Something so strong pulls Neil Finn back to the open road, even 40 years on
You might assume that after 40 years with Crowded House, Neil Finn would've done it all. But then you see a viral video where he's singing Don't Dream It's Over with pop star Dua Lipa and you think, hmm, that's unexpected.
'I just got an email, turns out she and her father, who manages her, are big fans. I was very happy to be asked,' says Finn about being invited onstage by Lipa at her gig in Auckland in April.
'I happen to have an affection for her music, in part because my grandsons Buddy and Manaia danced to Houdini and Levitating all summer. I like her stuff and I like her, she emanates something really positive and good and she was a delight.'
Also unexpected? That there are somehow places left in Australia that Crowded House have never yet managed to play. It's partly the reason the band will headline Red Hot Summer, a touring festival that'll take them through regional Australia this October and November, alongside acts like The Church, Angus & Julia Stone, and old acquaintances Mark Seymour and Vika & Linda.
'It's going to be quite a hanging-out-with-the-family kind of vibe, a pretty tight crew getting around to some interesting parts of Australia that we haven't been to for years or sometimes ever,' says Finn.
'There's a bit of extra excitement in the audience when you turn up in a place that's off the beaten track a little bit, where they don't necessarily get things like this. We're pleased to be part of that, and we aim to make it an unforgettable night'.
Ever the ageing muso with his tousled grey hair, horn-rimmed glasses and pilling green jumper, Finn, 67 – Zooming from his sun-dappled writing room in Auckland – says he's a creature of habit when it comes to music these days. 'I have a fairly strict life. Not 'strict' because I love it, but a routine of coming into this room here every day and just exploring,' he says.
He's been getting new songs going for Crowded House's next album, which he hopes to record in August, with the same lineup – his sons Liam and Elroy, and super-producer Mitch Froom on keyboards – established on 2021's acclaimed comeback Dreamers Are Waiting and last year's Gravity Stairs.
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The Age
16 hours ago
- The Age
Something so strong pulls Neil Finn back to the open road, even 40 years on
You might assume that after 40 years with Crowded House, Neil Finn would've done it all. But then you see a viral video where he's singing Don't Dream It's Over with pop star Dua Lipa and you think, hmm, that's unexpected. 'I just got an email, turns out she and her father, who manages her, are big fans. I was very happy to be asked,' says Finn about being invited onstage by Lipa at her gig in Auckland in April. 'I happen to have an affection for her music, in part because my grandsons Buddy and Manaia danced to Houdini and Levitating all summer. I like her stuff and I like her, she emanates something really positive and good and she was a delight.' Also unexpected? That there are somehow places left in Australia that Crowded House have never yet managed to play. It's partly the reason the band will headline Red Hot Summer, a touring festival that'll take them through regional Australia this October and November, alongside acts like The Church, Angus & Julia Stone, and old acquaintances Mark Seymour and Vika & Linda. 'It's going to be quite a hanging-out-with-the-family kind of vibe, a pretty tight crew getting around to some interesting parts of Australia that we haven't been to for years or sometimes ever,' says Finn. 'There's a bit of extra excitement in the audience when you turn up in a place that's off the beaten track a little bit, where they don't necessarily get things like this. We're pleased to be part of that, and we aim to make it an unforgettable night'. Ever the ageing muso with his tousled grey hair, horn-rimmed glasses and pilling green jumper, Finn, 67 – Zooming from his sun-dappled writing room in Auckland – says he's a creature of habit when it comes to music these days. 'I have a fairly strict life. Not 'strict' because I love it, but a routine of coming into this room here every day and just exploring,' he says. He's been getting new songs going for Crowded House's next album, which he hopes to record in August, with the same lineup – his sons Liam and Elroy, and super-producer Mitch Froom on keyboards – established on 2021's acclaimed comeback Dreamers Are Waiting and last year's Gravity Stairs.
Sydney Morning Herald
16 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Something so strong pulls Neil Finn back to the open road, even 40 years on
You might assume that after 40 years with Crowded House, Neil Finn would've done it all. But then you see a viral video where he's singing Don't Dream It's Over with pop star Dua Lipa and you think, hmm, that's unexpected. 'I just got an email, turns out she and her father, who manages her, are big fans. I was very happy to be asked,' says Finn about being invited onstage by Lipa at her gig in Auckland in April. 'I happen to have an affection for her music, in part because my grandsons Buddy and Manaia danced to Houdini and Levitating all summer. I like her stuff and I like her, she emanates something really positive and good and she was a delight.' Also unexpected? That there are somehow places left in Australia that Crowded House have never yet managed to play. It's partly the reason the band will headline Red Hot Summer, a touring festival that'll take them through regional Australia this October and November, alongside acts like The Church, Angus & Julia Stone, and old acquaintances Mark Seymour and Vika & Linda. 'It's going to be quite a hanging-out-with-the-family kind of vibe, a pretty tight crew getting around to some interesting parts of Australia that we haven't been to for years or sometimes ever,' says Finn. 'There's a bit of extra excitement in the audience when you turn up in a place that's off the beaten track a little bit, where they don't necessarily get things like this. We're pleased to be part of that, and we aim to make it an unforgettable night'. Ever the ageing muso with his tousled grey hair, horn-rimmed glasses and pilling green jumper, Finn, 67 – Zooming from his sun-dappled writing room in Auckland – says he's a creature of habit when it comes to music these days. 'I have a fairly strict life. Not 'strict' because I love it, but a routine of coming into this room here every day and just exploring,' he says. He's been getting new songs going for Crowded House's next album, which he hopes to record in August, with the same lineup – his sons Liam and Elroy, and super-producer Mitch Froom on keyboards – established on 2021's acclaimed comeback Dreamers Are Waiting and last year's Gravity Stairs.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Lake Mac Choir lend their voices to honour the memory of Zoe Wright
Singing was Zoe Wright's happy place. Over the past year, the Lake Mac Choir was somewhere Zoe could meet with friends and momentarily put her mental health struggles aside and enjoy the beauty of sharing music with like-minded people. Sadly, on May 14, the Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue volunteer lost her battle with depression. She was 50. Her friends at the Lake Mac Choir are using their voices on Wednesday to ensure that Zoe is not forgotten. Lake Mac Choir is dedicating their performances at 10am and 6pm at the Caves Beach Bar and Bungalows to Zoe's memory and are raising money for Lifeline. The performance will include a special arrangement of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, a song requested by Zoe for her funeral on May 26. Zoe's husband and Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie unit commander, Jim Wright, said his wife would be touched by the dedication. "She loved going to the choir," Mr Wright said. "It made her happy and she enjoyed the people that were there. "She'd look forward to it every week when it was on. She was a little annoyed when they had to stop for holidays." Shay Perry, the director of Lake Macquarie tuition school Sunny Music Studios, launched Lake Mac Choir in February 2024 and Zoe was among the inaugural members. Ms Perry said the goal of the choir was to make "music super accessible" to people who otherwise thought their "time had passed with music." The choir has performed everything from rock classics like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac and Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over to modern pop songs by Billie Eilish. "Zoe stopped coming for a few weeks and I knew she had struggled a bit and it was pretty normal for her to have a few weeks off and then come back and be as happy as ever," Ms Perry said. Members of the Lake Mac Choir missed Zoe's funeral, so Ms Perry said it was an opportunity for the group to pay their respects. "I've always said that music is not prejudiced and has the ability to connect people who otherwise might not have connected," she said. "When you add in singing, we're all doing something that we love and have in common. "Take away singing, and this is a group of my favourite people now. It's extraordinary the way the community comes together." Earlier this week, the CEO of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, Bradley Dunn, described the mental health statistics in the Hunter as "alarming." More than 480 people died by suicide in the Hunter between 2019 and 2023, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data. There were also more than 21,000 presentations to Hunter New England emergency departments for mental health issues in 2023-24, the third-highest per capita among NSW's 14 health districts. Singing was Zoe Wright's happy place. Over the past year, the Lake Mac Choir was somewhere Zoe could meet with friends and momentarily put her mental health struggles aside and enjoy the beauty of sharing music with like-minded people. Sadly, on May 14, the Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue volunteer lost her battle with depression. She was 50. Her friends at the Lake Mac Choir are using their voices on Wednesday to ensure that Zoe is not forgotten. Lake Mac Choir is dedicating their performances at 10am and 6pm at the Caves Beach Bar and Bungalows to Zoe's memory and are raising money for Lifeline. The performance will include a special arrangement of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, a song requested by Zoe for her funeral on May 26. Zoe's husband and Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie unit commander, Jim Wright, said his wife would be touched by the dedication. "She loved going to the choir," Mr Wright said. "It made her happy and she enjoyed the people that were there. "She'd look forward to it every week when it was on. She was a little annoyed when they had to stop for holidays." Shay Perry, the director of Lake Macquarie tuition school Sunny Music Studios, launched Lake Mac Choir in February 2024 and Zoe was among the inaugural members. Ms Perry said the goal of the choir was to make "music super accessible" to people who otherwise thought their "time had passed with music." The choir has performed everything from rock classics like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac and Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over to modern pop songs by Billie Eilish. "Zoe stopped coming for a few weeks and I knew she had struggled a bit and it was pretty normal for her to have a few weeks off and then come back and be as happy as ever," Ms Perry said. Members of the Lake Mac Choir missed Zoe's funeral, so Ms Perry said it was an opportunity for the group to pay their respects. "I've always said that music is not prejudiced and has the ability to connect people who otherwise might not have connected," she said. "When you add in singing, we're all doing something that we love and have in common. "Take away singing, and this is a group of my favourite people now. It's extraordinary the way the community comes together." Earlier this week, the CEO of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, Bradley Dunn, described the mental health statistics in the Hunter as "alarming." More than 480 people died by suicide in the Hunter between 2019 and 2023, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data. There were also more than 21,000 presentations to Hunter New England emergency departments for mental health issues in 2023-24, the third-highest per capita among NSW's 14 health districts. Singing was Zoe Wright's happy place. Over the past year, the Lake Mac Choir was somewhere Zoe could meet with friends and momentarily put her mental health struggles aside and enjoy the beauty of sharing music with like-minded people. Sadly, on May 14, the Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue volunteer lost her battle with depression. She was 50. Her friends at the Lake Mac Choir are using their voices on Wednesday to ensure that Zoe is not forgotten. Lake Mac Choir is dedicating their performances at 10am and 6pm at the Caves Beach Bar and Bungalows to Zoe's memory and are raising money for Lifeline. The performance will include a special arrangement of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, a song requested by Zoe for her funeral on May 26. Zoe's husband and Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie unit commander, Jim Wright, said his wife would be touched by the dedication. "She loved going to the choir," Mr Wright said. "It made her happy and she enjoyed the people that were there. "She'd look forward to it every week when it was on. She was a little annoyed when they had to stop for holidays." Shay Perry, the director of Lake Macquarie tuition school Sunny Music Studios, launched Lake Mac Choir in February 2024 and Zoe was among the inaugural members. Ms Perry said the goal of the choir was to make "music super accessible" to people who otherwise thought their "time had passed with music." The choir has performed everything from rock classics like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac and Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over to modern pop songs by Billie Eilish. "Zoe stopped coming for a few weeks and I knew she had struggled a bit and it was pretty normal for her to have a few weeks off and then come back and be as happy as ever," Ms Perry said. Members of the Lake Mac Choir missed Zoe's funeral, so Ms Perry said it was an opportunity for the group to pay their respects. "I've always said that music is not prejudiced and has the ability to connect people who otherwise might not have connected," she said. "When you add in singing, we're all doing something that we love and have in common. "Take away singing, and this is a group of my favourite people now. It's extraordinary the way the community comes together." Earlier this week, the CEO of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, Bradley Dunn, described the mental health statistics in the Hunter as "alarming." More than 480 people died by suicide in the Hunter between 2019 and 2023, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data. There were also more than 21,000 presentations to Hunter New England emergency departments for mental health issues in 2023-24, the third-highest per capita among NSW's 14 health districts. Singing was Zoe Wright's happy place. Over the past year, the Lake Mac Choir was somewhere Zoe could meet with friends and momentarily put her mental health struggles aside and enjoy the beauty of sharing music with like-minded people. Sadly, on May 14, the Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue volunteer lost her battle with depression. She was 50. Her friends at the Lake Mac Choir are using their voices on Wednesday to ensure that Zoe is not forgotten. Lake Mac Choir is dedicating their performances at 10am and 6pm at the Caves Beach Bar and Bungalows to Zoe's memory and are raising money for Lifeline. The performance will include a special arrangement of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, a song requested by Zoe for her funeral on May 26. Zoe's husband and Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie unit commander, Jim Wright, said his wife would be touched by the dedication. "She loved going to the choir," Mr Wright said. "It made her happy and she enjoyed the people that were there. "She'd look forward to it every week when it was on. She was a little annoyed when they had to stop for holidays." Shay Perry, the director of Lake Macquarie tuition school Sunny Music Studios, launched Lake Mac Choir in February 2024 and Zoe was among the inaugural members. Ms Perry said the goal of the choir was to make "music super accessible" to people who otherwise thought their "time had passed with music." The choir has performed everything from rock classics like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac and Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over to modern pop songs by Billie Eilish. "Zoe stopped coming for a few weeks and I knew she had struggled a bit and it was pretty normal for her to have a few weeks off and then come back and be as happy as ever," Ms Perry said. Members of the Lake Mac Choir missed Zoe's funeral, so Ms Perry said it was an opportunity for the group to pay their respects. "I've always said that music is not prejudiced and has the ability to connect people who otherwise might not have connected," she said. "When you add in singing, we're all doing something that we love and have in common. "Take away singing, and this is a group of my favourite people now. It's extraordinary the way the community comes together." Earlier this week, the CEO of Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Suicide Prevention Network, Bradley Dunn, described the mental health statistics in the Hunter as "alarming." More than 480 people died by suicide in the Hunter between 2019 and 2023, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data. There were also more than 21,000 presentations to Hunter New England emergency departments for mental health issues in 2023-24, the third-highest per capita among NSW's 14 health districts.
