A Now – Something Completely Different: A Concert Review – Split Enz
(Given that David F. brings us his travel stories I am hoping he will allow this one).
A life passion of mine is a love of music – and especially going to concerts.
For a NZ perspective; upon Dave Dobbyn becoming a “Sir” I had the privilege of writing this piece and a couple of years back even had the superb Jason Kerrison and most of The Feelers play at our wedding.
Last night we (my wife Luciana and I) went to Split Enz at Spark Arena in Auckland on their Forever Tour. I first saw them in Palmerston North in 1982 as a 15 year old who pretty much ran away from home to go. I have all of their albums – and all of them auto-graphed by Eddie Rayner.
They were back after 20 years, and it was 44 years since I first saw them play. I was as excited going last night as I was at in 1982, but there was a problem. The previous week Luciana and I had been to Mumford and Sons. While I and, clearly, the rest of the crowd, loved it – Luciana not so much. Added to that, Luciana is from Brazil and, although being here for 17 years, I had a lot of trouble even beginning to explain much at of what there is to explain about the band. It did not even seem to matter when I told her that Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam (who we saw last year) regarded them as his greatest influence, alongside Neil Young, and refers to the Finns as his uncles. So, I had a marker; even though I knew I would love it, if they could convince her …
Over the years some band members have come and gone so the stalwarts on the stage were Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie. They were supported by Matt Eccles and James Milne. They are not young but this week, before heading to Australia, their schedule was:
- Saturday, May 2: Claudelands Arena, Hamilton
- Monday, May 4: Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
- Wednesday, May 6: TSB Arena, Wellington
- Thursday, May 7: TSB Arena, Wellington
- Saturday, May 9: Spark Arena, Auckland
- Sunday, May 10: Spark Arena, Auckland
(Cred: https://13thfloor.co.nz/split-enz-spark-arena-may-9-2026-13th-floor-photo-gallery/#)
The concert was sold out and the stage set-up outstanding. They came out – in a typically bizarre way – played Shark Attack and any doubts from the crowd (possibly except one) evaporated and the people erupted.
The show was brilliant throughout as the busted through songs such as – Poor Boy, History Never Repeats, Nobody Takes Me Seriously, Give It A Whirl, Dirty Creature, One Step Ahead, Stuff And Nonsense, Message To My Girl, Double Happy, My Mistake, Hard Act To Follow, I Hope I Never, Six Months In A Leaky Boat, I Got You, I See Red and more.
They finished with Straight Old Line with the brilliant Noel Crombie on the drums and then the spoons – as only he could.
Tim Finn’s voice was outstanding. Even at 73 (“I was born in Te Awamutu, 25th of June 1952”) he did not hide away for a moment from the notes written in a younger man’s bizarre clothing. His energy and musicianship also incredible.
Neil Finn was his outstanding self throughout – as well as using that wit and band repartee that makes the audience feel like they are a part of a family occasion. His guitar playing – especially long solos – reminded everyone why he got to tour with Fleetwood Mac from 2018 – 22. His voice, at 67, simply brilliant.
Eddie Rayner is one of my long-term favourite musicians. Sometimes in the shadow of the Finn’s – but the architect of the iconic Enzo project. The longer the concert went on the more you understand how incredible and integral he is to their wonderful sound. His intro to Six Months in a Leaky Boat was stunning but a long way from being his only highlight.
Noel Crombie was as only he can be. He defines the long-term quirk of the band that sometimes masks the musical brilliance. I forgot to count how many instruments he played on the night – and have no reason why he smashed up a guitar as if he was Eddie van Halen (Neil Finn looked bemused too). More than anything though – he looked as if he was enjoying the night of his life … and it was infectious.
Matt Eccles on the drums and James Mile, bass, were both of the highest quality and, impressively, had great presence while deferring throughout to the core four.
Some songs they probably could have just played the instruments and the crowd would have provided the words. It was a deeply impressive performance … but had they won over the Brazilian? I asked … and got; “I really liked them. Everything!”
It is very hard to overstate the influence of Split Enz (and Crowded House) on NZ culture. When the great Australia rugby coach, Rod Macqueen, coached his last game, vanquishing the British Lions, in 2001 – his words to the crowd were: “To everyone out there, it’s bloody good to be Australian.” Last night I felt the same being a Kiwi.
alwyn.poole@gmail.com
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