Review: Crowded House reopens colourful file on Melbourne life
Crowded House frontman Neil Finn has reflected on the band’s Melbourne days, including tales of tipsy medicos and an unpaid restaurant tab, at the group’s Rod Laver Arena gig.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Crowded House have reopened their colourful Melbourne files to share stories about former home addresses, skipping a restaurant bill in St Kilda, and a doctor who showed up drunk after the 1983 AFL Grand Final to deliver a baby.
That baby, guitarist Liam Finn, now 41, performed with Crowded House, alongside his father, singer-songwriter Neil Finn, brother, drummer Elroy, bassist Nick Seymour and Mitchell Froom on keys, at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night.
It was a homecoming show. Finn, Seymour and drummer, the late Paul Hester, formed Crowded House in Melbourne in 1985.
Their show, supporting a new album, Gravity Stairs, was classic Crowdies — hits crafted by a pop master, warmly delivered by a tight band, unafraid to take occasional jazz or woozy-psych detours, and, of course, the banter.
Crowded House banter is always top notch, and they did not disappoint on Tuesday.
Neil Finn’s early talking points included camping in the King’s Domain, Seymour’s love of outdoors pursuits, and nose hair trimmers.
“I promised I wouldn’t talk too much because we’ve got a lot of songs to do, and what am I doing?” Finn said. “F---in’ talking!”
Elsewhere, they cited streets where they used to live, including Shirley Grove, in St Kilda East, and Osborne St, in South Yarra. On the last tour, Finn lamented, they gave specific addresses, and fans went knocking on doors.
A note thrown from the floor as a paper plane accused Neil Finn of owing somebody $50 after dining at a St Kilda institution.
“Remember the Galleon (cafe) meal that you ran out on?” Seymour asked, laughing.
Finn: “Is the Galleon still there? They did a great eggs breakfast and coffee.”
The throwbacks eventually landed on September 24, 1983.
“Royal Women’s Hospital, (AFL) Grand Final Day,” Finn said. “Who won? I don’t give a s--t.
All we know is the doctor who supposed to deliver Liam arrived drunk at five o’clock in the afternoon, after the game, and said (to Finn’s wife Sharon): ‘He’ll be hours yet, love.’
“Two hours later, Liam was born, and (the doctor) was nowhere to be seen. I won’t name him and shame him,” Finn said. “There’s enough of that s--t going on in the world, but you’ll find it on our Instagram page tonight.”
The set included anthems Don’t Dream It’s Over, Something So Strong, Distant Sun, Fall At Your Feet and Better Be Home Soon. Finn dedicated Weather With You to Hester. He also performed Split Enz hits I Got You and Message To My Girl.
Want to cook like Petracca on Valentine’s Day? The AFL star shares his top tips
Dees superstar and foodie Christian Petracca says following this list of do’s and don’ts can help you create a restaurant-worthy experience at home.
Souled Out festival cancelled at last minute, but there’s a twist
The Souled Out R & B music festival has been cancelled, with organisers saying the event “did not reach the level of support needed”. But they had earlier boasted one of the shows had sold out. What happened?