NEIL FINN of Crowded House finds himself in the awkward position of
being a 36-year-old songwriting genius, coming to terms with his band
having reached arena level in the UK after a rapid rise in the past two
years from playing clubs to facing 10,000 people in cavernous halls like
last night.
It does present a problem, as the band's live appeal has centred
largely on intimacy, spontaneity and self-deprecating humour, none of
which is easy in a venue of this size.
This does not prevent a valiant effort being made, but on this
occasion, the big stage set, the excellent lighting design, and,
inevitably, the previously superfluous drum fills and clap/singalongs
take a more prominent part in the proceedings.
Like their previous Glasgow show seven months ago at the concert hall,
there are nagging doubts that perhaps we are not seeing Crowded House at
their best. The set draws heavily on the most recent album, Together
Alone, which saw a slight dip in Finn's writing standards -- a selection
of songs which seem ill at ease with a live setting.
The oldest songs prove Finn's durability as a writer, and Private
Universe is enlivened by the addition of six bare-chested drummers from
New Zealand.
Ironically, if the show falls short of what Crowded House are capable,
it is largely down to Finn's continuing adventure in his writing, and
the band's rapid ascent in stature. For their flaws we should be
grateful: Crowded House remain the best of their ilk by a long way.
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