Neil & Liam with Pete Paphides
Neil & Liam Finn chat with Pete Paphides on his Soho Radio vinyl only show. Over an hour and a half, they play a few records and talk about weddings, wrestling and wading through the archives.
Enzology Part 7 – Waiata
In part 7 of Radio New Zealand’s Enzology – The Story of Split Enz, hear Neil’s home demo of ‘One Step Ahead’ plus the band’s tales from the road as Split Enz tour the world, 1980-81.
Download the podcast at http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/enzology/ep07
Team NF
Neil & Liam Finn setlist 22-9-15
The final of three European dates with Neil, Liam, Sharon & Elroy Finn plus friends. See reviews at the Frenz Forum.
Crowded House ‘Anthem’ worldwide radio debut
Renowned music critic and #helpiscoming co-organiser, Pete Paphides, brings his extensive record collection to Soho Radio for this vinyl only show, playing records spanning all genres and decades and offering intrepid insight in between.
On today’s show, The Chills’ Martin Phillips joins Pete in the studio and Pete debuts Crowded House’s “Anthem”. This is the B-side of the limited edition 7″ vinyl release of “Help Is Coming”, available for order here. Hear Pete’s introduction and the song itself at 1:46:51 into the programme.
Neil Finn radio interview with The Sound and Radio Live
Neil Finn talks with Radio Live’s Graeme Hill about his upcoming shows in Wellington and Christchurch (October 13 & 14) and the Help Is Coming campaign. Listen at Radio Live.
Neil also chatted to The Sound’s Tracey Donaldson. Listen at The Sound.
Neil & Liam Finn setlist 21-9-15
Neil, Liam and family played the first of two shows at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire last night. The second concert’s tonight and tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.
See Shanon Moratti’s photos from last night.
Thanks again to Kathleen for taking a snap of the setlist.
Team NF
Cross-linx Festival, The Netherlands Feb 2016
Neil Finn & Glenn Kotche’s Unlimited Orchestra at Cross-linx Festival, The Netherlands.
Neil Finn and Glenn Kotche have worked together before in Neil Finn’s collaboration project, 7 Worlds Collide. At that time, they were joined by friends such as Glenn’s Wilco bandmates plus Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien. This time ’round, they’re taking a totally different… indie-classical route. With the string-instruments, voices and brass players from Lunatree, Darin Gray on bass and visiting star Andrew Bird, a full orchestra is formed. Expect the best of all worlds, expertly forged together by Finn and Kotche into a 75-minute, boundless cycle of songs.
Tickets on sale now at a discounted “early bird” rate until November 1st:
25.02.16; Muziekgebouw Eindhoven Tickets here.
26.02.16; Muziekgebouw & Bimhuis Amsterdam Tickets here.
27.02.16; De Doelen, Rotterdam Tickets here.
28.02.16; Oosterpoort Groningen Tickets here.
From the press release…
Andrew Bird, Neil Finn and Glenn Kotche with orchestra at Cross-linx
– Third Coast Percussion, On Fillmore, Aart Strootman and Luke Deane also confirmed
Singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, New Zealand singer/guitarist Neil Finn and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche form the main acts at Cross-linx, the indie-classical festival that will be touring the Netherlands from 25 to 28 February 2016. Andrew Bird will be presenting his new cd that is due to be released this spring. Kotche and Finn will be performing together for Cross-linx, in an orchestra that also includes Lunatree musicians, as well as a selection of other special guests. Other confirmed acts are the American percussion group Third Coast Percussion, On Fillmore, guitarist Aart Strootman and British talent Luke Deane.
Glenn Kotche, co-curator
Glenn Kotche is co-curator of this edition of the festival. “Kotche is an icon of the indie music scene,” says Cross-linx Director Frank Veenstra. “I’m very pleased that we are organising the programme together, and particularly that he is forming an orchestra project with Neil Finn. That promises to be very special, a cycle of songs in which their music will be joined by new and existing work and arrangements by Lunatree.” In addition to his work with the Wilco indie stars, Kotche made three solo albums, is involved in many collaborations such as with the Kronos Quartet, and can be heard on the albums of numerous bands. At Cross-linx, Kotche will also perform with his On Fillmore duo as well as with Third Coast Percussion. “With them, we will present Kotche’s work as well as material by Steve Reich”, according to Veenstra, “and such a programme is Cross-linx’ core business - the very essence of what we would like to present on stage.” Previous co-curators at Cross-linx included Bryce Dessner, guitarist with The National, and Shara Worden, aka My Brightest Diamond.
Andrew Bird (of paradise)
American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird is as much a “bird of paradise” as Glenn Kotche; he is someone who, over the past 20 years, has steadily developed his unique sound, with jazz, blues, indie rock and classical influences. A one-man band and true musical omnivore, with two steady elements: his violin, which he has played since he was four, and his characteristic flutes, with which he starts or ends many of his numbers. Bird’s new album, which will be released this spring, can be heard at Cross-linx for the first time.
Information at http://www.cross-linx.nl/en/line-up/
Neil Finn radio interview with Andrew Dickens
Neil speaks to Newstalk ZB’s Andrew Dickens about about the upcoming Wellington and Christchurch concerts, son Liam Finn and “Help Is Coming.”
Pete Paphides radio interview with Kim Hill
Radio New Zealand’s Kim Hill talks to Pete Paphides, the British music writer, broadcaster and record collector who launched Help is Coming, encouraging people to buy the Crowded House single to assist the Save the Children refugee appeal.
Download the song / order the 7″ single and exclusive B-side / watch the video / donate at www.helpiscoming.org
Neil & Liam Finn Brussels setlist 18-9-15
The setlist for Friday’s Neil & Liam Finn concert in Brussels.
View photos by JP Daniels at Concert Magazine.
The “lost” 1981 Silver Scroll Award
The APRA Silver Scroll Awards are streaming live from Auckland, NZ. As well as awards for recent songs, there’ll be a a special presentation of the 1981 “lost” Silver Scroll. No one can recall why there there was no awards event that year. Given there were so many classics released on 7″ vinyl back then, it’s time to make amends.
The 1981 finalists are:
*One Step Ahead, written by Neil Finn, performed by Split Enz
*Counting the Beat, written by Phil Judd, Mark Hough, Wayne Stevens, performed by The Swingers
*See Me Go, written by Tony Drumm, Peter Van Der Fluit, Michael O’Neill and Lawrence Landwer-Johan, performed by The Screaming Meemees
*Tally Ho, written by David Kilgour, Hamish Kilgour, Robert Scott, performed by The Clean
*No Depression in New Zealand, written by Don McGlashan and Richard von Sturmer, performed by Blam Blam Blam
View the live stream here from around 8pm NZ time.
Neil Finn on upcoming gigs and Syrian crisis
Neil talks to Siena Yates at www.stuff.co.nz about Help Is Coming, the upcoming concerts in Wellington and Christchurch, and future projects.
Neil on Morning Report 16/9/15
Neil was interviewed by Susie Ferguson on Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report today about the “Help Is Coming” charity single. Listen here.
Campaign organiser Pete Paphides spoke to Susie yesterday. Listen here.
Download the song/buy the 7″ single/donate at www.helpiscoming.org
Neil Finn solo with strings – NZ dates with guest Liam Finn
Just announced: Neil will be joined by Liam Finn for his two New Zealand concerts next month.
Final remaining tickets for both shows on sale now: http://lvna.co/NeilFinnNZ
Live Nation by arrangement with WME present
A Very Special Evening With Neil Finn
Intimate Wellington and Christchurch Solo shows with Strings
OPERA HOUSE, WELLINGTON, NZ
TUESDAY 13th OCTOBER 2015
ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
WEDNESDAY 14th OCTOBER 2015
A solo performance by NEIL FINN is a rare experience; one that is certain to leave long lasting, treasured memories.
Following solo concerts in Sydney and Melbourne in May and a one-off Auckland concert in July, fans in Wellington and Christchurch will now have the opportunity to attend two such intimate and very special performances this October.
Neil Finn will play the Wellington Opera House on Tuesday October 13, followed by a Christchurch show at the Isaac Theatre Royal on Wednesday October 14.
The set-list will range right across Finn’s extensive repertoire as he dips in and out of a vast catalogue that spans compositions he’s made famous with Split Enz, Crowded House, The Finn Brothers and through the course of his three solo albums, playing a mix of acoustic and electric, guitar and piano, as well as being joined on some songs by a full string section, arranged by renowned kiwi composer, Victoria Kelly.
My Live Nation members can secure tickets first during the exclusive pre-sale commencing at midday this Wednesday, September 2.
For complete tour and ticketing details visit: www.livenation.co.nz
Finn said, “I find playing solo to be a very free environment where I’m able to explore strange tangents, reinvent old songs, reminisce with friends and lampoon at will. I love it.”
The chance to see Finn perform solo certainly doesn’t come around very often. Performing in Melbourne and Sydney earlier this year, media were universally fulsome in their reviews:
“The man can bloom from whisper to a wail with the same confidence and clarity as on any recording from his early days¦ A soaring, spellbinding performance by one of the greats.”Brag
“Seeing Finn live is like a comforting hug when you need it most.” The Music
“It’s an uncanny performance affirming Finn’s stature as one of pop’s greatest songwriters, mixed with a leveled Kiwi cheek. There was no reason for tonight to happen, no particular ceremony. That’s what made it so special.” Beat Magazine
These forthcoming shows will be Neil Finn’s only solo performances in New Zealand for the remainder of this year, and these are absolutely shows not to be missed.
Tickets on sale now: http://lvna.co/NeilFinnNZ
Neil & Liam Finn – more London tickets on sale
Now that everyone has been relocated, more tickets are on sale for Neil & Liam’s shows at 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London.
Monday 21st September 2015
Tuesday 22nd September 2015
Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster.
Again, we apologise for the inconvenience the closure of the original venue has caused, along with the cancellation of the show on the 23rd. More information about that here.
Crowded House – Help Is Coming
CROWDED HOUSE “HELP IS COMING”
LIMITED EDITION 7” AND DOWNLOAD IN AID OF SAVE THE CHILDREN FOR THE REFUGEE CRISIS
In UK, text GIVE to 61144 to donate £5
For international donations, go to www.helpiscoming.org
‘Help Is Coming’, a short film by Mat Whitecross. Introduction by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Download available now at iTunes; Apple’s proceeds from “Help Is Coming” will benefit Save the Children.
7” single via The Vinyl Factory available 28/09 with an exclusive b-side http://www.vfeditions.com/product/view/287
Like the rest of the nation, the broadcasters/writers Caitlin Moran and Pete Paphides were saddened and angered last week by the images of three-year-old Syrian refugee Alan Kurdi and his brother Galip.
Pete Paphides “I started imagining my family in a similar situation, and almost without me realising it, a song I hadn't heard for several years started playing in my head. Help Is Coming was recorded by Crowded House over 20 years ago, but it evokes with uncanny empathy the howling uncertainty faced by thousands of families arriving in Europe for the first time. The following day, I contacted friends at The Vinyl Factory – a label that owns the old EMI pressing plant in Hayes – with a view to manufacturing a seven-inch single with all the proceeds going to Save The Children. They responded immediately, offering to waive all their manufacturing costs”.
Caitlin Moran “The day after the pictures of three-year-old Alan Kurdi went around the world - it was like a switch had been flicked. My social media timelines were full of people who just could not stay inactive any more; who were exasperated with the lack of governmental action. There were people posting up Amazon wish lists of tents, sleeping bags, clothes; people hiring vans to drive down to Calais; people organising libraries, and soup kitchens. People doing that brilliant, simple, ageless human thing: of wanting to help other people. Whilst committees convene and resolutions are published and squabbles break out between this government and that, normal people just become very practical: they roll up their sleeves, and say: “Right. if I’d just fled my country with my family, what would I need? Shelter, food, and clothing. maybe some books, for the kids. Let’s get started now.” So, Pete and I were just doing what everyone else was doing, really. He’d found the perfect song - Help Is Coming, about refugees on their way to Ellis Island, with “Empires crumbling” behind them - and I just went on Facebook and told everyone what we were doing. And everyone was desperate to help - everyone felt the same way”.
The 7” single of Crowded House’s ‘Help Is Coming’ with an exclusive previously unreleased b-side ‘Anthem’ with new artwork by Crowded House’s bass player Nick Seymour is available to pre-order now from The Vinyl Factory http://www.vfeditions.com/product/view/287
The download is available from iTunes. Apple, as well as Universal Music Group, the artists, and producers of Help Is Coming, will be donating their respective proceeds.
Crowded House’s Neil Finn and Capitol Records have both kindly agreed to donate the royalties and all proceeds from the track will do to Save The Children.
Neil Finn “I am continually amazed and grateful for the mysterious pathways that songs can travel. You never know where they are going to turn up and when they will reveal their true nature. First recorded in 1995, quietly released in 1999 Help Is Coming has had a long journey to find a good home. It was always a song about refugees even if at the time I was thinking about the immigrants setting off on ships from Europe to America, looking for a better life for their families in America. The words of the poem inscripted on the Statue of Liberty are an extraordinary statement of intent for the development of a great nation "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”
There is such a huge scale and urgency to the current refugee crises that barely a day goes by without some crushing image or news account to confront us. We can’t be silent anymore. Like the diverse immigrants that made America great, these are good people that just want to find somewhere safe to create a better life for their families. I am grateful to Pete and Caitlin for imagining my song might resonate – and to Mat Whitecross for creating such a powerful film to accompany it. It's an honour to be a part of a growing chorus of voices to create action and make it real ...help is coming”
The response from those wanting to help Pete and Caitlin was instantaneous;
Caitlin Moran “Within 24 hours we had Mat Whitecross directing the video, Outside Organisation doing the PR, photojournalists sending footage, offers of help from every organisation I’ve ever worked with, like Save The Children, and Glastonbury. A council of elders gave us a crash course in how to do something. Because that’s that humans do. We help”
Pete Paphides “After a frantic period which involved Caitlin and I emailing and phoning everyone we could think of, we heard back from Mat Whitecross, who has directed videos for Coldplay and Take That and worked on acclaimed documentaries such as The Road To Guantanamo. Mat immediately offered to make a film for this song. On Monday, I turned up at the offices of Universal and showed them Mat's film. Their immediate response was, "What can we do?" Within an hour they threw all their resources, spread across every department, into effecting a Friday release. It wasn't a matter of choosing "the right song" for this. The song chose itself. Help Is Coming is about the leap of faith you take when you leave everything and place yourself at the mercy of other people.
Mat Whitecross “My wife and I have been watching the news every night and feeling helpless. Our parents were refugees, who fled their countries in fear of their lives - mine from Argentina, hers from Iran. So we both grew up knowing how important it is to offer shelter and support to those who need it.
There’s a beautiful tradition of hospitality we’ve had throughout this country’s history. It’s one of the things that makes me feel proud to live here - but ashamed when we forget that tradition. Our thanks go to Simon Rawles who gave us permission to use his interviews with the children”
Justin Forsyth, Save the Children CEO “The UK has a proud history of offering children and families refuge from extreme crises and the compassion show by the British public has matched the scale of this crisis. The Prime Minister’s announcement to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees direct from the region into Britain is welcome news, but we cannot forget those refugees who have already made the journey to Europe, specifically the 3,000 children who have travelled here completely alone. The outpouring of support from the British public has shown what we are capable of so let’s continue to show solidarity in support of the child refugees. No child should be left behind. Thank you to all those who have worked on this single – it will help to keep the public’s attention focused – and in turn European leaders accountable - on one of the biggest refugee crisis of our time. No more body bags. No more children dying on our doorstep.”
Background Information on Save the Children’s work on the Refugee Crisis
Europe is facing its worst refugee crisis since the Second World War and it is unacceptable that children are dying on our doorstep. Children are fleeing bombs, bullets and torture in warzones like Syria, only to drown in European waters. If they survive, they are bundled into the backs of overcrowded trucks as they continue their desperate search – and some have suffocated along the way. Children often arrive in Europe scared and exhausted. Many have seen and experienced untold horrors that no child should have to face during their journey.
So far in 2015 more than 380,000 desperate people have made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. Save the Children has worked on these issues for decades and we work along the whole route that refugees take, including the countries they are fleeing, like Syria, where brutal war has ripped apart the lives of millions and the countries en route, like Turkey, Egypt, Greece and Italy – making sure children are protected wherever possible.
We also work in countries like Germany and Serbia to ensure that families understand their rights and have access to care and support.
Save the Children is doing whatever it takes to provide essential support to the thousands of children in need but we desperately need your support to respond to this crisis. Every donation will make a real difference, and will be used across the whole route these desperate refugees are taking – from Syria itself through to Greece, Italy and the UK. You can find out more at www.Savethechildren.org.uk or you can donate now - online by debit or credit card or by telephone calling 0800 8148 148.
About Save the Children:
Save the Children works in more than 120 countries. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. www.savethechildren.org.uk
About The Vinyl Factory:
Established in 2001, The Vinyl Factory Group encompasses a record label, vinyl pressing plant, the record shop Phonica and music magazine FACT, in addition to all of its visual arts activities.
The Vinyl Factory record label releases limited editions made in collaboration with both artists and musicians, accompanied by events and performances. Releases to date include: The xx, Christian Marclay, Massive Attack, Eddie Peake, Roisin Murphy, Haroon Mirza, Burial, Dinos Chapman, Florence + the Machine, Maurizio Catalan, Pet Shop Boys and Martin Creed.
The Vinyl Factory Space at Brewer Street Car Park is a dynamic cultural hub featuring arts commissions and audio-visual collaborations. This year site-specific exhibitions at the space have included Ryoji Ikeda’s supersymmetry and Carsten Nicolai’s unicolor. This November it will host Ragnar Kyartansson’s The Visitors.
The Vinyl Factory also works in partnerships with leading art organisations. Key projects include Jeremy Deller English Magic for The British Council’s British Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale of Art, The Fun Palace at the Serpentine Gallery’s Summer Party, Christian Marclay’s major 2015 show at White Cube Bermondsey and, in collaboration with the Barbican, American multi-media artist Doug Aitken’s Station to Station project.
#HelpIsComing
Read Pete Paphides’ article in The Guardian about how the single came about.
Neil and Liam Finn in London – change of venue
9/9/15 UPDATE:
STATEMENT RE RESCHEDULED LONDON SHOWS
All customers have to get their new tickets sent to them. TicketMaster need to reallocate the customers and get the tickets packed to go out. This will take a few days.
Customers going from the 23rd show have taken a survey of which show they want to go. This survey finishes on Friday. Once all customers have had a chance to say which show they would prefer, TM will send the customers their new tickets. All customers can be accommodated.
http://survey.ticketmaster.co.uk/s/QXLQ6/
If the customers don’t receive their tickets in time, they will just need to contact TM (or point of purchase) who will arrange a duplicate ticket to be available at the venue for them to pick up. If for any reason TM don’t get chance to get them out they will be on a collection list.
The venue will have a full list of customer details so if any reason they are unable to arrange prior the venue can duplicate on the door.
All customers have now been contacted.
NEW VENUE & DATES: O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE - 21ST & 22ND SEPTEMBER 2015
Due to the unforeseen circumstance of asbestos presence in the original venue, Bloomsbury Theatre, resulting in the theatre’s immediate closure, Neil and Liam Finn’s scheduled dates of Mon 21st, Tues 22nd and Wed 23rd of September 2015 will now be merged into two dates at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Mon 21st and Tues 22nd. These shows will be fully seated.
Tickets for the 21st and 22nd will be transferred to the same date at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire as only the venue has changed. Wherever possible, tickets will be exchanged for like for like seats within the new venue. Ticket agents will contact customers directly with further information. If ticket holders have any further queries they should contact their point of purchase or email Live Nation customer services – info@livenation.co.uk
Ticket agents will be getting in touch with ticket holders for 23rd September and they will be offered the choice to change over their tickets to 21st or 22nd September, or get a refund. Wherever possible, tickets will be exchanged for like for like seats within the new venue. Customers should make this decision before Friday 11th September to ensure the best seats. If ticket holders have any further queries they should contact their point of purchase or email Live Nation customer services – info@livenation.co.uk
Quote from Neil and Liam Finn
“We are disappointed that we cannot play at the Bloomsbury Theatre but very happy to have found a safe home for these shows. The Shepherds Bush Empire has always been a great room to play. See you there!”
UCL Bloomsbury Theatre statement:
“UCL’s Bloomsbury Theatre is currently closed for planned building works which have impacted on known asbestos.Â
In line with UCL’s stringent processes to manage asbestos, a full clean has been ordered. The theatre was due to close for major construction work from January 2016 until the summer. The recent developments and the complexity of the work mean that the works will take longer than anticipated. We have therefore brought forward the closure to be effective from now, to allow us to keep the planned re-opening, scheduled for summer 2016.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused and are working hard to ensure that performances can resume as soon as possible.”
NEIL AND LIAM FINN LIVE DATES:
*MONDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER- O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE, LONDON*
General on sale of extra tickets from 11 Sep 2015 at 09:00am at Live Nation
*TUESDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER - O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE, LONDON*
General on sale of extra tickets from 11 Sep 2015 at 09:00am at Live Nation
Neil and Liam Finn in Brussels
Tickets are still available for Neil and Liam Finn’s concert in Belgium.
Botanique Orangerie, Brussels
Friday 18th September 2015
botanique.ticketmatic.com (English)
botanique.ticketmatic.com (Dutch)
botanique.ticketmatic.com (French)
Bloomsbury Theatre closed
UPDATE 4/9/15: Click here for new details.
Bloomsbury Theatre is still closed due to asbestos problems. We are looking for an alternative venue for the three London shows in September. More details when we have them.