Crowded House confirms reunion for world tour
MELBOURNE, Australia (Billboard) – Crowded House has confirmed media speculation that it will reunite for a 12-month world tour this year.
Although tour dates are yet to be finalized, the Neil Finn-led group will appear at April’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in southern California along with Bjork, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine, among others.
A new album, “Time On Earth,” will be released to coincide with the performances, according to a statement from their label, EMI Music Australia.
The line-up will include singer/guitarist Finn, bassist Nick Seymour, and touring keyboard player Mark Hart. Auditions have been held in Melbourne for a drummer, to replace Paul Hester, who committed suicide in 2005. These auditions will extend to Auckland and Los Angeles in coming weeks.
“It feels right to us that the band should re-emerge at this time,” New Zealand-born Finn said in a statement. “We look forward to reconnecting with the audience that we established and for whom we still hold a deep respect.
“We aim to make the upcoming shows and the new music every bit as vital and spirited as what has come before.”
Crowded House released four studio albums between 1985 and 1996, all of which topped the Australian and New Zealand charts. Its self-titled debut album reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 on the back of smash single “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The follow up album “Temple Of Low Men” from 1988 peaked at No. 40 in the United States.
The group built a huge following in the United Kingdom, where the 1993 album “Woodface” — featuring Finn’s older brother, Tim — reached No. 6, and hits set “Recurring Dream” hit No. 1 in 1996.
A newly released DVD, “Farewell To The World,” documenting their 1996 farewell show on the steps of Sydney Opera House before 120,000 fans, topped the Australian Recording Industry Assn.’s DVD chart and is certified 4-times platinum (60,000 units).
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