TORONTO -- "We'll schedule a mid-set dip in the water," joked New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn, after just one song into his hour-and-45-minute sweltering show at the Palais Royale on Tuesday night.

Conditions that might have broken other artists -- can somebody please install more fans or a proper ventilation system in the otherwise wonderfully situated venue on the lake? -- seemed to spur Finn and his excellent four piece band on.

"It really is truly hot enough in here to be hell," commented Finn after seven songs. "But it's a pleasant hell. If you people blow at the same time, we might get a decent breeze."

Perhaps lifelong exposure to the Kiwi climate worked in Finn's favour. Or the hearty reception from the sold-out crowd who snapped up tickets in all of a week. Or the fact, that the man is just a consummate professional. Or maybe it was just his astonishing 25-year songbook of melodic pop brimming with sweet harmonies.

Whatever it was, Finn was in gorgeous voice and fine, funny disposition as he expertly led the sweaty, water-swilling audience through songs from his work with Crowded House and Split Enz, and as a solo artist.

Here is a performer who has an innate chemistry with his audience and is clearly in his element on stage. And he sure knows how to choose his backing band with striking performances in particular from pianist-violin player-vocalist Lisa Germano -- who took her own solo turn with the song Paper Doll -- and Soul Coughing's Sebastian Steinberg on bass.

Touring in support of his latest solo record, One All, Finn delighted song after song despite what he described as "oppressive conditions."

Tune treats included such Enz classics as One Step Ahead and History Never Repeats, Crowded House gems One In A Million -- featuring just Finn on acoustic guitar and guitarist Shon Sullivan on piano -- and Distant Sun with Finn entirely alone on stage.

Souvenirs, Sinner and She Will Have Her Way -- from Finn's 1998 solo debut, Try Whistling This -- also soared and scored while Driving Me Mad, Hole In The Ice, The Climber, Lullaby Requiem and Anytime -- the latter which should be One All's breakout hit -- should be singled out for special mention among the new material.

Still, it was Crowded House songs World Where You Live and Don't Dream It's Over which prompted the biggest crowd sing-alongs of the night.

Finn promised he would return next year with brother Tim following a new Finn Brothers album.

Maybe by then, there'll be air conditioning.