Live Review: Neil And Liam Finn, Donny Benet

As rain drizzles over the train-length line snaking along the wall outside Melbourne Zoo, it looks to be a damper evening than anticipated. Mercifully the shower passes as the gates open for Neil & Liam Finn's performance this evening. The competition for picnicking spots is fierce, although a kindly older gentleman ushers us toward a small patch of prime real estate front and centre.

The zoo's inhabitants seem to have decided to go to bed early and with nary a gorilla in sight, wine o'clock comes a little earlier than expected. And who better to supply sounds to match a smooth red than Donny Benet? Resplendent in a salmon pink suit, Benet and his band play a mostly well-received (some punters appear confused and two nearby children clamp their hands over their ears) set of '80s disco tunes. Working Out is an ode to, well, working out, that doubles as an anthem for gym creepers everywhere and could be a Flight Of The Conchords outtake. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, Benet croons, "I don't want you to leave me on the coast of Santorini," during the undeniably catchy Santorini. Cheesier than the platters that dot the lawn (in the best possible way), Benet is the perfect opening soundtrack to a mellow evening.

The sky darkens to a dangerous grey as eager punters move forward and the family Finn takes the stage. Neil & Liam Finn and co kick off with Crowded House's Private Universe. "Saturday night at the zoo, who'd be anywhere else?" smiles Neil, before Liam takes off with Any Other Way from their upcoming joint album. If this is the first taste of what we have to look forward to from their collaboration, it's going to be a hell of a good time. New track Meet Me In The Air is an ethereal, woozy treat made somehow more otherworldly as the wind picks up, swirling smoke wildly across the stage. The song itself plays like a spirit guide, taking your hand and making your bad trip a good one.

"This is your song, Melbourne... It would do my heart good to hear you sing it with me," says Neil when introducing Four Seasons In One Day. In a reviewer's life there are a few goosebump-inducing moments, and hearing this love letter played so beautifully under wild Melbourne skies is one of them. Where's My Room is a slinky and sexy number driven by Elroy Finn's thumping drum line. Taking over from his younger brother, Liam lets loose on drums. Another offering from the new record, it rumbles dangerously around in the head long after the next song is up.

Watching father and son tangle their guitars, and listening to the family weave their vocals together, is nothing short of extraordinary to witness. They never miss a beat and although their performance is tight, there is a carefree air as if we are neighbours peeking over the fence at the significantly more talented family next door jamming on a Saturday night. Message To My Girl is stunning, but what else would you expect from a song so wonderfully crafted that you can practically see beauty itself dripping all over the stage as it is played. Such is the beauty of this track, and the atmospheric joy it radiates, that it apparently sparked a marriage proposal in the audience last night. Those in the crowd snuggle a little closer to their loved ones for its duration. Liam's Cold Feet, written for his wife, is sublimely gorgeous with Sharon Finn's sighing back-up vocals almost stealing the show. He performs it with such passion it is impossible not to be caught up in the song's web.

The home stretch sees all those seated abandoning their picnics en masse to get up and dance to Weather With You, get misty to Don't Dream It's Over and sing as loudly as possible to Better Be Home Soon (as requested by Oscar, a very patient five-year-old perched on his dad's shoulders with a sign).

As far as a review goes, this is a gush. From start to finish, the audience takes a songwriting masterclass and the performances themselves are soul shaking. Predictably, Crowded House/Split Enz tunes are lapped up voraciously, however they alone are not the highlight. It is the new tracks - Meet Me In The Air in its swirling, psychedelic glory and Where's My Room in its split-in-two excitement - that crackle with the most energy. The collaborative efforts of father and sons, husband and wife, brother and brother are electric. The new Neil & Liam Finn material is brilliant, wild and frankly cannot come out soon enough.