by Ai-Ling Lum

Just got back from Neil's last show in Melbourne and am still so excited I had to put thoughts to screen immediately.... It was FANTASTIC -- well beyond my expectations, having never seen anything live before.

Where do I start? I'm afraid I can't give a full detailed account of the night, but I'm sure someone with a better memory will post their views.

Added bonuses include:

Appearance by no other than Mr Tim Finn, who played "Weather With You," "Angel's Heap," and "Suffer Never" (sorry if I omit anything, my mind is still pumping).

"Don't Dream It's Over" (great crowd singalong -- everyone was up standing by 10:30, after an invite by Neil), "Message To My Girl" (lots of screams), "I Got You" (mannnny more screams), "Private Universe," "Not The Girl..."

Everyone was up standing and singing along with "I Got You" and just about every song afterwards -- I kept wondering beforehand if anyone was going to stand; I "bopped" my head around, as did Renee, but generally old people in suits don't bop (surrounded by them).

"She Will Have Her Way" and "Loose Tongue" are killers played live; Neil attempted "Left hand" after a request by someone in the audience but sadly didn't get through the first few bars (it sounded like he was in the wrong key from the beginning, aw how cute). I wanted to call out "Whispers and Moans" but thankfully didn't. "Tokyo" was also played with the accompanying story ("good dog, good wife, good apartment, good drugs...").

The keyboardist was asked to tell a joke whilst Neil threw roses (given by a fan) to the audience (if somebody else can remember it well, please retell); much banter with Neil joking that he'll get a band to sit on the sidebench (as in basketball) and call in a sub should anyone foul out -- had to be there, was quite funny. Nick was in the audience, although Neil didn't say anything (I heard it from a girl after the show: "He was sitting two rows in front of me!") -- sadly, I missed him when he was outside -- I was busy shoving my way through the merchandise crowd. My advice: Get there early!

We had great seats -- Row B, the *sixth* row (reserved seating is a pain in the arse). Thanks to Renee in Row A who joined us in standing when nobody else would (don't worry we weren't complete fools - everyone joined later).

Bic Runga was great, I'll be getting her album soon after hearing her live -- I got the impression she was fairly nervous. When she introduced "Sway" nobody cheered or clapped or anything, so she said thanks to Neil Finn for having her on his tour, which raised some applause and whistles... This makes me feel somewhat guilty.