Neil Finn of Crowded House and Split Enz plays at Boulder Theater in Colorado.

Neil Finn Concert Photos from Boulder Theater

I first heard “Don’t Dream It’s Over” as I was pulling into the mall parking lot in 1986. I was late for work at the record store, but I just sat in my car as this gorgeous song floated all around me. I bought Crowded House’s first album that night and they have been my all-time favorite band for 30 years now.

I went back in time and fell in love with Split Enz, and pretty much anything Neil Finn has done during his entire career. No joke, we named our cat Finn after the man. That’s devotion.

When Neil toured the US in 2014 without a Denver date, we built a trip to Los Angeles around his show at the Orpheum. Sure, it was nice to take my son to Disneyland, but it was more important to me that HE SAW NEIL FINN IN CONCERT.

Neil Finn at the Boulder Theater, 2016

When I heard about Neil playing at the Telluride Bluegrass festival, my husband said, “You wait… he’ll add more Colorado dates.” I was a bit skeptical but flew to the moon when two Boulder shows popped up, with Liam Finn opening no less. And his wife Sharon back on bass.

I have been super lucky to be able to photograph many of my musical idols, but this was THE ONE. Nervous doesn’t exactly cover how I felt. More like nauseous? Petrified? Unable to sleep the night before?

So, imagine how thrilled I was when one of the three events I lost in my data crash was… you guessed it… Neil. Fucking. Finn.

In the end, I was lucky to find high-resolution thumbnails and was able to at least get some of the photos back – enough for this post – even though I am sad to not have the “real” files. Not to mention, I had to shoot the show the Boulder Theater bar because of the nature of how the seats were set up for this show.

Not that I am complaining.

I got to photograph my favorite singer, songwriter, and performer – of all time – and then come back the second night to just see the show.

Thanks Neil.

Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016

Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016 Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016

Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016

Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016 Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016

Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016

Liam and Neil Finn perform in Boulder, 2016

Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016 Sharon Finn

Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016

Neil Finn - Boulder Concert 2016

Setlist For Neil Finn – June 21, 20166 Boulder – Night One

Edible Flowers (The Finn Brothers song)
Fall at Your Feet (Crowded House song)
One Step Ahead (Split Enz song)
Pony Ride
Silent House (Crowded House song)
Dizzy Heights
Message to My Girl (Split Enz song)
Driving Me Mad
She Will Have Her Way
Locked Out (Crowded House song)
Anytime
English Trees (Crowded House song)
Don’t Dream It’s Over (Crowded House song)
Titu Awami
Pineapple Head (Crowded House song)
Won’t Give In (The Finn Brothers song)
Distant Sun (Crowded House song)
Gentle Hum (The Finn Brothers song)
Law Is On Your Side
Four Seasons in One Day (Crowded House song)

Encore:
History Never Repeats (Split Enz song)
I Got You (Split Enz song)

If for some reason you are not familiar with Neil Finn (gasp!), here is a playlist of all my favorite Finn / Split Enz / Crowded House songs.

This article has 3 comments

  1. Karen

    Thanks you for sharing your great
    You are a kindred spirit! I too fell in love with Crowded House the first time I heard them and then was lucky enough to see them while visiting LA in 1986. I’ve loved it all! Fortunately living in Denver has been a great city for seeing Neil Finn, Finn Brothers and Crowded House!

    While our way back from the second show in Boulder last month (we went both nights) I told my sister that I don’t know what my life would have been like without Neil Finn’s music. I thought it might have sounded silly but it’s true.

    • Aimee Giese

      Awww, I love that, Karen! I was able to see Crowded House for the first time in DC in 1987 and have rarely missed a tour since. Such a great band, and such a great singer/songwriter. 🙂

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