Liam Finn / Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

It's a hard knock life as the first opening act on a bill. No matter who you want to reach with your performance, you're often stuck with a small crowd of audience members slowly trickling in and talkatively preparing for the headliner as you play through your set. It was a testament to up-and-coming Kiwi multi-instrumentalist Liam Finn's star power then, that Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg was packed with admiring fans singing along to the troubadour's opening set for Apollo Sunshine and Pela last night (Feb. 27).

Along with instrumentalist and close friend E.J., Finn, who is the son of Crowded House founder Neil Finn, animatedly recreated the psych-pop of tracks off of his recently released debut LP, I'll Be Lightning, with the help of looping pedals and his propulsive and animated drumming style -- dude can crash a kit, that's for sure!

The album's rocking title track and the slinky pop of "Better to Be" were highlights of the half-hour set, as was Finn's affable, easygoing stage presence and humorous antics. Speaking to SPIN.com before the show, Liam explained that the gig marked his first ever visit to Brooklyn, and that now he's considering a move. Judging by his performance and the crowd's rapturous applause, it appears Brooklyn will be happy to have him. I'll Be Lightning is out now on Yep Roc Records.

The hirsute Finn serenades his future neighbors / Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

Alongside his musical pal E.J., Finn strums the six-string / Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

Finn stealing show one theatrical move at a time / Photo by Beowulf Sheehan

Finn adds a little thunder to 'lightning' on the drums / Photo by Beowulf Sheehan