"It's Only Natural" was a peppy little number to open the set with, and I think it worked. I was shocked by the choice of "Love You Til The Day I Die," but considering how loud some of the other groups had played, it sort of fit in. And they played it quite well.
The first new song (title unknown) from the new album started off a bit weird (sort of like the songs on "Achtung Baby," which Youth was also involved with) but ends up being one of those classic Neil Finn pop songs.
As they played "Weather With You" (which opened their free show in Golden Gate Park two years ago), the fog began to roll in. I smiled.
"Don't Dream" was what you'd expect; "Something" was *great* -- an overlooked pop song, but one that the crowd seemed to recognize, not realizing that it was a Crowded House song.
"Private Universe" was very pretty. I was impressed. I want my _Together Alone_, and I want it now!!
And "When You Come" is just incredible live. What a way to end it. Including Neil singing: "History never repeats, I tell myself before I go to sleep... don't say the words you might regret; I lost before, you know I can't forget" toward the end.
In between, they built the now-famous CH Human Pyramid, followed by many imitators in the crowd. They also attempted to get the audience to do the wave, which was less successful.
Other WOMAD thoughts:
* I came with an open mind, but it was closed by the really bad playing of PM Dawn and Stereo MCs. I wasn't impressed.
* Peter Gabriel was good, but I thought CH was better. Gabriel had to stop in the middle of "Solsbury Hill" to chastize some lackeys in the front who were (I assume) fighting... very odd.