Why aren't you playing another night? came the shout from the audience. Good question: Neil Finn's only Dublin appearance last Sunday sold out so quickly, the former leader of Crowded House could probably have packed out a second house no problem.
Finn's pedigree as singer and songwriter with the finest pop group in the southern hemisphere has ensured his continuing popularity, even if his solo albums haven't equalled the sales of Woodface or Temple Of Low Men. On stage, Finn cuts a loose, casual figure, dressed in baggy chinos, white T-shirt, and a denim jacket borrowed from former Crowded House bassist, Nick Seymour. The set is loose and crumpled too, which suits Finn's warm, summery songwriting style.
The emphasis is on Finn's new album, One-Nil, and even if you hadn't heard songs such as Rest Of The Day Off, Wherever You Are, and Don't Ask Why, you'd still feel that familiar glow which Finn has always exuded. Many of the new songs were co-written with Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin, and are close enough to the Crowded House spirit to please this crowd.
Crowded House fans got a good helping of oldies, including World Where You Live, Private Universe, and Four Seasons In One Day, the latter executed with the help of a delighted audience member who was invited on stage to sing Tim Finn's harmony part. Nick Seymour joined the band for Pineapple Head and the inevitable Weather With You, topping off a ramshackle but entertaining evening. They're two-thirds of the way there. All they need now is Paul Hester, and we can have that Crowded House reunion.
