Tim Finn is one of New Zealand’s most famous performers (although Australians love to claim him). Together with his brother Neil, the duo formed Crowded House which was one of the most globally recognisable rock bands of the 90s. With Crowded House having played last year, and set to reunite for a series of intimate concerts at the end of this year, this gig at the State Theatre was an opportunity for music lovers to hear some of Tim Finn’s solo catalogue as well as some Split Enz songs, which was the first introduction of the Finn brothers to the world. 

Finn has always been an incredible songwriter and flanked by a superb band, his songs were very much in focus during this set. Beginning with the jovial “Grand Adventure”, he moved quickly into “Through the Years” and “Not Even Close” which showed off the beauty of his songwriting. 

“It’s been so much fun playing these songs for 40 odd years,” he said. 

There were a number of songs which Finn said he was performing live for the first time, which were a treat for the fans (even if they were on the Melbourne setlist a week prior). “They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk to Me” was an early highlight before Finn combined with his superb backing singers for a cover of “Puberty Blues.”

Interspersed with the covers were Finn’s biggest hits, which showcased his fantastic band, with “Fraction Too Much Friction” and “Six Months in a Leaky Boat” as well as the Split Enz song “Dirty Creature” getting the crowd onto their feet. At 73 years old, Finn’s voice does not quite have the same power but he hid any vocal imperfections well with his band and backing vocalists taking the lead at pivotal moments. This ensured a seamless and musically satisfying night for the whole audience, who had the opportunity to witness Finn’s songwriting across the breadth of his career, which was a real treat. 

For a lengthy encore, Finn first performed “Haul Away” which he mashed up with a cover of “Weather with You” which was one of the few Crowded House songs performed on the night. He then brought up his daughter Elliot Finn for two beautiful duets, with “Stuff and Nonsense” being a particular highlight, as the elder Finn sat at the piano and allowed his daughter to shine. The pair blended very well and it was a magical way to end the night. 

After introducing his band, Finn closed out the set with “Time for a Change” and” Staring at the Embers”, leaving to a standing ovation from the crowd. Overall, this was a fantastic set which showed off the variety of Finn’s music from ballads with beautiful, lyrical songwriting to uptempo, rocky numbers. While his voice may no longer be perfect, he has a fantastic band, which resulted in a cohesive and thrilling musical experience. Finn may be one of the most recognisable faces in Crowded House, but he draws a pretty strong crowd for his solo work too. 

Rating: ★★★★1/2

Tim Finn – 9^th August 2025 – State Theatre

All photo credits: Neil Donovan