Stage Buzz: Crowded House at Ravinia • Highland Park

Brassneck | September 4, 2024

Crowded House arrives at Ravinia on Wednesday, September 11.

Neil Finn is justifiably recognized as one of his generation’s finest purveyors of tuneful pop. He’s had his biggest impact with adoring audiences alongside founding bandmate Nick Seymour in Crowded House.

Hailing from Australia and New Zealand, the group made its major international splash with the mesmerizing crooner and singalong juggernaut “Don’t Dream It’s Over” in 1986, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The charming jangle of “Something So Strong” followed soon afterward. Ensuing albums offered other favorites like the wickedly catchy and acid-tongued “Chocolate Cake” in duet with brother and former Split Enz bandmate Tim Finn, as well as swooning love songs like “Fall at Your Feet,” the wistful “Better Be Home Soon,” and barrelhouse rocker “Locked Out.”After a breakup in 1996, Finn’s solo career took the forefront with a string of beloved albums, including Try Whistling This and One Nil. Crowded House reunited to record and tour behind 2007’s Time on Earth and 2010’s Intriguer before disbanding again.

Among other side projects, Finn joined Fleetwood Mac in 2018-2019 for a year of touring in Lindsey Buckingham’s spot as vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Crowded House reignited in 2019 and released Dreamers Are Waiting in 2021 after sharing many songs with fans via Finn’s podcasts on Mixlr during the pandemic lockdown. The group’s latest work is this year’s Gravity Stairs, hailed frequently as the band’s best collection since 1993’s Together Alone. The lineup now includes Finn, Seymour, producer/keyboardist Mitchell Froom, and Finn’s sons Elroy and Liam. Singles, including the optimistic “Oh Hi,” sun-kissed “Teenage Summer,” and the twanging surf-pop of “The Howl” are contemplative and dreamlike while maintaining Crowded House’s signature acoustic and melodic pop charms. The band performs at Ravinia Festival on Wednesday, September 11. (ravinia.org)