The Finn Brothers

Tuesday 26th October 2004, Liverpool Empire Theatre

Not the best of days to perform a gig in Liverpool, What with the passing of John Peel, but New Zealand’s finest certainly are what’s required to lift the mood of any crowd

Supported by Minnie Driver, the Hollywood Actress seemed to be visibly nervous during her 30 minute set. The music was pleasant enough in an inoffensive way - musical wallpaper. It was listenable but it didn’t make you want to rush out and buy the album.

The brothers Neil and Tim Finn took to the stage and before the rest of the band joined them they played a couple of new tunes from their latest album ‘Everyone is Here’.

The new album is a quality collection of songs from the Finn’s; from the latest single ‘Won’t Give In’ which has all the Finn trademarks – a cracking melody and an unexpected twist in the tune towards the end. ‘Edible Flowers’ is also a potential classic and was performed tonight immaculately.

All points of the duos careers were also visited, Split Enz classics such as ‘I Got You’ ‘Six Months in a Leaky Boat and Crowded House hits such as ‘Weather with You’ and ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ were played much to the delight of the crowd.

The surprise of the night came when Manchester’s finest Johnny Marr took the stage, accompanied by good-natured boos – because of his Mancunian heritage, to join his friend Neil Finn for a rendition of The Smiths ‘There is a Light That Never Goes Out’.

As this was the day that Peel died, Neil Finn had remarked about the passing, whilst doing so a member of the audience called out to Marr to play The Undertones ‘Teenage Kicks’, Marr duly obliged with an impromptu rendition that almost brought the house down, it was rough and ready in a style that Peel would have admired. Marr admitted afterwards he’d played it in the wrong key and this gave him problems when it came to singing the song.

Neil Finn gigs are never really a passive experience for the audience and more often than not he will make his way into the crowd or beckon them forward. Tonight he incurred the Roth of the Liverpool Empire security when he did so.

A great night of music after what could be argued as the worst day for music what with Peel’s passing.