Neil Finn interview: Radio Hauraki 21/7/14
Dizzy Heights NZ Tour
Updated 3/9/14
Dizzy Heights New Zealand Tour
With special guest: Bic Runga
Brent Eccles Entertainment is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated tour by one of New Zealand’s favourite performers and songwriters, the highly successful and much lauded: Neil Finn.
Neil will be accompanied by his latest six piece ensemble. The new band (including wiife Sharon, Alistair Deverick of the Ruby Suns, Jesse Sheehan, Andrew Everding, Lisa Tomlins of Rhombus and Finn) will perform new material from Finn’s critically acclaimed album Dizzy Heights as well as a swag of songs from his vast retrospective catalogue. Including Crowded House, Split Enz, Finn Brothers and his own solo works.
The recent four month Dizzy Heights world tour has seen Neil performing for over two hours a night. The shows have received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. The 2014 world tour has played shows in Australia, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Dubai and Amsterdam so far and these limited local dates are a continuation of that full production .
‘Dizzy Heights formed the backbone of a hybrid show that melded new material with a greatest hits package which clearly delighted fans old and new.’ – Nottingham Post, UK.
‘Finn certainly cut a wide swathe, chronologically and stylistically. That emotionally resonant voice remains in top shape, and the (still rather youthful-looking) 55-year-old reaffirmed he’s a fluent guitarist, too.’ – Exclaim Magazine, Canada.
‘On tour to celebrate the release of his latest solo studio recording ‘Dizzy Heights’, Melbourne’s Hamer Hall was treated to a captivating two hour set of gems from the past and his latest critically acclaimed work.’ – Take40Australia.com
Neil’s special guest opening these shows will be Bic Runga. New Zealand born singer/songwriter Bic has been awarded many music accolades since her first top ten hit ‘Drive’, released back in 1996.  Bic is currently working on her as yet unnamed fifth album. These will be her first New Zealand shows since 2011’s The Acoustic Church tour.
Napier, Municipal Theatre
Thursday 18th September 2014
Tickets on sale now through Ticketek
Wellington, Opera House
Friday 19th September 2014
Tickets on sale now through Ticketek
Auckland, The Powerstation
Saturday 20th September 2014
Tickets have SOLD OUT through Ticketmaster
Dunedin, Regent Theatre
Friday 26th September 2014
Free show presented by iHeartRadio and 2degrees. Register at www.iHeartRadio.co.nz for your chance to win tickets.
The competition link for tickets is: http://iheartradio.net.nz/win/iheartradio-presents-neil-finn!/
Update, 3rd September: Entry for the iHeartRadio draw is now closed. Entry for the 2degrees draw closes 14 September and is drawn 15 September. Winners of both draws will be emailed.
Christchurch, CBS Canterbury Arena
Saturday 27th September 2014
Free show presented by iHeartRadio and 2degrees. Register at www.iHeartRadio.co.nz for your chance to win tickets.
The competition link for tickets is: http://iheartradio.net.nz/win/iheartradio-presents-neil-finn!/
Update, 3rd September: Entry for the iHeartRadio draw is now closed. Entry for the 2degrees draw closes 14 September and is drawn 15 September. Winners of both draws will be emailed.
Tiny Ruins video made by Neil
Tiny Ruins joined Neil Finn’s “Dizzy Heights” tour in Europe as support artist and musician in Neil’s band. The video “Me At The Museum, You In The Wintergardens” premiered today on NPR and was shot and edited by Neil.
Music site cheeseontoast includes this statement from Neil:
”I’ve been enjoying making little films and was carrying a Pelican case with me on the road, setting up for editing in hotel rooms and the back of the bus. One night I discovered a few images which seemed to suit the atmosphere of this song, so just started making a video without even being asked. The next day I asked her if I could film her singing it at soundcheck and in the show and placed these images left and right. I like the way her hair is crumpled for soundcheck and all smoothed out at the show. I’m glad Hollie likes it and wants people to see it but I would have been happy just making it anyway.”
The True Story of Sandy Allen
Neil wrote a song about Sandy Allen for Split Enz’s 1982 album Time and Tide. Here’s the story of her life, beautifully written by another Sandra Allen:
Buzzfeed.com : The Sad True Story Of Sandy Allen, The Tallest Woman In The World.
– Team NF
BIGSOUND – Brisbane, Sept 10th
Neil opens BIGSOUND in Brisbane with an address on 10th September 2014. He’ll be discussing his career from Split Enz through to Crowded House, solo albums and other projects.
See more details at themusic.com.au and the BIGSOUND website.
Last Day of June (Finn Brothers live in Sydney, 1996)
Not great video quality, but the audio should make up for it.
Dizzy Heights merchandise
The Neil Finn Webstore is now selling Dizzy Heights T-shirts, tea towels and tote bags. Other items beginning with T may be considered in the future!
We also have Dizzy Heights on CD, vinyl and download, plus a range of Crowded House CDs.
Neil Finn on Soundcheck, WNYC
Stream “Neil Finn Live on Soundcheck”. This was originally broadcast on WNYC, April 8th, 2014. Or download the mp3 here.
Split Enz hosting Countdown, 1983
Excerpts from Countdown, 1983. Split Enz were guest hosts. See Neil breakdance (kinda) and get his kit off (sorta.) Thanks to Peter and Mark at the Official Split Enz Facebook page.
Whispers and Moans
A clever modification by the guitar’s owner Andrew Ronayne. “My Gibson Les Paul, modded in honour of one of my favourite Crowdies songs. The original switch plate read ‘Rhythm/Treble’.”
Watch Crowded House performing “Whispers and Moans” in 1991 on the Video page.
– Team NF
June 2014 Newsletter
Click here to view the latest newsletter from neilfinn.com .
To subscribe to future newsletters, click here.
Lost In Music review of Together Alone
John Meager revisits “Together Alone” by Crowded House at www.independent.ie
You can hear the album, watch the videos and read the lyrics here.
Lisa Tomlins talks about travelling on the Dizzy Heights Tour
Backing vocalist Lisa Tomlins spoke to Radio New Zealand’s Bryan Crump on Tuesday about touring the world with Neil Finn, band and crew on the Dizzy Heights Tour.
Crowded House – Instinct demo
From demo sessions at York Street Studios in July 1995, here’s the original Crowded House recording of “Instinct”, featuring Peter Jones on drums. This demo was first published on the Farewell to the World DVD in 2006.
Hear more demos and rarities from Neil Finn, Crowded House, Split Enz and more on The Kitchen Sink collections, streaming exclusively on neilfinn.com. We’re adding to them regularly so keep checking in.
Team Neil Finn.
Dizzy Heights tour – Lighting design
Jands Lighting has a small feature on Neil’s lighting designer, David Harding.
Head towards the light at http://jands.com/archive-4044/neil-finn-dizzy-heights-tour/
Dizzy Heights review – Strike Magazine
Strike Magazine have posted a review of Neil’s latest album Dizzy Heights:
http://strikemagazine.co.uk/2014/06/04/hitting-dizzy-heights/
Spotify Sessions (EP)
Six songs live, recorded exclusively for Spotify.
Happy birthday, Neil!
“Thanks for all your birthday wishes¦.the sun is out , the bread is fresh and I met the bees that made the honey” – Neil Finn.
Scroll down to see a special video made by Mark Goulding for the Official Split Enz Facebook page. We’re nicking it for the Diary.
The NF Team
Interviews – May 2014
23 May | Back to Diary
Interviews – May 2014
Update 23rd May 2014
Sunday World : Neil Finn an Irish soul
Updated 21st May 2014
Finnatics: interview with Neil Finn in Berlin
This interview can be translated into English by opening in Google Chrome or by using another online translator.
Updated 13th May 2014
Gulf News: Neil Finn doesn’t dream it’s over
The National: Neil Finn chats ahead of his show at The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
7 Days in Dubai: Crowded House, Split Enz man plays down abilities
Updated 12th May 2014
Time Out Dubai: Neil Finn pledges to write ‘200 songs in ten years’.
Updated 6th May 2014
Peter Scavemaker recently interviewed Neil Finn for Dutch radio station KXradio.
Updated 2nd May 2014
Irish Examiner: Same man, different sounds for Neil Finn
Updated 1st May 2014
Hollie Fullbrook, aka Tiny Ruins, is travelling the UK and Europe in Neil Finn’s band and is also the support act. Today the NZ Herald published the first week of her diary from the road (and air):
Tiny Ruins – Trains, planes and performing for Jools.
Here’s Sunday World’s interview with Neil Finn about his Irish connections. Neil plays Cork Opera House tonight.
http://www.sundayworld.com/entertainment/music/exclusive-neil-finn-in-cork-tonight