Crowded House confirm reunion shows - but NZ misses out

Crowded House will play two reunion shows in Australia, but no New Zealand shows are planned.

Crowded House will play two concerts on the Sydney Opera House forecourt, 20 years after their famous farewell gig in the very same spot.

The November concerts will come in the same week that the Australian/New Zealand band will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the ARIA Awards.

No New Zealand shows are planned, meaning Kiwi fans face paying for flights and accommodation to see either of the November the shows.

In 1996 they performed their Farewell to the World concert to over 100,000 people on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, an event which was delayed a day because of the rain.

"I am excited to announce two Encore performances on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. The shows will mark the 20th anniversary of our break-up concert. 'Proper order!' I say, as being at the top of our game, I didn't want to break up in the first place! I've come to realise the 'top of our game' is whenever we get together so please join us for a f*** off sing song, an off-piste jam session, a toast to absent friends and NO RAIN," founding member Nick Seymour said.

Crowded House released their self-titled debut album 30 years ago and have sold over two million albums, five of which reached number one in the Australian charts.

The Finn brothers, Neil and Tim, have also gone on to pursue musical careers together and have released successful solo albums.

Up-and-coming artist Kirin J Callinan will open for the group at the special gig.
The celebrations also coincide with the re-issue of the band's six studio albums - Crowded House, Temple Of Low Men, Woodface, Together Alone, Time on Earth, Intriguer - and 1999's rarities album Afterglow, as deluxe editions.

"We are thrilled all seven of our albums are about to be reissued in all formats including vinyl, each one accompanied by a rich trove of rarities including writing demos and other unreleased musical curiosities, as well as new original artwork from my dear friend Nick Seymour," Neil Finn said.

"This has been many years in the making with much of the exhaustive listening, editing and remixing being done by the keeper of knowledge Jeremy Ansell in Auckland.

"It has been a labour of love for us and our mission all along was making a superlative quality, definitive document of Crowded House's unique history for all the fans who have given us their affection over the years."

Crowded House perform encore concerts at Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26.