Returning to the ‘96 Crowded House Farewell

Twenty-five years ago, much-loved band Crowded House bid farewell to the world, performing a free concert at the Sydney Opera House to a crowd of more than 100,000 people. The Sydney Morning Herald has re-published a 1996 story as part of its series, ‘From the Archives’.

“Neil Finn, the impish New Zealand-born songwriter, was hoping for something ‘glorious’, a fitting farewell to a decade of hard but joyous slog from one of Australia’s best loved and most successful pop bands,” Ian Verrender writes.

“As an ocean of humanity poured towards Bennelong Point, those at the front were pushed through the barriers and it suddenly became obvious why Finn and his cohorts had chosen their location.

“The idea that the Opera House would form the backdrop to a farewell benefit concert by a band called Crowded House seemed entirely appropriate.”

As of 2021, Crowded House has sold over 15 million albums worldwide.

Original article by Ian Verrender, The Sydney Morning Herald, November 24, 2021.

Photo by Rick Stevens.