Live Review: Neil Finn 'Out Of Silence' With Orchestra

Neil Finn turned 60 last week. 

He's been writing songs, recording albums and playing live for over 40 years.

40. Years.

So when you ask, how was the Vivid LIVE show in the newly refurbished Joan Sutherland Theatre at Sydney Opera House featuring Neil Finn, his sons Liam and Elroy, a choir of 12 including his wife Sharon and EJ Barnes (yes, Jimmy's daughter) and an orchestra, masterfully conducted and with arrangements by Victoria Kelly, stop, smack yourself in the face and remember. 

40. Years.

Out Of Silence was recorded live while being streamed on Finn's Facebook page at the end of 2017.

It only runs for 36 minutes in total but the worlds created inside each of the ten songs are enough to get lost in. Maybe it's the way they were created and recorded that makes them perfect in this setting. The first half of tonight's show is the album performed in its entirety. Although all ten songs can stand alone, they are better when presented as a whole and the orchestra and choir further prove that point, creating an almost seamless link from one song to the next; if it wasn't for Finn's banter in between.

Finn has been in better voice. He alludes to a big birthday bash that he's still recovering from. It could be that his voice is still suffering the ill effects of a big night out, but does it matter? Not a jot. There is not one person in this audience who's going to rush the stage and take umbrage with him.

The second half of the show is "the hits", with splashes of new songs from the forthcoming father-and-son album that Neil and his eldest son Liam have been working on. The new songs Where's My Room and Hold Her Close sit nicely next to Four Seasons In One Day and One Step Ahead, and it's obvious that the Finn musical legacy is well and truly safe in the arms of the next generation. 

Obligatory Don't Dream It's Over and spontaneous standing ovation done with, the Finns and choir return to the stage for an encore that unexpectedly starts with an impromptu take on Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love with Barnes owning the lead vocal.

It may be 40 years that Finn's been in the business, but the smile on his face suggests he's not done yet. Fingers crossed Fleetwood Mac don't break him.