When Crowded House split up in 1996, bidding a fond farewell to their fans with a memorable concert on the footsteps of Sydney Opera House before an estimated crowd of 150,000, they bowed out at the very height of their success after a run of hit albums and singles across the globe.

The disbandment of the biggest group to ever emerge from New Zealand was mourned by their millions of fans who thought the group still had so much more to offer at the time.

The group’s leader and principal songwriter Neil Finn had desires though to pursue some solo projects which he successfully did with a number of hit albums over the ensuing ten years as well as recording a second record with his brother Tim (an original member of Crowded House himself and founder member of the popular New Zealand band Split Enz).

But by the middle of this decade, Neil Finn admitted to missing being part of a band and all that goes with it and in 2006, to the delight of all those that had long wished for it to happen, Crowded House reconvened for a massive World Tour and subsequently released a critically acclaimed comeback album entitled ‘Time On Earth’.

It was as if time had stood still for Crowded House as the new record was littered with hook-laden, beautifully crafted, fantastically melodic pop songs like those that had so defined their earlier career albums and the concerts the band went on to play around the world sold out everywhere and received much praise.

Now the group are back out ‘on the road’ again in support of their brand new album, ‘The Intriguer’, set for imminent release.

The Crowded House tour pulled up in Manchester last week for two shows at the Apollo theatre and it was business as usual with the group offering up a masterclass in perfect rock/pop, all performed with such effortless style and with bags of boyish enthusiasm that the crowd just lapped up.

There’s no formalities with this band, everything they do seems spontaneous and they interact with their audience better than most, actively encouraging the first few rows of fans to rush towards the stage to create that greater level of intimacy and those fans certainly didn’t need telling twice, seemingly much to the annoyance of some over zealous venue security.

The second night of the band’s Manchester engagement had a little extra special atmosphere with it being the occasion of Neil Finn’s 51st birthday.

The ever youthful singer, though sporting a slightly dodgy looking tache these days, was duly serenaded with a rousing chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ by the crowd and seemed genuinely moved by the level of affection directed his way.

With a stage bedecked by a strange array of glowing rabbits, ducks, geese, teddy bears and gnomes, Crowded House played a two hour set which was a well-balanced mix of both new material, as a taster for the forthcoming album, classic oldies from their bulging back catalogue and a number of surprises as well. The surprises included an impromptu rendition of the Sex Pistols’ ‘Pretty Vacant’, a stunning performance of David Bowie’s ‘Moonage Daydream’ and, a guest appearance from Manchester legend and ex Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr(receiving a returning hero’s welcome), which saw the band play a couple of The Smiths classic tunes.

But it was Crowded House’s own most memorable songs such as ‘Weather With You’, ‘Four Seasons In One Day’, ‘It’s Only Natural’, ‘Distant Sun’ and of course, ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ - the show’s closing number – all of which were performed impeccably, that had the entire crowd on their feet and singing along word perfect.

Crowded House might never have enjoyed the cool status that some other bands enjoy and covet but what they may lack in the hip stakes, they more than make up for in terms of the pure talent that they possess in spades and that ultimately, is what ensures a band’s longevity.

And the second coming of Crowded House is proving to be every bit as successful as their previous incarnation and long may it continue.