Features
Split Enz To Reunite
The dates will run from June 7-16, with shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and the band’s base of Melbourne, where it moved after forming in New Zealand in 1972.
Split Enz will tour in a lineup that will look familiar to anyone who caught the band in their early ‘80s heyday. Enz 2006 will comprise the Finn brothers – Tim and Neil, Eddie Rayner, Noel Crombie, Nigel Griggs and Malcolm Green. The group performed several songs at the February 1 press conference in Melbourne announcing the tour.
Tim Finn said that despite a total of 13 lineup changes over the band’s original 12-year history, the re-formed group will be the 1980 version that recorded the breakout True Colours album.
“I think (this line-up) built up a ‘critical mass’,” Finn said. “Some of the other line-ups were much more erratic and temporary. This one felt like a real band.”
Although the group’s farewell tour took place in 1984, Split Enz has had a few brief reunions over the years. Most recently, the group got back together to perform at its hall of fame induction ceremony during the 2005 ARIA Music Awards.
Tickets for the shows go onsale on February 22.
With any luck, the band will employ some of the stage theatrics that made the Enz such an endearing live act.
The group’s fantastic new-wave- goes-to-the-circus costumes were designed by Noel Crombie, who also designed most of the stage sets, artwork, and album covers, as well as directing many of the band’s music videos.