Just wondering what everyone's favourite post-'reformation' show so far - which show would you pick and why? Maybe we could figure out what makes a CH show really special... (although we know every show is unique!)

My favorite show would have to be the 2nd night at the Orpheum in LA. The band's energy was what set it apart and of course the music. When trying to figure out what made this the best show for me, it is difficult to pinpoint. It had to be the energy. Another factor is the small venue and great view. I was fortunate to be able to attend 5 shows since the reformation and the bigger venues never are as rockin' for me.

Winnipeg! The only one I saw. But it got picked for the Australia live disk, so the band must have thought it to be the best one. And we would not argue with Neil and the boys would we?

The Outsider was special for me, it was one of the earlyish gigs and it was just a huge thrill to see them bounce back on stage as I'd last seen them 13 years ago.

Glasgow last December was a brilliant night, full of banter, unexpected happenings such as Neil's circuit of the arena, the great atmosphere in the crowd, the live recording, ok I could go on and on........... Glasgow wins.

Mine would have to be the first night at Somerville Theatre this past May. We got such an amazing mix of obscurities once Neil decided to try to play all the songs he's written with someone's name in it. It was just an all-around special show that night.

Though, last year's Foxwoods show is definitely a close second, I mean how often does Crowded House share their fish and chips with the audience?

Minneapolis rocked!

Agreed renzo, LOVED Winnipeg (the only bad part was leaving a group of my gorgeous road trip Frenz behind in Edmonton)not too say you guys who were with me in Winnipeg are'nt gorgeous and Neil asking me which of the concerts should go onto the live TOE cd....okay so he would have asked other people too but you know, made me feel special. Even if I can hear myself on Private Universe *hides*. Those versions of Your The One and BBHS were sublime beyond words,Private Uni and Not The Girl(my requests)and part of Helpless.Plus of course meeting the guys again after the show to say my goodbyes

And the three show at the Leigh Sawmill this Feb,just WOW from start to finish.they are going to be very tough to beat for me...a dream venue,those new songs,our score cards and Buzzy Bee,Neil sitting and laying on the piano,all the stories. Ahhhhh bliss

quote:

My favorite show would have to be the 2nd night at the Orpheum in LA.

For me it's a tie between the 2nd show in LA May 17 and the 1st show in SF MAY 14.

I can't remember why I liked the 1st show in SF so much but I did. Probably because it had been like 17 years since I had seen them so close. For the 2nd show in LA, in Neil's words, "We went a little crazy that night." It was like an hour longer than some other shows were on the same tour. I am guessing it's because they have family in the audience there usually.

Thekla Club in Bristol. For all the following:

The first full gig after reforming and to not many people

Meeting some great Frenz there and happily queing up in the cold outside the boat

Amazing atmosphere and singalong city

My wife and I were at the front row on the far right side, nearest to Nick and it was my wife's first Crowded House show (she saw Neil solo and the Finn Bros but nothing prepared her for the genius of the band)

quote:

Originally posted by Finfan:
Thekla Club in Bristol. For all the following:

The first full gig after reforming and to not many people

Meeting some great Frenz there and happily queing up in the cold outside the boat

Amazing atmosphere and singalong city

My wife and I were at the front row on the far right side, nearest to Nick and it was my wife's first Crowded House show (she saw Neil solo and the Finn Bros but nothing prepared her for the genius of the band)

Know what you mean Finfan about meeting fellow Frenz. It was wonderful at Salzburg, where I was this time exactly four weeks ago to the second, jumping around, singing, smiling away and totally rocking out in the front row! ). Liverpool was fantastic too as well and only five weeks ago tomorrow. Still as fresh as yesterday for me! Both top awesome nights and yes CH did rock the party both times I will say! So that's my favs for this year. Plus actually meeting the guys at Salzburg and the tiny venue sort of gives Salzburg the slight edge over Liverpool. So many wonderful memories...(stares wistfully at signed tea towel and pictures on wall and desktop..).

Last year for me, Manchester is up there and Birmingham too.

Hope this is not too OT (not really so here goes), but I cannot wait until the next lot of dates are announced as I want to head off to new places to see 'em do their wonderful thing in a new venue and be doing this same here thing this time next year. I really liked how the US shows sounded and the Aussie ones to last year. I don't think there can be a bad show can there!

Now what would be the best shows for next year would be some 'Frenz only' special shows, say a handful in each part of the world - Australia, New Zealand, Asia (are there any of us Frenz out there? Would the guys like to go to China or Vietnam perhaps?), South America, the USA and Canada, not sure about Africa (perhaps Neil might go for that one) and of course on the Continent too. Now, as us UK folk are aware, there is a difference between a gig on the Continent (meaning Europe) and one in the UK as they are two different things and are not the same, so the UK shows would not be classed as Europe!! Ha ha!!!

Those would surely be the best shows of 2009 I reckon!!!

My favorite show was Portland, Oregon on September 2, 2007. The only reason that it's my favorite show is that it's the one show so far I've seen.

The Artists Den show in New York - July 2007. (Can't remember the exact date now.)

That was hands down the best CH show I've seen so far, and I saw 6 on that tour last year (including the fan club show in Auckland).

The vibe was just wonderful, the band was in top form, and I was so completely into it.

I didn't see any of the US shows on this last go-round, so I can't compare how they've progressed with how they were last summer.

quote:

Originally posted by aikakone:
My favorite show was Portland, Oregon on September 2, 2007. The only reason that it's my favorite show is that it's the one show so far I've seen.

that's a good reason! I loved that show, too (I think of it as "my birthday show...") but I have to say that my favorites (it's a tie) were:

-the Glass House show, cos: 1) it ROCKED and 2) it was SO COOL to see Crowded House bound out onto the stage after a long long absence

and

-Bumbershoot. two words: Eddie Vedder!!!

I have two favourites...

The first Dublin show in June (at the Ambassador). It was just a great, fun performance. I brought a friend who really didn't know much CH and he left the gig saying over and over, "They rocked out!" Also the huge sense of relief when it occurred to me that the loooong queue of septuagenarians at the taxi rank on O'Connell Street were going home from the Neil Diamond show at Croke Park...I've been a bit self-conscious at ALL the 2007/08 gigs about how old we're all looking!

And the last Dublin show in June at the Olympia because I had dinner next door at my favourite restaurant, front row seats, and, for once, I had fabulous aim and managed to peg Neil in the knees with my request (on an origami frog - no need for airplanes so close) for "Now We're Getting Somewhere."

glasgow - awesome - neils lap of the auditorium,and i finally got to take my mum and dad to see the crowdies.

- of the 3 I attended,

3rd place goes to Thetford. Great sound but poor crowd and nightmare to get in/out

2nd slot goes to RAH - great view from the circle, band in triumphant form, lots of rarer songs played and great trick with the roadies

But top prize goes to Brighton - fantastic 3rd row seats, great setlist/banter and, thanks to Tine, the bizarre spectacle of the floor rising as one part-way through "Whispers & Moans"!

Oooo, this is a toughie. I'd say it's a three way tie with the Santa Barbara Bowl show in Aug 2007 b/c it was my first Crowdie show since Together Alone tour in the 90's, and towards the end of the evening a bunch of us got down close to the stage and danced away.
The other two would be the 2 LA Orpheum shows. The first night was great sitting smack dab in the middle of the front row and looking up and seeing Neil so close. The second night at LA was great with the energy of the band.

The Greek show in LA in Aug/Sept 2007 was good, but the venue was a bit too large for the intimate band.

All the shows I've been to over the years (+19 years) have been really special in their own unique way.

2007 - it has to be Paris (small, intimate venue)

2008 - Sherwood Forest - one of the most idyllic settings, weather stayed kind and mood evening skies

What makes a CH show really special for me is if I am there!

Sherwood Forest was fantastic. Great atmosphere. All the right mix of things - good banter.

I thought MEN arena nov 07 was a bit 'slow' in comparison - in that I don't think the audience were really into it.