Split Enz, the group that helped define the course of music in Australia and New Zealand, are reuniting and hitting the road this June for an Australian tour that Frenz fans have only dreamed of.
This June the True Colours lineup (that produced smash hit I Got You) of Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner, Noel Crombie, Nigel Griggs, and Malcolm Green will bring the inimitable style of Split Enz to arena stages in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.
Audiences can expect to be treated to a typically extravagant - full of hits - Split Enz concert but The Frontier Touring Company’s Michael Gudinski says fans should also be prepared for some surprises.
“I’m thrilled that Frontier are promoting Split Enz’s upcoming tour. They were one of the greatest acts of all time on the Mushroom label.
“Split Enz have had so many hits throughout their career that they are icons here. I have every expectation that fans will be on their feet all night singing along – as I will be. Split Enz define the 70s and 80s for so many Australians so this is going to be the ultimate gig for these people.”
It has also been confirmed that Noel Crombie will once again take up the double mantle of band member and stylist/set designer. So be prepared for some classic Split Enz costumes with a bit of ’06 flair and a return of the famous spoons!
Split Enz have defied critics repeatedly, surviving thirteen lineup changes throughout their twelve year career, while securing numerous number one albums and singles in Australia and New Zealand. Canadians embraced them with three number one album spots, while the UK, Holland, Belgium, Israel and Spain all saw the band chart into the Top Ten.
In Australia albums Dizrythmia, Frenzy, Conflicting Emotions and Spellbound all went Gold, while Time & Tide went 2 x Platinum, Corroboree 3 x Platinum and True Colours 5 x Platinum.
Their fans are amongst the most dedicated in the world, with the band’s official fanclub, Frenz of the Enz, boasting 15,000 paying members from across the globe. In recent years, the membership has increased notably as younger and younger fans have discovered the timeless appeal of Split Enz’s music.
The members of Split Enz frequently referred to Australia as their second home, and there is no doubt that Aussies embraced them in return, according the band a cult status that few other bands can rival. In 1975 the band performed at Ormond Hall as part of Reefer Cabaret. The gig was to be a turning point in the band’s career and from there they went on to sell an impressive 1.2 million albums in Australia alone.
The last time Split Enz reunited was to perform at their induction into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2005. Prior to that the band performed a one-off concert on New Year’s Eve in New Zealand for the Millennium. The June tour of Australia will be their first concert tour of this magnitude since the farewell Enz With A Bang! Tour in 1984.
Confirmed as very special guests for the entire tour are the next generation of New Zealand brother singer-songwriters Evermore who shot to fame in Australia on the back of their hit platinum album Dreams (Warner). Their sophomore is due out early June.
With one date only per city, tickets to see Split Enz this June aren’t expected to last long.
