Wrapping Up Another Show from Russel Crowe’s Indoor Garden Party in London

Did you know that Russell Crowe heads a band called The Gentleman Barbers? And that they’re back on the road after a smash success tour in 2017?

Billed officially as ‘Russel Crowe’s Indoor Garden Party Featuring the Gentleman Barbers and Special Guests’, this mashup band touches on genres like rock, folk, and blues. They recently wrapped their second headliner show at O2 Arena in London, a repeat of a stellar 2017 performance.

Now, the Indoor Garden Party will pack up and head to Italy before heading across the pond to the United States. The tour will wrap in late August with a final show at Tipitina’s in New Orleans—a solid venue pick for any folk-blues band.

The band first performed together in 2009, albeit in an impromptu fashion long after a famous bar had closed its doors in London. Fifteen years later, there’s one question yet to be answered: does Crowe’s onstage show still meet the hype?

The answer this year was yes—and things really ended with a smash this time around.

The Indoor Garden Party—Part I (2017)

Given the band’s start, it should come as no surprise that Russel Crowe’s Indoor Garden Party prefers unannounced concerts over planned tours. That type of jam-band mentality is a solid sign that this group has some serious flow—but it’s not always a good sign for scheduled events. In other words, can bandmates make that magic on command?

Back in 2017, the Indoor Garden Party was a surprise success. Most people were unaware that Crowe had any affiliation with music—and few had high hopes for him and the Gentleman Barbers. But most walked away with a sense of surprise and appreciation.

Crowe, for all his bullish roles and strange media exploits, delivered a top-tier show back in 2017. One that garnered another tour and album release in the subsequent years.

A Pivot from Crowe

That being said, it might have been a purposeful move for Crowe to pivot back toward music. His most recent project on the big screen was Poker Face, which he directed and starred in. The film touches on the popularity (and global reach) of casino games, from slots to blackjack.

Like the title suggests, the script focuses on one particularly high-stakes game of poker between friends–one that quickly devolves into a dramatic blow-out that involves an art heist. It builds on the style and wit of other casino hits like the Ocean’s Eleven franchise and even earlier cult hits like Rounders.

Unfortunately, Poker Face flopped in the box office and with most critics. And without any cameo in the upcoming Gladiator sequel, it doesn’t look like Crowe’s relationship with Hollywood will be rekindling any time in the next few years.

The Indoor Garden Party, Part II

Thankfully for Crowe, his second international tour heading the Indoor Garden Party has gone well so far—even if his London show ended with a bit of a bang. Following a final song onstage at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire venue, Crowe and other members of the band headed outside for one-on-one time with fans.

Unfortunately, a scuffle broke out between diehard fans who were waiting for a meet-and-greet. According to sources, the venue’s promoter was one of the key participants in the scuffle, which involved pushing as individuals lined up to wait. No one was hurt, with Crowe and the rest of the band quickly heading back inside.

Fans later went on to positively review the show—adding to the already-positive legacy of Crowe’s second tour. There’s also a romantic angle this time around. The newly single Crowe has been making headlines as he’s been seen with a new love interest while on the tour—one that culminated in a romantic outing in Rome.

However, with another month left on his tour, it’s unclear whether the romance is serious. Given Crowe’s recent admissions about his previous divorce and his penchant for playboy antics, there’s a strong chance that Crowe will move on before the band’s final show in New Orleans.