I think it's pathetic that some idiot threw a bottle on stage, but...in today's society, what do you expect? If it had been a glass bottle and done some damage, I'm sure that wouldn't be the end of it. Even so, if RATM are aware of the incident, I'm sure they are embarrassed at the immaturity and patheticness of a 'small' section of their fans.
I'm hoping the show has been captured or will be archived somewhere as It would be great to see CH's first big gig back. Sounds like they played well.

quote:

Originally posted by sunset swimmer:
ok, do I understand this right? did some wanker hit Neil Finn in the face with a water bottle??? ugh, that breaks my heart.

Hit Neil's mic stand from what I can gather. I had a crystral clear audio feed throughout the entire Crowded House performance, but I couldn't actually see what was going on. Heard the bottle hit something loud and clear. Assumed (hoping more like) that it only made contact with the mic.

never got a chance to see the web cast of coachella - but am DISGUSTED to hear about what happened to neil.they listen to rage against the machine - what more can i say

i can't wait till the crowdies come to scotland on the 24th june - i'm sure they well get a fantastic reception there.

PLEASE GUYS DON'T LET A HAND FULL OF MORONS RUIN WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE THIS SHOULD BE FOR YOU

The webcast didn't come thru all that well for me, and I had tried on 2 different computers. LOTS of buffering, and I never saw the bottle throwing incident. But of what I did hear/see, I did enjoy. Loved seeing Liam jumping around like a maniac. At first I thought a fan had jumped on the stage, then realized it was Liam. Glad I got to see them at The Glass House on Friday.

Sunset Swimmer, I'm not sure whether the bottle itself hit Neil. He said at one point that the microphone stand went over and he was "collateral damage." He also commented that it had been a pretty good shot. When the bottle hit, I knew something had gone wrong, but I didn't figure out what had happened till he altered the DDIO lyrics. He sang something about a bottle not putting him off; does anybody recall the exact words?

Ironically, the bottle-throwing incident actually seemed to settle the band down. They definitely sounded nervous starting out. But I guess that once you know the crowd hates you, you don't have to worry about it anymore.

The set was wonderful. Though "When You Come" started out a bit slow and tentative, it built up beautifully, and my heart was racing by the time Neil nailed "burning and exploding." I'd watched some YouTube clips from the Bristol, Tempe, and Pomona shows earlier in the day, and the band is clearly becoming more solid with each show. The harmony sounded especially good tonight, though it was often mixed way down. I think Mark is singing out more now, and having Liam on board must help. I can't help wishing he would stick around for more of the tour; it's such a luxury having him with the band! I'd love him for his "crazed fan" act alone. Inspired, I tell you.

Looking back on everything, now that this little fan has calmed down alot since broadcast time, I think Crowded House really need to be commended for the way they handled the bottle throwing incident. There are some acts out there that would've either stormed off stage instead of continuing OR they would've said something nasty to the crowd.

Look at this quote from someone who posted on the Coachella message board dated [B]March 7th[/B. Looks like we might have seen this poor behaviour from some music 'fans' coming.

'Yeah, there's no way they're gonna put Air on the same stage as Rage...If they put Air on before Rage Against the Machine, I could see people chanting "Rage" during Air's set. They'll have the Roots and Manu Chao go before them. Air willll probably close the outdoor stage.'

Perhaps it was Crowded House's placement in the lineup that could have been better thought out. Either way, I'm sure they did themselves and we fans proud!

quote:

Originally posted by silvertongue:
Look at this quote from someone who posted on the Coachella message board dated [B]March 7th[/B. Looks like we might have seen this poor behaviour from some music 'fans' coming.

'Yeah, there's no way they're gonna put Air on the same stage as Rage...If they put Air on before Rage Against the Machine, I could see people chanting "Rage" during Air's set. They'll have the Roots and Manu Chao go before them. Air willll probably close the outdoor stage.'

Perhaps it was Crowded House's placement in the lineup that could have been better thought out. Either way, I'm sure they did themselves and we fans proud!

UURRRRGGGGGHHHHH that makes me sick to think that these poorly-behaved, rude people actually premeditated their disgraceful behaviour

Just shows what strength of character CH have for the way they handled themselves and the audience. My full respect to them

I am completely appalled and ashamed by the behavior of my countrymen. So sorry guys! Hopefully the warm and powerful receptions we gave you at the warm-ups kept it all in perspective for you. My deepest apologies for the cretinous behavior you were forced to endure.

Fortunately, given the reports, I missed the web-cast. Jet lag overtook me. I would like to catch it at some point though. Anyone capture?

The attblueroom.com site says, "Check back for the Coachella webcast archives." Maybe we'll be lucky.

As if the bottle incident wasn't enough, I have only just found out that a hand full of the audience were even giving Crowdie very rude gestures. Now I am well and truly greatful that I couldn't see it.

If you don't like the band/solo artist who is on before your own personal fave is still no reason to behave like that.

I acknowledge that there are people in the world whom can not stand Crowded House, but behaviour like that really sickens me.

Well said, Bold as Brass.

From what it looked like on the webcast, Neil got pegged with a 1/2 gallon opaque plastic jug, presumably filled with water but it looked like the kind in which milk is sold. It took out Neil's mic and nailed him in the chest.

As others have noted, it was a festival crowd gathered to see Rage Against The Machine. Undoubtably drinking adult beverages throughout the day.

My friend, Chris, always says how grossly underappreciated Crowded House are in this country. To be underappreciated is one thing, to be shown utter disrespect is another.

Glad to know the other shows in So Cal were well-attended by those who appreciate and honor the boys.

Beth

I think I can safely say that NO Crowded House fan could ever stoop to a level of stupidity as low as this. Having worked in music retail for all my working life, I can appreciate other people's tastes in music even if I don't like the band myself. I've endured some awful bands in my time but never dreamed of throwing missiles onto the stage. There is a line not to cross and these idiots crossed it. A band, no matter who they are and no matter how bad you think they are, have a right to do their job without being attacked in any way. I think the reason Neil and co didn't walk off stage was that he thought they would win if he did and there was no way he was going to let that happen. And there will have been people in the crowd who had bought a ticket to see Crowded House and he didn't want to let them down. These individuals are so narrow-minded that they cannot appreciate other people's tastes. They need to chill out, get their head from out of their arse and try listening to other forms of music.

I confess I was afraid of how the guys would be received as soon as I saw the Coachella lineup--it was an awkward fit. That said, and despite the ugliness of the crowd, there were some really great moments in the performance--they played the hell out of Silent House and Locked Out, and while this crowd wasn't going to appreciate Better Be Home Soon, the harmonies were fantastic.

I do wish they'd played In My Command, and I think When You Come was not a great choice for the opening in this setting, but even in this hostile setting they were consummate professionals and more. Well done, lads.

(When I saw Liam jumping around, the first thing I thought was "Soy Bomb"--anyone else?)

I think it's just heartbreaking to know that a band, such a wonderful, talented band like CH could be treated like that. And NEIL - do they know the brilliance of that man! That someone would disrepect him like that is beyond belief.

Even harder is for us dire hard fans who have to hear this, and wish we were there to support them

I imagine that it's difficult for most Australasians to realize how few people here in North America have any idea how talented CH is. While they're an institution there, they live in relative anonymity and are virtually ignored here. Many of the younger audience members attending Coachella had probably never even heard of CH.

This whole incident reminds me a bit of what Stevie Ray Vaughan endured at performance at Montreaux early in his career. He was essentially booed and heckled throughout his performance by fans not enamored with electric blues. However, Jackson Browne and David Bowie happened to be in the audience and recognized his genius. His career took off shortly after that time.

Hopefully, those who appreciate quality music had a similar opinion of the CH performance.

quote:

Originally posted by Davoiii:
Ahah Romer, we found that chat window at the same time... I was going to say something but you left so soon

Davoiii,

Sorry, man! I was just seeing if I could figure out how to get in to the chat room so I could answer that earlier question. I was trying to quickly figure it out so I could get to sleep after a late night. I didn't even notice who might be present.

No disrespect intended!

From John Walsh's blog :

Monday, April 30, 2007


Coachella

What a day, a long hot day, I'm sunburnt, tired and really need to sleep.
The band were great, played really well and by all accounts the sound was amazing, that's Jim that does the FOH sound, he's Radiohead's main man and he's now with us for awhile.
A funny thing though, a few songs into the set when I went to do a guitar change with Neil he says to me 'They haven't got a ****ing clue who we are' meaning the first 50 rows of teenagers waiting for 'Rage', hahaha...but at the end I heard them calling out 'respect respect', so I suppose that's ok.
And I did hear the crowd singing along to something, can't remember what song now.
Oh yeah, the bottle of water hit Neil's mic stand, not Neil but it was a bloody good shot. I'm glad it didn't hit him though, I hate it when dicks throw things.
For the record: I drank 13 litres of water today and pee'd twice, I kept count of the little half litre bottles and there were 26 of them by the time we left, I have never drunk so much water in all my life, goes to show how hot it was today.
I fly home tomorrow, would rather keep touring actually, going home doesn't excite me very much, but in a few weeks we all head off to England again so that's great.

I was able to view the live show thanks to the AT&T BlueRoom cast and my best friend’s awesome wireless connection.
I honestly agree with everything that has been said on this post and actually feel somewhat relieved just by reading what others have expressed regarding the “Coachella Incident”.
I got really upset by the deranged audacity of the freak who threw what looked like a milk bottle at Neil; although it was a good shot, as Neil himself later acknowledged, it didn’t hit him but it did knock his microphone off the stand. This was an embarrassing episode by all means. I’m not sure what could have triggered such an uncalled for reaction but can only guess that drugs and dehydration probably had a hand in it.
I wasn’t surprised of the rowdiness of the crowd. The Three-Day festival setting allows for all kind of wild and extreme behavior.
I commend Neil and the gang for showing true “Cojones”. It takes a great deal of balls to get up in front of such a huge crowd in a country that hasn’t always welcomed your music. They stud up there like the legends they are and put on an amazing show. The musical performance was tight and their stage presence was remarkable. I really enjoyed Liam’s addition both musically and acrobatically at some point he even looked like a younger Tim (standing next to the keyboards on Locked Out).
I think the experience will serve them as reference for future shows. I’m sure they’ll be laughing over this in no time (although it had to be disturbing at the time). Hey this may even result in the composition of a Chocolate Cake part II.
In the words of Tim (whom I expected to see on stage with the rest of them), Mucho Aroha guys!
Rock On! This stuff only makes you stronger and your music just keeps on getting better…

Didn't see the webcast as it was around 3-4am in the morning in the UK and boy do I need my beuty sleep! Can someone email me the link please?

It sounds like any band going up againts Rage was going to have a hard time. Its also a shame the Rage reunion has been featured on the NME website but not the CH re-union.

Neil and Co can rock with the best of them. I've always fancied seeing a pure Neil/CH rock set (Hole in the Ice anyone?) and I think the Coachella set was a missed opportunity really. Having said that I can understand CH wanting to show their full repoirture as it were.

I think the Hyde Park gig will be much easier. I can't see Peter Gabriel fans bottling Neil realy - they are too old for such tomfoolery! In fact I think we should throw Neil soft toys of something.