Christchurch: Private universe
(Add 'em as you find 'em, full audio bootlegs to my friend Jane please!)
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Blimey ... crowd looks about as lively as the cardboard cutouts at a covid-hit football stadium ....
so true...
Probably the result of lots of different things; the mood of that song (heightened by the record-like arrangement), the band being extra self-aware (maybe even nervous) on the first night of a much anticipated tour, and possibly telling signs of what concerts may feel like or need to be like in a post-Covid world.
A lot has changed in the past 12 months, and we may Never Be The Same...
It's a sit down gig too; sit down rock gigs are awful for atmosphere.
Having said that, it's a pretty lifeless rendition. It's like they get through the main song and give up for the last couple of minutes.
Clip from Four Seasons In One Day:
I thought it was a fine version, Neil's singing sounds great and barely different from some of the 90s fan club shows. Some interesting new touches from Mitchell. I think drums don't come across on cell phone recordings like they do live. That said, Elroy is a really accomplished drummer but his playing seems rather careful and "buttoned up" compared to Matt or Paul. For example the version of Whispers and Moans they did on fangradio, at the very end where Paul used to do lots of drum fills, Elroy just sat there between hits. He's got the technique and the feel, I hope he opens up a bit more. The end of Private Universe seems like a great opportunity to do that but again, he stayed on script.
However I think the "jamming" elements of their live performances will take the most time to develop. I think once they've got a few dozen shows under their belts that will open up a lot more.
But yeah, that audience was dead lol.
Whispers and Moans from last night - via the Neil Finn Fan Club group on Facebook.
A good first attempt, I’m sure they’ll loosen up a bit on that one as the tour goes on. It’d be nice to hear Elroy get a bit more adventurous and Liam to sing more harmonies, although in both cases I wonder if that’s more due to the “play everything like the record” approach.
@Thom Bullock posted:A good first attempt, I’m sure they’ll loosen up a bit on that one as the tour goes on. It’d be nice to hear Elroy get a bit more adventurous and Liam to sing more harmonies, although in both cases I wonder if that’s more due to the “play everything like the record” approach.
I'm not yet able to watch these. But I've been concerned about all of them talking about faithfulness to the records.
I saw Dire Straits live in 1992 and what I remember most is that it was like listening to the albums.
My memories of Crowded House shows are full of spontaneous moments.
The performances from these clips sound great. They have definitely followed how the songs were played studio wise.
I'm sure back in this site in 2007 there may have been comments that the band lineup seems nervous, unadventurous, etc. It's just gelling. I'm sure the band will seem a bit more relaxed as more gigs are performed.
I do miss Mark Hart (and Matt) from these performances. Like fans miss Paul.
Who was playing the lap steel on Private Universe by the way?
Jeepers...
Calling the audience lifeless from a distant video of a crowd at a seated venue listening to a mesmerising private Universe..
Calling Private Universe a "lifeless rendition" ? based on a poor quality distantly shot balcony video shot on an iPhone video?
Truely gobsmacked at some reactions here. For a moment I had to double check I wasn't on the Steve Hoffman forum.
Re: Atmosphere - Not sure what else you would expect at a seated gig and fresh from a global pandemic - I suspect we will all take a while to get back into the swing of things and relax at gigs - from a UK perspective, I still can't get my head round seeing a full non social distanced arena with no mask - feels beautiful but alien!
That said, Neil had them all singing straight off the bat and I have seen a few clips of the gig later on as the seats were departed and its all standing at the front without a care - beautiful to see!
I miss live gigs so very much....
Don't Dream It's Over and Weather With You from Christchurch #2
@sinner62 posted:Jeepers...
Calling the audience lifeless from a distant video of a crowd at a seated venue listening to a mesmerising private Universe..
Calling Private Universe a "lifeless rendition" ? based on a poor quality distantly shot balcony video shot on an iPhone video?
Truely gobsmacked at some reactions here. For a moment I had to double check I wasn't on the Steve Hoffman forum.
People have different opinions shock. That's kinda the point of discussion boards.
Yes, I thought it seemed pretty lifeless and yes I think it pales compared to Crowded House of old. I think the idea that they are going to slavishly recreate the records is a disappointing one given CH have always been known as a band to go off piste live, and have said themselves many times in the past they have struggled to capture the feel of live shows on tape.
Not in the slightest gobsmacked at the idea of different opinions. Different opinions is not what I was talking about though. I was gobsmacked at such views being arrived at based on a distant and poor quality sound audio/video recording, and saying a seated audience was lifeless.
Private Universe in Christchurch last night was full of great textures to distinguish it from either the album version or say from any one of dozens of live versions from the club CDs. The last 2 minutes of Private Universe 2021 was anything but a slavish copy of the album version.
Am loving the energy that Elroy and Liam are bringing + they both play wonderfully.
Prefer this to the 2010 shows I went to - which felt like men in suits, stood still.
But...they are nowhere near as good as when Gill was on Keyboards...
In my opinion 😉
Night 2 performance sounds F'n phenomenal; lifeless it is NOT...
Pretty impressed so far. I miss Matt and Mark too (always Paul), but Mitchell Froom is a Rolls Royce compared to Mark's Mercedes on Keys (sorry but it's true). In terms of drumming Elroy is much cleaner and closer to Paul original style than Matt ever was. I love Matt's playing, but I always had issues with his 60's retro-vibe especially with his California fill-ins (spending way too much time on the hi-hat and snare) and (on most songs) not enough toms.
@Plug posted:Don't Dream It's Over and Weather With You from Christchurch #2
Liam’s harmonies on WWY are sounding great to my untrained ears...Not so sure about Nick’s backing vocals.
I haven't been sure about Nick's backing vocals since 1996
Some more from Christchurch:
13th March 2021 Gibbston Valley, Queenstown, New Zealand
great video report by Gavin Lang including snippets of Fall At Your Feet, Sweet Tooth, Something So Strong dedicated to Neil's Sisters in the audience , Heroes [David Bowie], To The Island
The end of I Got You from the other day sounding like a great moment. Some much joy on stage and in that crowd. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMXvoXohXkK
@Thom Bullock posted:The end of I Got You from the other day sounding like a great moment. Some much joy on stage and in that crowd. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMXvoXohXkK
Always a crowd favourite and pleaser. I’ve heard this song sung by many and dare I make the comment is always enjoyed and sung back to the band. Were all the songs sung on the set list?
I have to admit - even though I’m grumpy about some of the aspects of the current CH, seeing the pics/videos of Gibbston can melt the stoniest of hearts. N has clearly got a great thing going, audiences are going crazy for this stuff. I hope he makes it to the U.S. eventually so I can join the party too 
A few full songs from a distance in Queenstown: Weather With You, Mean To Me, Whispers and Moans.
Wellington trickling in, starting with Better Be Home Soon
Forgive my ignorance. How do you post videos in the forum. I've got some from the Nelson show to share.
Generally I would suggest you upload to YouTube and share the links.
23rd March 2021 - Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, New Zealand
Mean to Me
Don't Stop Now
Four Seasons In One Day
Don't Dream It's Over
27th March 2021 - Church Road Winery, Napier, New Zealand
The Beths – Little Death / Uptown Girl
Weather With You
Fall At Your Feet
Four Seasons In One Day
Don’t Dream it’s Over
Don’t Dream it’s Over
Distant Sun
Heroes (David Bowie)
And some more from Napier (27/3)
https://youtu.be/ebol0gEevlw (Something So Strong)
https://youtu.be/oCJPKfH1d4Q (Locked Out)
https://youtu.be/IQwqkmNpMn8 (Chocolate Cake)
https://youtu.be/NVRJFsy_z7g (Heroes)
https://youtu.be/6A12MHeuje8 (I Got You)
https://youtu.be/haphMO6iTmo (The end of Distant Sun)
Thank you for this thread 👌✌️
Oh boy, found this gem here ... CH interview 1992, with a truly hilarious Paul in the middle:
"So we got three buses now ... just one driver, so it takes a long time. Some gigs you don't make it."
My kiddo had a show choir concert last night, with tributes to all the most famous 80s artists. She had a solo on Footloose. I just wanted to share- at the beginning of the term each student auditioned with an 80s tune, and she sang "DDIO". Proud of her.
@c.houser posted:My kiddo had a show choir concert last night, with tributes to all the most famous 80s artists. She had a solo on Footloose. I just wanted to share- at the beginning of the term each student auditioned with an 80s tune, and she sang "DDIO". Proud of her.
Hey that's awesome! Do you have footage? Or not allowed to post it.
cheers
You're so sweet, Annie! I'll try to post it. (I'm currently befuddled by my telephone.)