This might say “review,” but really it’s an appreciation piece for one of the biggest bands to come out of the 70s and 80s — arguably New Zealand’s greatest ever band. It’s not every day you get the chance to see a group of this calibre from that era, so being there felt like a genuine privilege. Even better, we went with our parents, who grew up listening to Split Enz, making the whole night feel like a shared family time‑warp.
After almost 20 years off the road, Split Enz returned with a lineup blending the old guard and the new: Tim and Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner, and Noel Crombie — the longest‑serving members — joined by drummer Matt Eccles and bassist James Milne. Tim, Eddie, and Noel are all 73, with Neil the “youngster” at 67, yet seeing them on stage you’d swear they’d discovered a fountain of youth.
While Tim’s voice has grown raspier with time, Neil’s has barely shifted. His tone is still silky, warm, and pitch‑perfect, the kind of voice that somehow dodges the decades. Every time he stepped into a chorus, it was like hearing the record — clean, effortless, unmistakably Neil. There’s a reason he’s considered one of the great songwriters and vocalists of this part of the world.
And then there’s the thing only siblings can do: that Finn‑brother harmony.
There’s something almost unfair about two brothers being able to lock in so naturally — the blend is so tight it feels genetic. Imagine harmonising with your brother in a band for over 50 years and still sounding that good. When they sang together, the whole room shifted. It was a reminder of why their music has lasted generations.
The Finns may be the household names, but on this night, Noel Crombie and Eddie Rayner stole the spotlight.
Noel was a one‑man percussion circus. I’ve never seen someone play so many instruments in one show — kazoo, triangle, guitar, drums, spoons, and even that mysterious vase‑looking thing. He had charisma, charm, and a joyful unpredictability that made him impossible to look away from.
Eddie Rayner, meanwhile, remains the architect of the Split Enz sound. His keyboard work is still lightning fast and impossibly precise. Watching his hands fly across the keys was like watching muscle memory and genius collide.
The outfits, the energy, the nostalgia
Split Enz didn’t just bring the music — they brought the outrageous outfits. Their modern take on the classic Enz aesthetic was a perfect nod to their theatrical roots.
The crowd began subdued, almost reverent, soaking it all in. But by the end, the entire arena was on its feet, belting out lyrics and dancing like it was 1979. It gave you a glimpse of what those legendary early shows must have felt like.
A legacy that still holds up
Even today, the music holds up effortlessly. For younger listeners: it’s absolutely worth diving into their catalogue. And when you remember that Split Enz eventually evolved into Crowded House, you’ve suddenly got decades of brilliance to explore.
Adding Split Enz to our list of bands seen felt special — a genuine bucket‑list moment. Is this their last tour? Hard to say. But if you ever get the chance to see them, add them to your list.
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