Split Enz tease new album ahead of first tour in 17 years: ‘We’d make a really good record now’

Split Enz is currently touring in May 2026 with their “Forever Enz” reunion tour across New Zealand and Australia. Prior to this 50th-anniversary tour, the band last performed together at a one-off benefit concert in 2009, following a brief tour in 2008

Split Enz (1972–1984) was an experimental, theatrical art-rock New Zealand band known for colorful costumes and art-pop, while Crowded House (formed 1985) was the more pop-oriented, globally successful successor band formed by Split Enz’s final songwriter Neil Finn and drummer Paul Hester

Crowded House toured last year, 2025, following the release of their album Gravity Stairs.

From 1977 to 1984, Split Enz emerged as one of Australasia’s most prominent musical acts following the departure of founding member Phil Judd and the subsequent addition of Neil Finn on guitar. The group achieved widespread commercial success, producing an impressive catalog of hits including the international chart-topper *I Got You*, as well as *Six Months in a Leaky Boat*, *Message to My Girl*, *One Step Ahead*, *History Never Repeats*, among others.

Initially rooted in folk influences, Split Enz evolved into pioneers of the new wave movement. Their distinctive, intellectually engaging compositions were driven by the songwriting prowess of the Finn brothers, while artistic director Noel Crombie contributed visionary aesthetics—including occasional unconventional spoon solos—to their innovative sound.