Neil Finn Leads Concerts To Help Samoan Tsunami Victims

Crowded House frontman Neil Finn joined his brother Tim and a host of performers from the South Pacific for a special concert to raise funds for victims of this month’s devastating Tsunami in Samoa on Monday night.

Held at the Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, the show was organized by Samoan rappers Savage and Scribe, who both lost family in the disaster. Also on stage were the cream of Kiwi performers, including Dave Dobbyn.

“You won’t see this combination probably anywhere else, ever again,” said the Finn brothers. “One of the nice upshots of this united effort is that you get a bill that is incredibly diverse and eclectic.”

The concert tour headed to Christchurch on Tuesday night, and will visit three other cities, ending in the capital city of Wellington later this week. A further concert will be held in the Samoan capital of Apia on October 31. Over $250,000 has been raised so far, but as the concert organizers say, much more is needed.

“It’s pretty dire,” said Scribe. “I think they need something like $190 million to really rebuild, which is a phenomenal amount of money. I don’t know if we can raise $190 million with this concert – but every bit counts.”

“There is Samoan influence [in New Zealand] on culture, music, arts, fashion – it’s immense,” added Neil Finn. “So it’s no wonder we relate to their dilemma.”