MUSIC REVIEW: Crowded House, Summer Pops, Liverpool

Jul 10 2008 by Jade Wright

Crowded House, Summer Pops, Liverpool _220

THE Kiwis certainly brought the weather with them last night.

As the rain poured on Liverpool last night, inside the Echo Arena was bathed in the warmest of glows.

Singer Neil Finn positively emits sunshine. So much so that he ought to give lessons in how to be a frontman.

He could certainly teach Paul Simon a thing or two about how to interact with a crowd.

Aside from the fact that he’s breathtakingly, eyewateringly, heartmeltingly good, he also has the wonderful gift of loving every second on stage. He manages to sing 20-year- old songs like it’s the very first time, packing every second with sheer joy.

With his cheery Kiwi banter, he manages to make the 10,000 seat arena feel like he’s singing in your living room. And he wants to hear you sing along, too.

“Did you bring your voices with you tonight?” he asked the packed crowd of devotees. Liverpool certainly had. As he launched into Fall Of Your Feet, Weather With You, It’s Only Natural and Don’t Dream It’s Over, the throng sang along with every word in a full-on, hairs up on the back of your neck gesture of solidarity.

And in true Glastonbury form, Neil unleashed his trademark genial subversion, chatting to the crowd like old mates and asking the security guards to let people stand up and dance.

The band sounded sublime, and Neil was in superb voice showing, with a two-hour show packing in 22 songs, how his rich, mellow tones only get better with age.

Add in excellent support from fellow Kiwi Don McGlashan – joined for a duet by Neil Finn at one point – and Liverpool band Voo and it was the highlight in the Summer Pops season.

But then there was the icing on the cake: the encore from heaven. Neil brought on his old mate Johnny Marr for a cover of The Smiths There is A Light That Never Goes Out, followed by Weather With You. It was a hard act to follow, but follow it they did. After the audience refused to budge they returned for a second encore, with everyone on their feet.

A two-hour set, two great support bands, two encores and a standing ovation. This was something special.