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Taken from The Sydney Morning Herald (Dec 10, 2021)
Don't Dream It's Over: Crowded House's triumphant return
As the iconic Australian rock band take to the stage once more for their first national tour since 2010, we look back over their stellar musical journey through the decades.
by Amy Cooper
Crowded House: From left, Nick Seymour, Elroy Finn, Mitchell Froom, Neil Finn, Liam Finn. Credit: Kerry Brown |
Beginnings
Melbourne, 1985: during the farewell tour of their New Zealand band Split Enz, singer, guitarist and pianist Neil Finn and drummer Paul Hester decide to form a new band. They recruit bassist Nick Seymour, who brings a distinguished musical pedigree - he's the younger brother of Hunters & Collectors singer-songwriter Mark Seymour. After briefly adopting the name The Mullanes, the trio settle on Crowded House. A legend is born.
Early success
In 1986, Crowded House release their eponymous debut album on Capitol Records. After an initially slow burn, with the band working hard to build their fan base with grassroots live performances, the single Don't Dream it's Over changes everything. This hauntingly beautiful song, now a globally revered classic, captures the hearts of radio listeners in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and then Europe. It's a smash hit.
Don't Dream it's Over, written and composed by Neil Finn, is awarded Song of the Year and Best Video at the inaugural ARIA Awards in 1987 and remains to this day Crowded House's most commercially successful song as well as one of the modern era's most covered songs.
Crowded House's follow-up single, Something So Strong, is another huge hit, and the success of those first two is matched by World Where you Live. With irresistible melodies and moving lyrics, these Crowded House songs open the ears of the world to Australian rock music.
The hits keep coming
In the years until 1995, Crowded House release three more studio albums and a flow of hit songs that form the backbone of their remarkable catalogue.
Their third album, Woodface, yields another global hit destined to be a beloved classic: Fall at Your Feet. It's hard to find anyone who can't hum this exquisitely crafted, tender love song - and the same goes for Woodface's most successful single release: Weather With You.
The band also delights fans worldwide with their high-spirited and interactive live shows.
It's Farewell to the World
Crowded House's first chapter ends in 1996, with the disbanding of the initial lineup. The band makes an epic exit on the steps of the Sydney Opera House that year, with the now legendary Farewell to the World concert in front of 150,000 people - one of the largest live audiences in Australian music history and a day that will never be forgotten.
The emotion-charged show raises $250,000 for Sydney Children's Hospital.
A new millennium
Following the tragic news of drummer Paul Hester's death in 2005, Finn and Seymour resurrect Crowded House in his honour. With new drummer Matt Sherrod and former touring member Mark Hart, they release the critically and commercially successful album Time on Earth, followed by another album, Intriguer. Crowded House is inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2016 and marks the 20-year anniversary of Farewell to the World by returning to the Opera House for a stunning three-night reprise.
Then it's farewell once more, as the band goes on indefinite hiatus.
A dream comeback
The music world is thrilled by the news that Crowded House will once again reform, with an exciting new multi-generational lineup of Finn, Seymour, original producer Mitchell Froom and Finn's sons Liam and Elroy. A performance is planned for the 2020 Byron Bay Bluesfest, but the COVID-19 pandemic scuppers all live concert plans.
In 2021, Crowded House satisfies the world's craving for more of their music with a new studio album, Dreamers are Waiting.
The band tours New Zealand, playing to full houses and rapturous audiences.
Next comes the news that Australian fans have been longing to hear for more than eleven years: the Dreamers are Waiting tour will come to Australia in April 2022. It's Crowded House's first national tour since 2010 and just the third Australian tour during the last 15 years.
Now you can be part of history
Crowded House will commence their Australian Dreamers are Waiting tour in Perth on April 1 and 2 at Kings Park & Botanic Garden, followed by Adelaide Entertainment Centre on April 5, Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl on April 8 and 9, Aware Super Theatre in Sydney on April 12 and 13 and Centennial Vineyards in Bowral on April 16 before concluding at Bluesfest, Byron Bay on April 17.
Tickets go on sale FRIDAY DECEMBER 10 AT 12 NOON (local time).
For complete tour, ticket and VIP Experience information, visit: livenation.com.au
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