In a frenzy

When I found out Split Enz were playing at Bluesfest next year, I sprang into action.

Tickets were frantically bought and accommodation was hastily procured.

I was feeling really proud of my prompt action and excited by the results.

I have been a devoted Split Enz fan since I was 13. From the moment I saw Neil Finn singing “I got you” on Countdown I was obsessed.

The band wore strange costumes and face paint and had weird hairdos, but I didn’t care. I loved them all (especially Neil) and their music.

Other girls had posters of Simon le Bon on their walls but I had this …

I have no idea how they were convinced to go shirtless, but I was dazzled.

I spent one of my first Split Enz gigs standing in the lighting booth at the Newcastle Workers Club – after desperate parental wrangling – because I was too young to attend a licensed venue.

Years later there was a farewell concert in Speers Point Park that none of my friends were allowed to attend because it was during the HSC … so my mum took me.

She got a thrill out of being breath tested on the way in and being gawped at by Tim Finn as she stood against the stage with her powder blue cardy and grey, immaculately coiffed blow-dry.

A band came along next led by Neil called The Mullanes that lasted a blink of the eye, but just long enough for me – and maybe 20 other people – to watch perform at Belmont 16 Footers.

Then I became a cadet journalist at The Newcastle Herald and angled to go backstage to interview Neil after a Crowded House gig at the Palais. I embarrassed myself by having Absolutely. Nothing. Intelligent. To. Say.

And that was the moment I decided I was happy to remain in the audience when in the presence of greatness.

Anyways, back to 2025 … within two hours of the Bluesfest line-up being announced, Split Enz released details of their first tour in 20 years … which includes a gig at ICC Sydney.

FFS.

To make matters more annoying, I already had an Easter holiday booked with my sister and mutual friends for the same dates as Bluesfest. So I’m also toasting three nights accommodation for that to go to Byron.

FFS.

Undaunted, I have been inspired to embark on a ticket buying frenzy over the past few days for gigs by other bands in Melbourne, Sydney and Newie between February and April next year.

I don’t know what’s gotten into me.

The pre-sale for Split Enz opens this morning … I am very tempted …

Music is life.

And I’m really regretting not going to Oasis.

Song of the day: Split Enz “I see red”