Crowded House - Stage 88

 

Crowded House

Stage 88

11 November 2022

In the end, there was nothing to worry about. It all worked out.  We were in the hands of a master. 

 

It is well established that a great crowd feeds a great band to bring them to a great performance.  It’s a positive feedback loop.  The seating arrangement at Crowded House’s show at Stage 88 did the band no favours.  At the end of the day there was really no doubt that we’d all leave very, very happy having listened to an incomparable songbook of hits.

The stage set up had seats in front of the stage, with a general admission area up the back.  People literally had picnic blankets and chairs. I know that CH are a nostalgia act… but really what have we become?  Are we all that old (spoiler… yes). It was initially hard for the band to make a connection.  Not only was there a seated front part of the crowd, there was a  huge gap between the stage and front row of seats.  It was about 5 metres.  Maybe more.  However, near the front of the stage, but to the side of the chairs, was a small area where I was standing. Let me rephrase that. Where I was dancing. Along with, surprisingly, not that many people.  Let’s say there were twenty people initially.  That crowd grew as the night went on and we were having a great time.  The band definitely noticed and complemented us a couple of times.  

In the middle of the gig, Neil Finn came down from the stage and stood in the middle of the vast gap.  Right up against the barrier he performed a song to the front rows. The gig was transformed.  The seated area finally stood up.  I don’t blame them. If you’re paying hundreds of dollars for a seat, you don’t want to be a d*ckhead and stand in front of someone else who has also paid hundreds of dollars for a prime seat.  Having said that, by coming to the front himself, Neil Finn gave permission for everyone to stand.  It was a great moment.  He had the whole crowd in the palm of his hands for the rest of the evening. 

As I was saying before, he’s a safe pair of hands.  That might sound like a band handed compliment. But it’s not. It was a great night.  A great gig.  Safe in the hands of a master craftsman.