Melbourne formed Australian rock legends; Crowded House descended on Cardiff Castle last night. Bringing a mixture of their signature 80’s sound and new work, the Welsh capitol felt awash in ethereal dreamy melodies and timeless classics. The latest in the Depot summer series promised much and delivered in every way.
Crowded House, now in their third iteration after their initialhiatus in 1996, arrived in Cardiff off the back of their eighth studio album proving that their decade spanning career is still very much in it’s prime. With support from lead singer Neil Finn’s son Liam Finn and with the staggering backdrop of the castle, the packed crowd were in for a treat.
Liam Finn joined the latest iteration of Crowded House in 2020 but took to the stage in his own right before the headline act to perform work from his impressive solo career. It can always be tricky to get a crowd on their feet and dancing in the Castle, as many tend to sit on the grass while they wait for the main act, but Liam brought an unexpected level of energy for a solo act. He bounced between genre’s and showed an impressive vocal range. Plus, he wore a fantastic multicoloured shirt, so it was top marks all round.
Onto the main act, and the show that Crowded House put together seemed to have it all. Well worn classics like Fall At Your Feet got the crowd hyped early on while new hit Teenage Summer paved the way for a journey through the decades, starting in the 80’s right up to the present day. With such an impressive back catalogue it’s easy to see how the band has stood the test of time. But it’s the music since their return in 2020 that has earned them top billing in the Castle this summer. It’s a rare thing to see a band continue to generate hits after such a long career and it was humbling to see a range of generations amongst the crowd, as well as on stage as father son duo Neil and Liam now perform side by side. Their line up may have evolved over the years, but the atmosphere Crowded House generated this summer solstice felt evergreen.
The Aussie band definitely brought the weather with them which, along with their quips and stories in between songsand the beautiful full moon hanging over the Castle, helped to give the evening a magical air. As did several spellbinding moments through the night where the crowd and Neil sang acapella, showcasing the long known fact that Welsh audiences have the best pipes in the world. Don’t Dream It’s Over followed by Weather With You topped off an incredible evening of music, only to have the bar raised even higher by an encore including a cover of David Bowie’s Heroes, and emotional farewell song Better Be Home Soon.
The Depot’s summer Castle series has got off to a sensational start, and there are so many incredible acts to come. But it’s hard to imagine how any could top the sheer joy and emotional highs of Crowded House. They are welcome to come back and blow us away again any time!
