Crowd comes together for Split Enz reunion

History sometimes repeats, it turns out, in an electrifying Split Enz reunion show transcending the limits of time.

In true Split Enz style, New Zealand’s art rock legends burst onto stage rocking colourful suits to a rapturous reception at Christchurch's Hagley Park, opening with the punky, high-energy Shark Attack.

The exclusive headline set at Electric Avenue marked the band's first performance in almost 20 years, with celebrated song-writing siblings Tim and Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie joined by Matt Eccles and James Milne.

The Finn brothers proudly declared it was their 1000th gig after being “placed on 999 for a lot of years”, looking more like dapper gentlemen than veteran rockers.

Split Enz songs are still resonating decades later, with festival-goers singing every word to their greatest hits including History Never Repeats, Poor Boy, Dirty Creature, One Step Ahead, Give It a Whirl, My Mistake, I Got You and the beloved Message to My Girl.

Bathed in Friday night’s sunset glow, hundreds also gathered beyond the festival fence to hear their anthems come alive in an 80-minute set.

The band’s trademark flamboyance and theatrical flair were on show, with a “ta-da!” moment entrance cloaked in a big shape-shifting cape and a silly but impressive spoon-playing session before the silverware was dished out to the crowd.

Six Months in a Leaky Boat proved an enduring crowd favourite, with Split Enz leading the masses in an exuberant sing-along, while I See Red brought the show to a close in a rock and roll frenzy.

The band’s enduring appeal spans generations, with 20-year-old Wellingtonian Luca Olsen enthusing about a performance that exceeded all expectations.

“I bought a ticket just so I could see Split Enz and it was phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. They were perfect. I’m so in awe of how good they were,” he said.

“My father saw Split Enz when he was 14 years old. I’ve been talking to him the whole night, I’ve been sending him videos.”

Split Enz superfans Wayne Wheeler and Chris Cassidy claimed coveted front of stage spots an hour before the show, where they sang along to every word.

“My feet hurt, my throat hurts, I think I’ve gone deaf but it was fantastic. I’m so glad they dressed up,” Cassidy said.

The pair’s 40-year friendship began when they joined the Split Enz fan club ‘Frenz of the Enz’ and became penpals, sending letters between Wheeler’s home in the United States and Cassidy’s in Sydney.

Wheeler joined Cassidy for the show in Christchurch at the start of a seven-week holiday, following his retirement a week ago on the cusp of his 65th birthday

“We met when we were young teens and now we’re retired, still friends and still loving the same music, it’s great,” he said.

Wheeler even has a special Split Enz tattoo inked in America, a red and black Maori-style motif resembling album cover artwork wrapped around his ankle.

“I like quirky and odd and unique. Split Enz was always on my list, I thought I’d never get to see them, it’s so exciting,” he said.

Cassidy has just turned 60 and has also recently retired, decades after penning her first letter to Wheeler about their shared love of Split Enz.

“I grew up seeing them, every time they came to Sydney I was there, front row. They got me because they were just so odd. There was a lot of odd music in the 70s but they just had a strange mix of catchy tunes, weird subject matter and I loved how they dressed up,” she said.

“I just adore them, they’re still my favourite band after all these years.”

Christchurch’s Barb Watson, 61, was also revelling in a “bucket list moment” after seeing Split Enz play shortly before the band broke up in the 1980s.

“I love the energy. There are people from my age all the way down to 18-year-olds and we all know the words. The idea that music really permeates us as a culture is really apparent here,” she said.

“I actually met my husband at a Tim Finn concert in Lyttelton when he was playing at the Harbour Light Theatre. My now-husband’s brother was playing guitar for him, so there’s a little bit of a connection.”

Watson was enthusiastic about the young fan base and older festival crowd.

“I haven’t felt old. At an event like this I don’t think it matters, everyone is enjoying the music. I’ve got good shoes, I’ve got my rain poncho, I’ve worn my hat, but comfortable shoes are a defo. There’s a lot of skin on display here today, I think they’re really brave, I wouldn’t be doing it,” she said.

Sophia Russell won her Electric Avenue ticket the day before the festival opened.

Perched on a camp stool, “dangerously close to 60” with a book to pass the time between shows - Tough Women Adventure Stories - Russell was also delighting in people-watching and a quake-damaged city reborn.

“I was a little anxious, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve already been at work so I brought myself a little stool for between gigs, a little camp stool, and I’ve got my book about inspirational women, so I thought that’s perfect,” she said.

“I moved back from the States because I loved Christchurch so much, despite the earthquakes. I wanted to be back here for the rebirth and I feel like this is it, we’ve done it. It’s amazing being here. It’s a very special place.”

A crowd of 90,000 people is expected over Electric Avenue's two days, with Grammy-nominated Australian house DJ/producer Dominic Matheson, known as Dom Dolla, headlining Saturday's event.

Sporting a loud “back to the 80s” shirt, Christchurch’s Peter Costello, 64, had some sage advice for over-60s festival-goers contemplating day two.

“Get out of bed a bit late, rock n’ roll, just do everything a bit slower,” he said.