Crowded House, the beloved Australian rock band fronted by Neil Finn, is rumored to be planning a major US tour in 2023. The band has not toured America since 2010, so fans are understandably excited about the prospect of seeing them live once again.
When will the tour be announced?
No official announcement about a US tour has been made yet by Crowded House or their management. However, based on recent reports and social media activity by Neil Finn, it appears an announcement could be coming very soon. Finn has hinted recently during interviews that the band has “exciting plans” for 2023. Many industry insiders expect that a US tour announcement will drop before the end of 2022 to capitalize on interest and allow time for promotion.
What cities might they visit?
If a US tour happens, it would likely hit many of the major markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. These cities have traditionally been strong bases of support for Crowded House and would certainly be inclusions.
Some other cities that could potentially be on the itinerary include Seattle, Portland, Austin, Atlanta, Washington DC, Detroit, Denver, Phoenix, San Diego, and Dallas. Promoters may try to schedule shows in a mix of larger arenas for the biggest cities along with more intimate theater venues in some markets.
How long will the tour last?
There are no details yet on how extensive a Crowded House US visit would be, but their last full tour in 2010 spanned nearly 2 months. If speculation is true, its likely the band would aim for a similarly lengthy trek given the pent up demand after 12+ years away.
Most major reunion tours of legacy acts tend to run anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months maximum these days. A safe estimate for a Crowded House 2023 tour would be around 8-10 weeks total if they play 25-30 shows.
Will they play new music?
Along with performing classics like “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, “Something So Strong”, and “Better Be Home Soon”, Crowded House would be expected to showcase some new music as well.
In June 2022, they released their first new studio album in over 10 years titled Dreamers Are Waiting. Reviews have been strong, so fans would surely hope to hear many of the new songs live. Mixing the best old and new material would make for an ideal setlist.
Who will open for them?
No details on potential opening acts have emerged yet. Neil Finn does have another band, Fleetwood Mac, that he sometimes still performs with when they tour. It’s possible Crowded House could have Fleetwood Mac join them at select shows if schedules align.
Other possibilities for openers could include artists with a similar alternative rock style like Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Metric, or Spoon. Up-and-coming bands looking to gain exposure from the Crowded House fans may also be considered.
How quickly will shows sell out?
If a tour is announced, expect most shows, especially in major cities, to sell out extremely quickly. News of the reunion and tour plans will spread fast once it’s official, driving up demand. Many venues will sell out immediately during presales. Scalpers and resellers will also scoop up large amounts of tickets, driving up prices.
Fans hoping to get seats without paying inflated secondary market prices will need to be ready to buy during presales. Otherwise, sellouts are inevitable in most locations.
Will tickets be expensive?
Yes, ticket prices will likely be quite high based on comparable recent legacy act reunion tours. Expect average prices to be $100-200 for lower bowl and floor seats. Upper decks and rear sections could go for $50-100 on average. VIP packages with meet & greets or premium seats will reach $500+ in some areas.
While costly, these prices reflect the significant draw Crowded House still has and the high demand that should be expected with over a decade passing since their last US tour.
How much revenue could the tour generate?
Forecasting total revenue for a US tour by Crowded House is difficult without knowing specifics on number of shows, venues, and ticket prices. However, looking at similar recent tours by bands with strong catalogs but less current mainstream popularity can provide estimates.
For instance, a 30 city US tour by Blondie in 2017 grossed just over $16 million. A 2015 trek by Lenny Kravitz brought in around $13 million from 26 shows. Using these as guidelines, a 10-12 week, 30 stop Crowded House tour in 2000-4000 seat venues could potentially gross $15-20 million. Individual shows in major markets like Los Angeles or New York City could gross over $1 million each.
City | Potential Venue | Estimated Gross Revenue |
---|---|---|
Los Angeles | The Greek Theatre | $1.2 million |
New York | Radio City Music Hall | $1.5 million |
Chicago | Chicago Theatre | $800,000 |
Boston | Boch Center Wang Theatre | $750,000 |
San Francisco | The Masonic | $600,000 |
Will a new album coincide with the tour?
It’s unlikely Crowded House will put out another new full studio album to coincide with the rumored 2023 US tour. They just released Dreamers Are Waiting in mid-2022, so another album only a year later does not fit their usual release cycle.
However, it is possible they may release a live album recorded during the upcoming tour a few months after it wraps up. They have put out live albums after past tours before. New live versions of their hits and deeper cuts could entice fans who may be on the fence about buying tickets.
What kind of production can be expected?
One of the main draws of seeing a legacy act like Crowded House on a reunion tour is the potential for an elaborate, colorful production. Fans will expect improved lighting, LED screens, pyrotechnics and other special effects compared to tours decades ago when budgets were smaller.
Modern digital projection and moving screens can extend the width and depth of the stage. Unique backdrops and lighting rigs adorned with graphics and custom animations could vividly accentuate fan favorites like “Weather With You” or “It’s Only Natural.” This is a chance for Crowded House to remind fans of their enduring musical legacy with a vibrant, exciting stage show.
Will any special guests join them?
Beyond possible Fleetwood Mac cameos mentioned earlier, a Crowded House US tour would lend itself well to other surprise guest appearances. Neil Finn and company have many famous friends and admirers in the music industry.
Possible guests that could join them for a song or two include fellow Australians like Keith Urban, Nick Cave or Tame Impala. Some American alt-rock peers like Eddie Vedder, Beck or even Rivers Cuomo also seem like good fits. These special moments would thrill fans and provide extra surprise value beyond just the regular setlist.
How will ticket resale markets be affected?
A Crowded House reunion tour announcement will create a frenzy in the secondary ticket market. Third party resellers like StubHub, VividSeats and Ticketmaster will see huge demand from fans who miss out on tickets initially. Speculators able to land seats, especially in major cities, can often relist with large markups.
Premium seats like floor tickets and front rows may resell for 400-500% above face value in some cases. Even upper deck or rear seats could see 2-3x markups. Fans frantically trying to gain access amid frenzied demand drives inflated resale prices higher and higher.
What impact could COVID resurgences have?
There is always the potential that new COVID-19 outbreaks and variants could emerge later in 2023, threatening tour plans. If an increasing number of shows need to implement health checks, require proof of vaccination, or be postponed altogether, it can significantly disrupt momentum.
Crowded House would be forced to abide by any changing local health guidelines in the cities they plan to visit, even if it means sacrificing capacity limits. Refunds for postponed or cancelled shows also dent revenue projections. However, most bands and fans remain cautiously optimistic tours can still operate safely despite virus concerns.
Will this lead to more new music and touring?
If a lengthy 2023 US tour goes smoothly, earning strong reviews and revenues, it could inspire Crowded House to continue creating new music and plan more touring cycles. The experience of playing together consistently again in front of big, enthusiastic crowds may reenergize Neil Finn and the rest of the band creatively.
The potential is there for Crowded House to recapture some of their 1980s and 1990s magic. This could mark a new chapter where they become a viable touring act again for years to come, not just a temporary reunion. Fans will certainly hope a successful 2023 tour sparks an ongoing revival.
Conclusion
A potential 2023 US tour for Crowded House has fans giddy with anticipation. Demand for tickets will be frenzied once official dates are announced. While pricing may be high and sellouts inevitable, the chance to see one of Australia’s most beloved bands perform classics like “Don’t Dream It’s Over” live will be worth it for devotees. Expect a lavish production, surprise guests, and maybe some new tunes. Here’s hoping this reunion tour marks the glorious return of Crowded House!