Enzless class

The perfect birthday treat for me last night was going to Split Enz at the TSB Arena (formerly the Queen’s Wharf Events Centre). I last saw them on my 15th birthday on their 1991 reunion tour. At the time I thought it would be the last time they toured, but happily that wasn’t the case.

We arrived during the opening act’s set. We hadn’t been too fussed on getting there a bit late as we went for a meal first (mmm, Mexican Cafe), but in hindsight it would have been good to see the whole thing. Phoenix Foundation were the openers, and they were great, and a fine warmup for Split Enz.

When Split Enz took the stage it was like a step back in time. They emerged from a giant gold bag and ran to their instruments, launching into Shark Attack. The backdrop and light show were first rate and complemented the band perfectly, as did the matching outfits.

They played a balanced set of greatest hits and less well known numbers. For me the highlights were I See Red (naturally), I Hope I Never, I Got You, Dirty Creature, Six Months In A Leaky Boat and One Step Ahead. The whole band were full of energy and right on top of their game, although I’m sure I caught one bum note from pianist Eddie Rayner, and a knowing look between him and Neil Finn - as if to say “no harm done”. In contrast to some of the Rock2Wgtn acts, these guys weren’t showing their age at all beyond the array of silver-grey heads of hair.

My only gripe was with the venue. We paid $93 each plus booking and courier fee for the tickets, and we were crammed into seats with less room than the average bus, train or airplane. Not only were we shoulder to shoulder all along the rows, but if I stood up the backs of my knees were touching my chair, while my front was touching the seat in front of me. I paid four dollars for a bottle of Sprite, and they wouldn’t give me the top - why, I don’t know.

The idea of having an all seated gig was ridiculous, as it was clear from the outset that the crowd wanted to be dancing, and the band wanted the crowd to be dancing. Eventually Neil told the audience that they could dance in the aisles, and that meant the whole of the “stalls” section were on their feet. Really, the promoter or whoever should have had the floor area as general admission standing and left the balconies for seating.

But the downsides couldn’t dampen a great night of entertainment by what must surely be the leading contender for New Zealand’s best ever band. As I sat or stood watching with rapt attention it struck me that a Finn brothers vocal harmony is one of the most quintessentially kiwi things around.

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