I love that so many Finnheads are coming out this summer.
If you missed Crowded House you can check them out from their last go-round and still feel the love: NPR’s Morning Becomes Eclectic with none other than Neil’s youngest son, Elroy!
Let’s not forget that Lovely Liam Finn is also releasing an album with his friends, including of course, Eliza-Jane Barnes called “Barb.” It’s out August 24th in the States and include a song about Leo Dicaprio.
Last week I posted excitedly about my love for Crowded House’s new album ‘Intriguer‘- at that time I didn’t have a ticket and my two ‘sources’ who had said they might be able to come through but couldn’t in the end….but posting about it led to an amazing opportunity not only to see the show but to hang with a new friend.
It’s always like going home when I goto a Crowded House show. I was so excited it was Nicole’s, (who had the extra ticket), first time seeing Crowded House live. The Bowery Ballroom was ‘crowded but …with love’ and wasn’t overly sold though it was sold out. It was comfortable and as we have aged with the band, it wasn’t the normal smelly boy rock show, but an excellent gathering of those who, like the band are “wild but calm.”
Neil’s voice was in fine form as they kicked off the show with “I Feel Possessed.” The two and a half! hour set list was nearly perfection. It would have lasted longer only a ridiculous and non-functional MTA curfew got the band to stop at 11:30. I know I normally don’t like to list set lists but here are a few of the many songs that were played last night:
Hole In The River, Don’t Dream It’s Over
Kill Eye; Mansion in the Slums (I have been singing this randomly for the last week); and When You Come.
Whispers and Moans; It’s Only Natural; Four Seasons in One Day– during the encore Neil switched up the lyrics to ‘Chocolate Cake’– “I saw Lindsay Lohan walk out of a 7-11. She was stocking up for the 3 months she’s going to prison, now the excess of fat on her American– waiiiit she’s not fat and that’s where the song falls apart.” Of course, they kept going.
It was only 3 songs in when we were all in our first sing-a-long of the night. The night was made even more special with the addition of two Finns- first Liam on “Nobody Wants To” and “English Trees” from Time on Earth, then later the lovely Mrs. Sharon Finn joined for “Isolation” and “Either Side of the World.” It was lovely, dreamy and totally a wonderful treat for fans especially when Neil gave his missus a short kiss following the two songs. Very sweet! Thank you Sharon for inspiring so many wonderous songs that have become the fabric of our Crowded House lives. I am wondering if we will ever see Elroy Finn join his dad on stage.
We were also treated to favorites “Distant Sun” and “Private Universe.” All in all a totally magical evening. It seemed they would have played “Amsterdam” but you may still hear it.
Sadly the guy with the USB sticks only arrived to America yesterday so last night’s show was recorded but not available for purchase. I’ll have to get it off the website when it goes on sale because that was an incredible show during which we learned in the banter that Neil was recently referred to as looking more like ‘a head waiter’ than a rock star. Neil said he was glad he was the head waiter…
We also learned that Nick found Sweden to be a very satisfying place to move his bowels. No, I’m not kidding, I wish I was but it was all in good fun just like those mustaches that have grown both on Neil and now on Nick. Mark’s days as a clean-shaven man may quickly give way to peer pressure.
Musically and lyrically this band continue to be interesting, inventive and passionate.
Early on EJ had a ‘moment’ where she stomped and screamed into the mic over a non-functional monitor. It was charming in a petulant child way. It was soon fixed. Liam confessed he was bleeding if anyone wanted his DNA, but though the crowd in front was packed with tiny drunk girls, there were no takers on that front.
Just like a Crowded House show, audience members yelled out requests and questions asking Liam what he was drinking : Tequila ( a hot toddy for EJ) and insisting he have more to fuel his intense drum solos. When EJ commented it was time to get it out of the way- how many Kiwis are in the house? Liam responded “I was born in Fucking Australia!” Such was the fun banter between the two which made for a happy musical liason.
Musically the duo wowed the crowd with distortion tactics, a drum machine, haunting vocals, ‘fake drum’ (Liam would record a couple of bars ala KT Tunstall for a loop, then return to his guitar) and calling up friends from the audience to play with them. Audience members howled with delight for Second Chance; Gather To The Chapel; and Honest Face. There were moments when Liam so resembled his father, Neil on stage it was uncanny.
The set also included Red Wine Bottle from the Seven Worlds Collide collective album, which there is a snippet of them performing in the below:
Sorry my camera isn’t amazing, it did capture how electric the show is but here are some more pics for Finnheads. Click here for my other entry on Liam.
There are random tunes out there that I’m digging. These are them!
Said The Whale: Goodnight Moon is pure rock strumming happy indie pop. To deny is to deny the very essential need to bop and clap. Like it? Check out the video for ‘Camilo (The Magician)’ wishing I was in Canada for their next gig.
Calvin Harris: Flashback Eric Pryz Remix He had me at ‘I like them Asian girls’ and he’s also, really tall and once leaned over me. Dance, trance, mix it up, rock it out. This is like a flashback to late night club scenes.
Arctic Monkeys: Old Yellow Bricks (Cryptonites Tease The Monkey Remix) a fun mash-up that will have you scratching your whackness. Of course: I am wearing out Humbug (Album) – it’s hard for me to pick a favorite. I’m loving how moody Arctic Monkeys are transporting me to my high school days, kicking leaves on the way to school, always accompanied by my Walkman (remember those?!)
Liam Finn & Eliza Jane: On Your Side: from their EP “Champagne In Seashells” this duet features the vocal stylings of Eliza Jane most prominently and it’s become my favorite track (that changes every week!) on the album for the last two weeks in a row. I cannot wait to see them live in November at The Bell House. A tour priced so nice it can’t miss, neither does this quirky duet. (note this quality isn’t amazing on this one)
Florence & The Machine: You’ve Got The Love (Jamie XX remix) well, I know, a lot of hipsters are like Flo vs. La Roux. Then there’s the ever loved Annie, who has a new single out that’s decent too, but I love the strumming, wind down, beat and feel of this one the most.
Civil Twilight: Soldier unlike Athlete’s new video for Superhuman Touch, the upbeat feel of this tune plus shots of converse, black of course, hightops and the earnest looks minus entirely depressing footage, makes this one my final random rocktober pick.
Hailing from the south seas, Liam’s musical heritage is undeniable. His father, Neil Finn has been honored as one of the greatest songwriters of all time after penning such Split Endz hits as “I Got You“; “Message To My Girl“; and “History Never Repeats” as well as being the front man for Crowded House. That alone would be enough to give Liam musical rights, but don’t forget Uncle Tim Finn, a founding member of Split Endz (he brought in Neil) as well as a successful solo artist, sometimes member of Crowded House (on the acclaimed ‘Woodface’ album) as well as the other half of The Finn Brothers.
I first saw Liam live back in the day on drums for Neil Finn & Friends tour in LA almost ten years ago. Seeing Liam open & later play with Crowded House at The Glass House in 2007 promoting his first solo record I’ll Be Lightening as a solo artist was quite impressive. Since then Liam has continued to tour both playing with Crowded House on stage as well as opening for Eddie Vedder (twice!), aka that guy from Pearl Jam- an honor for any musician.
Liam has toured all over the world, blending his unique talents as a guitarist, harmonica player and drummer into an incredible one man show. It’s a site to be seen. Happily Liam has put together a new ep with music, Eliza-Jane Barnes (daughter of Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes, yeah this is big time great musical heritage) out in September but you can listen now. (Sorry to make you go elsewhere but I’m slow today from lack of sleep!)
P.S.
Just going to throw this in as one of my favorite all-time songs that was penned by Mark Seymour (brother of Nick Seymour of Crowded House) from the band Hunters and Collectors. I first heard this song performed live by Eddie Vedder (yeah that guy again!) in Australia before a Pearl Jam concert opener back in 1991! Just to show you more intertwining of the musical connections here. Being summer, and that it’s one of my favorite all time songs (click on Neil’s name above to hear his acoustic version) in which I’m not alone, I say “Throw Your Arms Around Me!”
Ramblings of the BK GrrlGenius 