Review: Split Enz Reclaim Their Crown in Tāmaki Makaurau

There is nothing like the energy that fills an arena when the original hometown heroes return. On a cold, rainy night, Split Enz didn't just play a concert; they reclaimed their legacy. From the first vintage footage on the big screen to the final spoons, the energy was outrageous. Having seen them deliver one of the standout sets at Electric Avenue, I went in with high expectations, and they didn't disappoint.

The night began with Wellington band Hans Pucket. Sharing a record label with indie legends The Beths, they brought an unexpected and amazing vibe. Their slightly nervous energy and intricate instrumental arrangements proved why they were the perfect selection to join Split Enz on tour. Hans Pucket started a little slowly, but as the crowd trickled in and the set progressed, they began to win everyone over with their dry humour and stage presence.

The band felt almost like a mirror of early Split Enz, featuring two brothers on vocals and an instrumental arrangement that was out of this world. Their blend of chill rock and oddball arrangements was the perfect way to warm up the crowd.

Five minutes before the main act, I looked around to see Spark Arena packed to the rafters. It was a sea of fans ranging from those who first saw the band in 1972 to teenagers wearing fresh 2026 tour merch. Then, the lights went down, and the screens began a retrospective of archival footage. The grainy clips of the 70s, the makeup, the hair, and the madness were a wonderful touch that paid respect to their long history.

Then, in true Enz style, an orange cloth walked onto the stage. The lights flashed, and there they were, the moment everyone had been waiting for. The cloth was pulled away, the band was revealed, and the arena erupted into a standing ovation that lasted until they finally reached their instruments.

The first couple of songs got the crowd rocking, but by the time the band launched into the classic "History Never Repeats," any sense of "sitting and observing" had vanished. The crowd's singing was so thunderous it felt like the roof of Spark Arena might actually lift off.

During the first interaction with the crowd, Tim, dressed in an eye-catching orange suit, admitted they hadn't expected to tour again, but after the Electric Avenue set, it simply "felt right." A lovely touch to his welcome was his acknowledgement of the city as Tāmaki Makaurau.

Throughout the set, there was a brilliant mix of slower songs that spotlighted individual members, contrasted with high-energy hits that had the audience singing louder than the band. The banter between the brothers remains the secret sauce of the live experience. Neil, in his signature blue, reminisced with Tim about their early days in Auckland. They talked about the struggle, the move to Australia, and their eventual superstardom, long before the music swept back in.

"Nobody Takes Me Seriously" was my highlight of the first half. The vocal arrangements were as tight as they were in 1980, proving that the harmonic DNA of the Enz is still very much intact.

One of the funniest moments of the night was when Neil told a story about hitchhiking to a show in 1974. "I got dropped off in Greenlane and didn’t know how to get to Parnell. I was wasted." It was a moment that bridged the gap between the legends on stage and the fans who had lived those same decades alongside them.

Another standout was "Double Happy." The lighting was stripped back to single spotlights on the members while the big screen displayed colourful animations of their iconic True Colours era suits.

This instrumental track was a great nod to their history. The moment was wrapped up by Tim, who introduced the newer band members. While the "new guys" were dressed in older-style costumes, the veteran members wore suits that reflected their growth, a more "toned-down" but still distinctively Enz style.

As the set moved from ballads back to hits, the intensity remained high. The "big" part of the night began with "Six Months in a Leaky Boat," introduced by that unmistakable, haunting piano introduction. Even now, Tim nailed the whistle solo with effortless precision, leading the crowd into a massive "Wooo-wooo-wooo" singalong that felt like a spiritual incantation.

Just when I thought the crowd couldn't get louder, they launched into "I Got You" and "I See Red." At this point, the arena was no longer a concert venue; it was an electrical storm. The chorus of "I Got You" was likely audible across the harbour. It was refreshing to see very few phones out; everyone was simply in the moment, dancing their hearts out. “I See Red” stretched into a frantic five-minute jam before the band finally left the stage to a deafening roar.

The crowd refused to let the night end, screaming and stomping for a full three minutes until the Enz returned. Neil announced, "We want to have some fun, so here is an old one."

They dove into "Spellbound," followed by a gut-wrenching performance of "I Hope I Never," where the vocals were so clear and emotionally raw they silenced the room. They finished the night with the funky, percussive "This Could Be Heaven," featuring the mandatory appearance of the spoons. It was a chaotic, joyful end to a near-perfect set.

Final Thoughts

Speaking to people outside the venue, the sentiment was clear. One fan noted, "It resonated with us... our life journey." Another added, "We listened to the album on the way to the show, but it means nothing once you see it live."

Walking towards the Strand road, the concert didn't feel over. Groups of people were still singing the chorus of "I Got You" in the rain. Split Enz in 2026 isn't a "legacy act" or a "tribute to the past." They are a reminder of what happens when you combine an uncompromising artistic vision with pure melodic craftsmanship.

If this is indeed the final time we see the orange and blue suits on an Auckland stage, we couldn't have asked for a more spectacular goodbye. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Total, unadulterated magic.

If you're worried you missed out, you're in luck! There are still limited tickets for their final show tonight (Sunday, 10th of May), which can be purchased here.