

I too was at the show at the Budweiser stage last night, and would like to offer my 100% biased opinion. Yesterday was hands down, THE BEST Crowded House performance I have ever seen/heard (live or recorded, from any era) and THE BEST concert experience of my life; I’ve been lucky enough to see quite a few concerts and festivals (of all shapes and sizes, and in different parts of the world) including some of the biggest names in music (U2, Genesis, Coldplay, John Mayer, Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Wilco, Springsteen, etc.), and this was hands down THE BEST.

There was undeniable magic in the air, and Neil was visibly happy, and having a great time throughout the night. Maybe he was in a celebratory mood because of his birthday, or just happy to be back in Toronto (albeit briefly), or maybe he’s thrilled to finally be at arms length of wrapping up this never ending tour supporting DAW… who knows?

Highlights from the evening were:

1. Neil’s singing - he swung for the fences and never missed! His singing on Message to My Girl was easily the best he’s done over the past 40+ years. Mitchell provided a very cool and discrete background organ on that one.

2. The New (unreleased songs) - WOW!!! I think we got 3 new songs altogether. Each one better than the previous one. The last of the three featured Liam on main vocals and I can say without a doubt, this song can easily be a hit, and will quickly become a fan favorite upon release. The energy with which the band played these songs has not been witnessed in the CH camp since the late 80’s.

3. Musicianship - Perfection!!! The only slight snag I noticed (maybe) was during Love This Life; I want to say that Mitchell was playing parts of the song in the wrong key, but I also don’t dare question the master architect himself. (I’m pretty sure something weird was going on and maybe it wasn’t as noticeable to others). Anyone who has questioned Liam or Elroy’s abilities or qualifications as fully fledged band members, is simply wrong. With all do respect to Mark and Matt, this lineup exceeds all expectations.

4. Setlist - great selection of songs all around. Although they basically ignored Time On Earth and Intriguer (except for a mention of Nick’s Teddy Bear on the cover), they created an almost perfectly balanced setlist of old and new songs. The flow was seamless, and although I understand a lot of people won’t react the same way to To The Island as they will to Weather With You, the crowd of thousands was All In. People around me were singing, clapping, smiling and enjoying every minute of this 2-hour  sonic-buffet, without any signs of boredom.

I would have loved another 20-30 min. and given the chance obviously would have added other songs to the setlist. Still, Crowded House allowed us to indulge while leaving us wanting more.

I can’t wait for what’s next. Neil and Co. are in their prime, and NOT showing any sings of slowing down!

Hey Brando Thanks for your thoughts! I didn't take notes or anything, I was just going off of my memory, so if I messed anything up, feel free to correct... You mentioned Nick's Teddy Bear - apparently there was a guy in the crowd wearing a Teddy Bear mask from The Intriguer cover, I think it was some sort of promo or something, couldn't quite make out everything Neil said.  Since Nick designed the cover of the record, Neil asked him what the Teddy Bear thing was all about, Nick sheepishly shrugged his shoulders and said "Uh, I don't know..."

Totally  agree with you on the show! It was just one of those nights on why I love music so much. It's sometimes hard to explain to people who don't. And you don't always feel that way after a show no matter how much you may love an artist...  but last night was one of those that stay with you long after the final encore... If you are on this site, you get it, you love Neil and the band and know just how incredible they can be. In many ways Neil and Crowded House are kind of like our secret (well as much as a secret as they can be) that so many have no idea about...

Thanks for the great reports on the Toronto concert.

One thing I noticed from the clips I've seen is there is a different guitar tech than the guy who worked all the other US shows as Neil's tech.  It was the same for the other Canadian gig in Vancouver at the start of the tour.  Maybe a visa issue.

Agreed, exceptional Toronto show! Wonderful to hear 4 songs from Temple of Low Men. Love This Life was a nice surprise.

Neil learning how to look after his voice (Fleetwood Mac introduced him to a vocal coach) really has helped. He sounds fantastic.

The Teddy Bear masks were a promotional item that they gave out at some of the Intriguer shows - that is what Neil was talking about - Nick actually suggested they play it but Neil might not have heard him.

The story about the Border Guard was that apparently CH performed for fish as part of a series on Nature Conservation - literally the sound went underwater - Neil said it was the most obscure show they'd ever done and this random Canadian Border Guard was there! I wonder if there is audio or video of this - perhaps for FangTV?

I haven't posted on here in forever, but I was also at the Toronto show on Saturday. In a weird bit of coincidence, the rescheduled date turned out to be 29 years to the day since I last saw CH live in Glasgow on the Together Alone tour, a fact that didn't register until they started with all of the "Happy birthday Neil" stuff!

Further to the comments about Elroy's drumming, I was not prepared for when he came down the front with the little snare/cymbal kit and the brushes, a la Hessie. In the middle of "4 Seasons", it hit me that I hadn't seen them play live since Paul's passing and... well, feelings happened that I was not aware that I'd been hanging on to 😥

And has anyone mentioned how the current lineup has really kicked up the capacity for live harmonies?

All-in-all, it was a pretty magical night in Toronto!

@Aka o Miru posted:

I haven't posted on here in forever, but I was also at the Toronto show on Saturday. In a weird bit of coincidence, the rescheduled date turned out to be 29 years to the day since I last saw CH live in Glasgow on the Together Alone tour, a fact that didn't register until they started with all of the "Happy birthday Neil" stuff!

Further to the comments about Elroy's drumming, I was not prepared for when he came down the front with the little snare/cymbal kit and the brushes, a la Hessie. In the middle of "4 Seasons", it hit me that I hadn't seen them play live since Paul's passing and... well, feelings happened that I was not aware that I'd been hanging on to 😥

And has anyone mentioned how the current lineup has really kicked up the capacity for live harmonies?

All-in-all, it was a pretty magical night in Toronto!

Yeah in terms of the harmonies they sound the best they have since when Tim was in the band.

Hey, Frenz, Vail here, aka setlist editor RockerFanV.  Crowded House / Finn fan since the 1980's.  Had the great fortune to catch the US West Coast shows earlier this month.  Some comments:

Each show was unique, from song choices, snippets, to the banter. Convinced I would have enjoyed catching the whole tour for those reasons and more.

Seattle: Very glad to have caught "Silent House," a great emotional tune that they seem to have dropped as the tour progressed. As mentioned, the arrangement for "Private Universe" is great, with soaring harmonies and a ripping Elroy drum segment. I like "Life's Imitation," the new song that has been a consistent fixture in the set.  Would have thought it would be the only new song performed on the tour, but CH has never been that type of band. Great to hear "Elephants" during the encore.  I guess Eddie Vedder wasn't in town, was hoping for a cameo...

Portland: Oddly, the Portland show was only 2/3rd's full, the House was not Crowded. Despite this, Neil sang a bit of Enz' "Iris" by request.  He also did an animated "Aquarius" from "Hair." Live debut of new song "Blurry Grass." They repeated the song title for the audience, so we heard it right! Neil sang this, but band comments suggested it was an Elroy penned tune. Finally, "Into Temptation" during the encore, always welcome.

Oakland:  The energy seemed to pick up for this show.  Neil seemed in good spirits and there was a fair amount of dancing onstage. During his opening set, Liam stepped onto Neil's piano and jumped off, rock star style.  Neil playfully reprimanded him later, worried that the piano could be damaged. Liam climbed onto the side speaker bank at one point. "Nails in My Feet" and "It's Only Natural" made their first tour appearances, as did "Some Greater Plan" which popped up a bit in the latest Aussie leg.  Half way in, the audience requested "Hole in the River."  Neil complied, though it was clear the band hadn't rehearsed it.  In fact, it was the first time this version of the band played it live.  Neil seemed prepared to stop after the first verse, but the crowd egged him on and continued verse, chorus and the instrumental break.  Sweet. 

LA night one.  Another great show.  Froom was having trouble with his system before "Life's Imitation" so Neil and Liam broke into an impromptu version of the Enz' "Sweet Dreams."  This was a fixture of the father / son NZ tour. "Love Isn't Hard at All" made its only tour appearance, unless they roll it out in Boston tonight.

LA night two.  Would have assumed a radically different set for this one, since there probably a fair number of repeat attendees. There were some minor differences. We did get Bowie's "Heroes" which had become a staple of the set outside the US. Great energy, and the bittersweet moment as the band continued on without me!

After Boston, I will post again to sum up the tour.  Several of the shows are well represented online, including the new tunes.  Until next time...

RFV

Reading through these entertaining reviews, there's a recurring theme of Dreamers Are Waiting songs being less enthusiastically received. That's too bad and kind of surprising. It's a good album, in fact several songs are my favorite Finn tracks since 2007. And it seemed well received around these parts. Maybe I underestimate how many concert attendees just know Don't Dream It's Over and a few others.

@slowpogo posted:

Reading through these entertaining reviews, there's a recurring theme about Dreamers Are Waiting songs being less enthusiastically received. That's too bad and kind of surprising. It's a good album, in fact several songs are my favorite Finn tracks since 2007. And it seemed well received around these parts. Maybe I underestimate how many concert attendees just know Don't Dream It's Over and a few others.

Of the 3 I saw, it was really varied. In Seattle the new songs sucked all the energy out of the room, in Denver and Chicago they were received very well (To The Island in particular is a genuine highlight of the set and I hope it sticks around in future tours).

I have also really enjoyed the reviews of the US tour. Thanks to all those who have posted! It’s so sad that Brady and Kufala are no longer with us though -  I would have loved a tour boxset to go with the 2007 and 2010 ones so I could hear each show myself.

I am really surprised that Sweet Tooth and Start of Something didn’t make any appearances. Those two along with Goodnight Everyone would be my top three DAW picks for a live show (To The Island coming in 4th). I think Sweet Tooth and Start of Something are the most immediately accessible to a casual fan hearing them first time.

Bizarrely they have only appeared once each across all DAW tours and that was back during the NZ tour before the album was released. Start of Something even had an official video released of the performance it was that good. https://youtu.be/jpTENw822rA