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« Movember: Day 5, Missing WA | Main | Movember: Day 6, Crowded House no crowded mo’ »
11 Years on, Crowded House 2.0 in Sydney
By Nick Hodge | November 5, 2007
11 years after the Farewell to the World concert, Crowded House 2.0 reformed and has returned to Sydney.
In another 11 years time, all of Sydney would remember that day in November 1996 when the band played until Don't Dream It's Over. The entire 4+ million people will say they were there; just like Woodstock.
Starting with Neil Finn's personal favourite song, Private Universe; a song where Matt Sherrod can show his drumming metal - to the final Better Be Home Soon; the crowd swooned and sang along.
At times the concert was like a Neil Finn revival meeting for yuppies. Whilst Crowded House wasn't cool in the 1980s and early 1990s, they certainly are now. High FM radio rotation songs such as Weather With You, Four Seasons in One Day and Don't Dream It's Over become hymns for all to sing along to. And the crowd certainly joined The Crowdies in the old classics. It's strange how you will sing along with 10,000 other people yet never do so in an office.
New songs, like all new Neil Finn songs, were let lose with album matching quality. It is the band that recorded the original songs; even with a hirsute Liam Finn joining his dad for two songs. Two news songs: Pour Le Monde and Silent House resonated most with the audience.
A little journey into Kraftwerk-inspired disco spilling into Split Enz Spellbound, and back again demonstrated the musicianship of the group. A bunch of blokes getting together and entertaining. Giving a voice to those uncool enough to like the Crowdies; but not hiphop.
1.0 will be remembered. And can never be replaced. We miss you Paul. Is it Crowded House sans Paul Hester? Yes, but 2.0
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Topics: crowdedhouse |
November 7th, 2007 at 12:37 am
I've got my tickets. Counting down the sleeps now until Friday November 16 when Crowded House play at Supreme Court Gardens in Perth. Despite being a long-time fan, I've never seen them perform in concert, though I have caught a couple of Finn Bros gigs, and the Split Enz tour.
"Silent House" is one of my favourite tracks from "Time on Earth". While attempting to learn the song I did a bit of research and was surprised to find that it was co-written by Niel Finn and the Dixie Chicks. The Chicks' version is a little up-beat for my liking, but still good. I think the song resonates because most of us can relate to that situation of loss.
One of the things I've always enjoyed about Neil Finn's concerts is that wildcard element, whether its some blast from the past or some unexpected cover. And since their studio albums are highly produced, live versions of the songs can sound quite fresh and different.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Their shows in small venues before they "went big" were classics: audience participation, and the whole thing.
Pure madness.
Many great stories. Many nights.
Long live Crowded House 1.0
November 8th, 2007 at 3:19 am
Yes, I think you captured that well. Crowded House 1.0, and Crowded House 2.0. I saw 2.0 in Brussels, and still cherish the happy memories. I think it took two people to replace Paul Hester, but with Davey Lane there the magic is there.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Nick, You're holding back a bit on the superlatives. I saw CH v1.0 "way back when" and have been a big fan of them (and Split Enz as well as bothe Tim and Neil) since the beginning. The gig in SEC was as good as (if not better than) anything I've seen from any member of that extended family. The only thing I can iamgine would top this would be if I was still living in Bristol, UK, and could have seen their appearance at the "Thekla" (a club/boat moored in the Bristol floating harbour). So keep looking forward to "your" dates for the rest of the tour. I can't wait for their next album (they are heading back to studio at the end of the year - Neil confirmed it live).
November 8th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Oddvar
It's a little difficult to describe the feeling. There is a hole that the band is trying to fill; and the only positive way of describing this Crowded House is that it's version 2.0.
It helps me sum up the feeling I had with the old with-Paul Crowded House. The lightness of touch. The lightness in entertainment and the tightness of the threesome.
Crowded House 2.0 is only a year in to finding their feet. There is no doubt that they have an inventory of songs that are in the hearts of music listeners.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Nick, part of that lightness was that they had no obvious "agenda". They had the freedom to be creative, open, mischievous, reflective, irreverent, etc.
With "Time on Earth" they are trying to recover from a terrible loss. Most of the songs are suffused with the events of Paul's passing. The vibe is different, but still very real.
The lineup has changed and they will tighten up with time, but life moves on too. The challenge for the audience is to move with them. As we mature different issues become important, and these will come forth through the songs. Ten years on I would not expect the feel to be the same. I'll certainly be interested to see the next album which will probably be more representative of their future output.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Nick, judging from the songs you mentioned it looks like the Perth gig was quite different. Check out my review and the set list here.