Neil Finn
Hamer Hall, Melbourne // Thursday March 13, 2014
It really is difficult to comprehend that a man as prolific as Neil Finn can only credit three studio albums to his own name. Since One Nil was released in March of 2001, he has kept busy with several projects including recording an album with Brother Tim, the reformation of Crowded House and his Pajama Club side project with wife Sharon. Still, it’s taken over 12 years for a follow up to surface. Now in his mid 50’s, Finns latest offering Dizzy Heights has him embarking on a 12 date Australian tour which for the second night running is docked at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall.
Already positioned behind a black grand piano as light returns to the stage, a smartly presented Finn and his band kick off proceedings with Impressions, the opening track from the new record. Guitarist Jesse Sheehan and vocalist Lisa Tomlins accompany him with moody, dream filled backing vocals. This soulful opener wouldn't be out of place at a late night cocktail bar. Wasting no time, the upbeat Pony Ride is next. It’s an interesting piece. Part new wave, part funk, it’s an upbeat track that’s on the verge of asking you to the dance floor. His vocals trace back to the Revolver era Beatles. It’s established early on in the performance that this is far from a nostalgia trip.
The band performs in front of a spiral style handmade backdrop designed by ex Split Enz member Noel Crombie and partner Sally Mill. Behind this design flashes of colour dart to every corner of the stage, adding to the spectacle. At the conclusion of One Step Ahead, Finn claims to remember where every one of his songs was written. He recalls how the Split Enz classic was penned during an extended stay in South Yarra, while a St Kilda apartment was the birthplace for Crowded House favorite Distant Sun which he leads his group through with youthful exuberance. It’s obvious that Finn has no reservations in darting between his many projects and previous lives during this performance. Into The Sunset, the emotive closer from One Nil is followed by Only Talking Sense, a track taken from the 2004 Everyone Is Here release.
Pushing back to the present, the eerie drone of White Lies And Alibis is backed up with an epic version of Better Than TV, a love song which is every part joyful as it is desperate, “Don’t Die Wondering,” he pleads to an engrossed audience. Teaming up with Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala) for the latest album, Finns trademark melody is stalked and in some cases overshadowed by multi-layered, atmospheric tones. Dizzy Heights is the vehicle in which his experimental fantasies are brought to life. While not to question the quality of previous work, it’s in this mode that he fearlessly pushes to places where Crowded House dare not. It can make for magnificent listening.
After what has generally been a full band collaborative to this point, Finn takes to the piano for a stripped back solo version of Message To My Girl, calling on the crowd to sing along to the Split Enz staple as an impromptu reprise follows. While the main set begins to draw to a conclusion, Don’t Dream It’s Over pops up perhaps a little earlier than expected before Flying in the Face of Love surfaces. Sharon’s Bass guitar driving this rhythm and blues based standout.
A thunderous version of Locked Out is next. With a chaotic light show powering the performance, Finn staggers around the stage wildly strumming his guitar, his voice as strong as ever. This is his rock star moment. Not giving the audience a chance to gather their collective breath, the set is drawn to a close with the anthemic She Will Have Her Way. The band exiting to uncontained appreciation.
Upon calls for an encore, a mischievous faced Finn attempts to slide across his piano like the hood of a car as he returns to the stage. Wasting no time, a heavy rendition of History Never Repeats leads to a number of audience members leaving their seats for the dancing space of the aisles. After Dizzy Heights, he suggests they join him on stage as I Got You begins. A cast of 30 or so enthusiastically accepting his invitation as the stage fills. The chorus is heavy, celebratory.
By this stage those remaining in the stalls are on their feet and in full voice. With the initial set completed, Weather With You brings a five song finale to a close. Still not satisfied, Finn would perform a second encore on his own with acoustic versions of Mean To Me and Love This Life. A touching close for a commanding performance
Neil Finn is an artist who embraces the past but refuses to let it compromise the present. Fittingly for a man whose existence has lasted 55 years, he appears to be having the time of his life.
Set Impressions, Pony Ride, One Step Ahead, Distant Sun, Into the Sunset, Only Talking Sense, Golden Child, White Lies and Alibis, Better Than TV, Sinner, Fall at Your Feet, Divebomber, Message to My Girl, Faster Than Light, Don’t Dream It’s Over, Strangest Friends, Flying in the Face of Love, Locked Out, She Will Have Her Way
Encore History Never Repeats, Dizzy Heights, I Got You, Those Were the Days (Gene Raskin), Weather With You
Encore 2 Mean to Me, Love This Life
