Live Review: Split Enz – Forever Theatrical, Eccentric in 2026
Split Enz – Forever Enz Tour – 22 May 2026 at RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia.
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
“It has been almost 20 years since we’ve played in Perth.”
Twenty years can feel like a long time, but the perspective shifted after local fan Erica Lorimer showed this photojournalist her diary entry marked “SPLIT ENZ CONCERT,” dated March 20, 1982. Accompying the diary was a tired looking ticket, but still in prestine condition. It was for the show at the old Perth Entertainment Centre, that stood right beside what is now RAC Arena.
The nostalgia runs even deeper given that many of the 8,000 or so fans tonight were not even born when the New Zealand band first came together in 1972. When Phil Judd and Mike Chunn left in 1976, Neil Finn flew from New Zealand to England where the band had relocated, and joined as co-lead singer and songwriter alongside his brother Tim. The band eventually split in 1984, and to make ends meet, Neil later formed Crowded House with former drummer, the late Paul Hester. Since then, there have been numerous reunion tours.
Arguably, Tim Finn is the only original member on this 2026 tour, but tell that to the fans. With Neil Finn (vocalist, guitar), Eddie Rayner (keyboard), and Noel Crombie (percussion) – all from the 1970s club, it was a reunion from the classic years, while drummer Matt Eccles and bassist James Milne kept the rhythm section with the synergies propagated by the younger generation.
But first…the supporting act…
Linda and Vika Bull joined Crowded House as backing vocalists earlier this year, so it felt natural for them to open the night. Their breathtaking eight-song set began with Paul Kelly’s Be Careful What You Pray For, a fitting nod to the legendary singer-songwriter, especially given that the sisters had opened for him on tour before. From there, they soared through Raise Your Hand, That’s How I Pray, Pigface, and Caledonia. We heard the kind of voices only a few can deliver: crisp, soaring, and powerful enough to echo right through the arena. They also performed The Black Sorrows’ track Never Let Me Go, which had the crowd moving thanks to the commercial familiarity. Their set closed with Bliss and the title track from their upcoming album, Where Do You Come From, due for release on 5 June. We cannot wait to hear it.
After a thirty minute interchange, at 9pm or ten minutes before the scheduled start, the lights dropped and the default screams erupted. The spotlight shined on an orange satin sheet that drifted across the stage, billowing, building anticipation and wonder through the crowd, while the instrumental The Choral Sea hummed in the background. It was like a scene from Scooby Doo – a character hiding under a sheet and pretending to be a ghost, while Eddie Rayner’s solo prelude lingered. After a minute or so – peekaboo!
The six members were revealed, together in Perth for the first time in 20 years, all dressed in colourful tailored suits that fitted like gloves. The entrance was quintessential Split Enz: theatrical, eccentric, and stylish. For many, including this photojournalist, it was the first time seeing the Finn brothers together on stage. It was surreal while each member moved into position, well apart.
The night burst into life with Shark Attack. The spark was fitting; fast, sharp, and with more force than almost anything else in their catalogue. Pulled from True Colours, it set the benchmark for the night.
Dressed in a yellow suit with stripes, Tim Finn was occasionally animated, as his arms swinging as if he was grooving in a late-night rhythm and blues hit, although not as flamboyant as Peter Garrett. As for his brother Neil, it looked like he had not combed his hair since he last played Perth with Split Enz. It sat in its own free-range shade, unkempt and entirely unconcerned. But it didnt matter. His hair is almost as iconic as his voice.
There were only two moments when the brothers stood side by side, both during the first song, and each lasted only a few seconds. Neil lifted his guitar while Tim nodded along to the crowd’s rhythm. It was one of those moments that made us think about just how much time has passed since this band first split. Nostalgia rained, and poured during those fleeting moments.
As expected, there was no shortage of colours. The big screen was showcasing surreal imageries that were probably borrowed from twentieth-century German theatre; theatrical expression and fantasy design of dreamlike houses, twisted leafless branches, exaggerated shapes, and a warped emotional reality that is quintessential Split Enz.
It would not be surprising if Noel Crombie’s visual direction had a hand in all of that.
So this was never only about the Finn brothers. Crombie had his own moment at centre stage with a solo percussion passage that carried Dirty Creature right to its end. Neil had his rock star guitar hero moment somewhere along the setlist.
But not all were fast pace, as Split Enz shifted gears to a ballad without losing any momentum on Time for a Change. With Tim at the keyboard, the performance turned haunting and dramatic, helped by fiery visual effects, almost dreamlike atmosphere. It weaved into a seventies art pop vision, emerging fully to life, reminiscent of a Bowie masterpiece. So much of time has passed – that was the feeling that swept the fans – for better or worse.
It wasn’t long before one of the big commercial moments arrived. The elegant piano opening from Eddie Rayner signalled Message to My Girl. Neil’s voice carried the song with palpable sincerity. Written by him, it’s a seminal piece, the moment he emerged as a writer of heartfelt melodies.
Rayner then had a solo moment with Pioneer before it rolled neatly into Six Months in a Leaky Boat, and just like that, the arena turned into a dance floor. When the stabbing guitar riff of I Got You arrived, the place erupted, with thousands singing the chorus back at the band. Chaos ensued.
The band ended the main set with I See Red, and by then the energy was through the roof. Everything felt hurried: the drums hammering, the keyboards cutting through, and Tim firing out the verses.
The night closed with a three-song encore, including fan favourite I Hope I Never. Tim Finn sang it as if his life depended on it. The ache in the song still lingered after all these decades; 45 years later, it seemed the pain never left. His countenance and husky voice said it all.
The Forever Enz 2026 tour captured everything that makes Split Enz what they are: fearless, eccentric, hypnotic, while performing with utter sincerity.
Split Enz will continue their final leg of the Forever Enz tour in Adelaide on May 25th. Tickets are available from Live Nation Australia
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank revolutions per minute, Live Nation Australia and Split Enz for the accreditation.
Fan’s Corner by Erica Lorimer
After loving Split Enz at the Perth Entertainment centre in the eighties there was always the risk that past memories may exceed current reality. But this concern disappeared quickly with the early hits like “Nobody Takes Me Seriously Anyway” and I felt the night just kept lifting from there. I came away with a new appreciation for the ballads especially Tim Finn’s piano led songs. “I Hope I Never” remains a favourite and sat perfectly among timeless fun hits delivered with bold colours, eccentric style and controlled chaos trademarks of the Enz. The night reminded me why Split Enz always stood out in my memory as a quirky yet stylish, fun but serious group of talented musicians. They still feel ahead of their time.
SETLIST – SPLIT ENZ 2026 FOREVER ENZ TOUR
Shark Attack — Frenzy (1979)
History Never Repeats — Waiata (1981)
Poor Boy — True Colours (1980)
Nobody Takes Me Seriously — True Colours (1980)
Give It a Whirl — Frenzy (1979)
Dirty Creature — Time and Tide (1982)
Time for a Change — Mental Notes (1975)
One Step Ahead — Waiata (1981)
Missing Person — Waiata (1981)
Message to My Girl — Conflicting Emotions (1983)
Double Happy — Frenzy (1979)
Stuff and Nonsense — Frenzy (1979)
Matinee Idyll (129) — Second Thoughts (1976)
My Mistake — Dizrythmia (1977)
Hard Act to Follow — Conflicting Emotions (1983)
Pioneer — Time and Tide (1982)
Six Months in a Leaky Boat — Time and Tide (1982)
I Got You — True Colours (1980)
I See Red — Frenzy (1979)
ENCORE
Spellbound — Time and Tide (1982)
I Hope I Never — True Colours (1980)
Strait Old Line — Conflicting Emotions (1983)
About the writer/photographer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 250 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), AD/DC, Metallica, KISS, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro (pictured) with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed the late Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 100 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist
