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Split Enz 'Forever Enz' Australian Tour Setlist Revealed

Mary Varvaris

Split Enz began their 'Forever Enz' reunion tour across Australia in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Split Enz
Split Enz(Credit: Karen Inderbitzen-Waller)
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Split Enz are finally back and touring Australia for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The band launched their Forever Enz reunion run in New Zealand, headlining this year’s Electric Avenue Festival in February, ahead of kicking off the tour in their native country earlier this month. Now, it’s Australia’s turn.

The tour has been met with phenomenal demand, with extra shows added in multiple cities, and following the cancellation of Bluesfest—which Split Enz were set to headline—a Brisbane date was added to the itinerary.

Comprising key members Tim Finn, Eddie Rayner, Neil Finn, and Noel Crombie, plus Matt Eccles on drums and James Milne on bass, last night (13 May) marked the band’s first show of the tour, first of two nights in Melbourne, and their first Australian show in 17 years.

Split Enz took over Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena with a set of undeniable classics as well as some surprising deep cuts. Look away now if you don’t want to be spoiled on the setlist.

Split Enz at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, 13 May Setlist:

Shark Attack

History Never Repeats

Poor Boy

Nobody Takes Me Seriously

Give It a Whirl

Dirty Creature

Time for a Change

One Step Ahead

Missing Person

Message to My Girl

Double Happy

Stuff and Nonsense

Matinee Idyll (129)

My Mistake

Hard Act to Follow

Pioneer

Six Months in a Leaky Boat

I Got You

I See Red

Encore:

Spellbound

I Hope I Never

Strait Old Line (With Noel Crombie spoon solo)

Following last night’s show, Split Enz perform a second show at Rod Laver Arena tonight (14 May). The tour continues at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 16 May, two nights at Sydney’s TikTok Entertainment Centre (formerly known as ICC Sydney) on Monday, 18 and Tuesday, 19 May, and Perth’s RAC Arena on Friday, 22 May. It concludes at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena on Monday, 25 May.

For the Australian dates, Split Enz are joined by special guests Vika & Linda. The band’s first Sydney show is sold out, and remaining tickets to the other shows are available here.

Formed by Tim Finn in New Zealand in 1972 before relocating to Australia in 1975, Split Enz are the masterminds behind some of the most beloved hits of the ‘70s and ‘80s, including I Got You, Message To My Girl, Six Months On A Leaky Boat, History Never Repeats, One Step Ahead, and many more.

Split Enz disbanded in 1984 and have only periodically reunited for tours and special events, including the 2009 Sound Relief concert, which, coincidentally, was the band’s last show in Australia.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Split Enz’s debut album, Mental Notes, which the band celebrated by releasing the first instalment of a landmark archival project, ENZyclopedia Volumes One & Two.