Return of Split Enz

(Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 25 May 2026)

Split Enz arrived in Australia in 1975, at that stage more-or-less a New Zealand cabaret act [‘art rock’ as Glenn A. Baker and Stuart Coupe termed it in their book, The New Music (1980)]. Wonderfully weird, their oddball appearance and intricate songs gave them a certain cachet, but after some musicians moved on, the original line-up that included Tim Finn, Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie were joined by Tim’s brother Neil (later of Crowded House fame, and, briefly, and surprisingly, Fleetwood Mac).

Melody Maker opined that “they are one of the few bands with any originality to have emerged over the last twelve months.” Their albums Dizrythmai and Frenzy further enhanced its reputation but what really broke through commercially were the white-noise single, ‘I See Red‘, and the triple platinum album True Colours (my copy is the one with blue and orange shapes).

Whilst broken-up long ago, they have reunited over the years and in Adelaide on Monday night, they did their 1,013th gig, the final one of the tour, before a packed and joyous Ent-Cent crowd. Hotels and restaurants nearby were packed beforehand. The concert started with a lovely set by Vika & Linda Bull and the Bullants. Then the lads ‘appeared’ (they took the stage under a covered sheet): 2 Finns, Eddie Rayner (keyboards) and Noel Crombie (percussion, design), plus James Milne (Bass and vocals) and Matt Eccles (Drums).

They gave us a magisterial lesson in power-pop, a power play of amazing sights and sounds. Starting with a squawking ‘Shark Attack,’ they followed-up with ‘History Never Repeats’ and the show was underway. Largely comprised of driving rock songs, there were interspersed some ballads, including the forlorn classic, ‘I Hope I Never’ (song list below, I think I missed one or three).

Once or twice, a lead singer’s voice came near to cracking but all proved true. The performances were superb.

All in all, one of the best concerts we’ve attended, and we’ve seen a few.

[Songs included: Shark Attack; History Never Repeats; Poor Boy; Nobody Takes Me Seriously; Give it a Whirl; Dirty Creature; My Mistake; I Hope I Never; Stuff and Nonsense; Hard Act to Follow; Six Months in a Leaky Boat; I Got You; I See Red; Message to My Girl; Time for a Change; Double Happy; Hermit McDermitt; Missing Person; One Step Ahead; Bold as Brass; Spellbound]