Gig Watch: Powderfinger

By Sean Lynch

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Powderfinger delivered one for the fans

GALLERY : Powderfinger Live At The Forum

The strange thing about radio-supported bands is that as music consumers, we more often than not, become desensitized to the effect of the music itself.

And that seems to be the case with Powderfinger. We seem to be so unaffected by their material (thanks to the sheer level of airplay they get) that we often forget just GOOD they really are.

I've yet to venture into Melbourne Forum venue and be disappointed by the vibe of the place. Even by Bernard Fanning openly admitted early on in the set "At least if you get bored of us, you can always look at how cool the roof it".

A truer word has never been spoken.

Thankfully, for the band and fans alike, there were few opportunities to take stock of the surroundings as Powderfinger unleashed hit after hit on it's audience.

Fresh from the monster Across The Great Divide tour with their fellow Aussie industry heavyweight chums Silverchair, The 'Finger delivered a swashbuckling set as voted by the fans all across Australia on their "Upstairs Downstairs" Tour. A Tour which seems to have been inspired by Dave Grohl & Co - with two sets included from the band. One acoustic and one electric.

One thing you do realise, more so than the level of quality the guys have churned out since the mid-90s, is just how much a lot of these songs mean to the crowd. The packed house was filled with those in their late twenties (on the verge of crossing into the era of the big 3-0). A collective mass of those desperately trying to cling onto their last memories of youth and their drunken years at Uni singing Passenger.

The upside of this rather sad position is that this crowd is Powderfinger's for life now. The same way Paul Kelly still pulls a strong crowd 20 years on, Powderfinger will sit happily in the same position - churning out songs which take everyone present back to a better time in their lives. An unbreakable time bond like that is money in the bank!

The acoustic set was whipped out first, and let it be said, that even without electric guitars driving the song - these tunes are sublime. Early highlights were an epically toned down version of Waiting For The Sun, with a triumphant country & western version of Bless My Soul coming in a close second. Then there is a track like Lost & Running which was destined for greatness before it was even conceived.

Intermission soon reared it's ugly head, with a swarm of satisfied punters racing towards the bar. The front rows cleared quicker than an elevator with a fart in it.

Then came the electric set. With one hit after the other, sing-a-long the order of the day. The best on offer were the oft forgotten tracks of, arguably, Powderfinger's finest album "Odyssey #5". But for mine, there was simply no competition for the explosive finale of (Baby I've Got You) On My Mind.

Everyone left with a smile on their face, with the satisfaction knowing that every song heard that evening could be played over and over for the next decade of their life - and still bring them the same satisfaction it did when they first heard it.

POWDERFINGER GALLERY - Click Image To Enlarge

Bernard Fanning & JC knew exactly how to please the Powderfinger crowd

Overall: 90%

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