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Split Enz: Bigger Hair, Bigger Shows?
9 May
Summary
- Split Enz embarks on their first tour since 2009, sparking reunion speculation.
- A new box set, vinyl reissues, and a coffee-table book fuel global interest.
- The band's iconic visual style, inspired by vaudeville and circus acts, remains central.
New Zealand's pioneering rock group Split Enz has launched their 'Forever Enz' tour, marking their first live performances together since 2009. Bandleaders Tim Finn and Noel Crombie, both in their early 70s, are resting in Wellington following a show there and preparing for a hometown performance in Auckland. This tour, potentially the band's last, comes amid a global resurgence of interest.
Several factors contribute to the renewed attention, including a new box set titled 'Enzyclopedia,' an 18-month rollout of vinyl reissues for their nine studio albums, and a forthcoming coffee-table book celebrating Crombie's distinctive visual designs. These releases have reignited demand for the band's unique blend of brainy, new wave hits.
The band's visual identity, characterized by exaggerated hair and avant-garde costumes inspired by vaudeville and circus acts rather than glam rock, was as crucial as their music. Crombie's visionary designs, which distorted traditional attire, created a cohesive and visually arresting spectacle that corresponded precisely with the band's sharp, attention-grabbing sound.
While a new studio album is a distant possibility, with Neil Finn remaining dedicated to Crowded House, the current focus is on performing their extensive catalog of hits. Both Finn and Crombie acknowledge the challenge of inhabiting songs written in their youth but find joy in the audience's enthusiastic response to energetic performances of tracks like 'I See Red.'
