Farewell befitting a much loved local band: Powderfinger

TWO decades ago I first saw Powderfinger slugging it out in a Brisbane battle of the bands competition.

Bernard Fanning belts out a number as Powderfinger performs at Brisbane's Riverstage. Picture: Nathan Richter

TWO decades ago I first saw Powderfinger slugging it out in a Brisbane battle of the bands competition.

Sounding like a fusion of AC/DC and Neil Young, the band was unceremoniously ousted in the preliminary round. It hardly mattered; they were already on the precipice of a brilliant career.

Now, back in Brisbane, Powderfinger is embarking on a slew of sold-out dates on their final, and aptly named, Sunsets Farewell tour.

Performing at the outdoor Riverstage, in the city's Botanical Gardens, the capacity house was treated to early sets from Operator Please and The Vines, fireworks, courtesy of the annual Riverfestival, and a final dump and burn display from a soon-to-be decommissioned trio of F-111s.

They opened with Love Your Way, and from the outset the musical chemistry within the band was impressive. Bernard Fanning was in fine voice and by Waiting For The Sun, only two songs in, the twin guitar attack of Ian Haug and Darren Middleton was in full flight.

Lost And Running provided the evening's first real singalong, while a gritty Burn Your Name took the intensity up a notch.

The stage was framed with an incandescent arch, which provided a stunning visual backdrop. Early highlights included Bless My Soul and drummer Jon Coghill's powerhouse effort on Thrilloilogy.

The camera crane, filming the event for a forthcoming DVD, was occasionally a nuisance.

Fanning encouraged the audience to "sing the shit out of" My Kind of Scene, which they duly did. Here, Middleton's panache with an electric guitar was evident. Mid-set the band retreated to a small b-stage behind the sound desk, providing the audience, towards the back of the venue, with the best seats in the house for a handful of songs. In the tighter surrounds, Coghill and bassist John Collins demonstrated their ability as one of our finer rhythm sections. The charismatic Fanning prowled the enclosure flashing his best early-70s Jagger-style handclaps.

As the final furlong approached, My Happiness drew the biggest cheer of the night, Capoicity with its psychedelic fade ventured into a U2-esque sonic terrain. A three-pronged guitar attack on Pick You Up delivered a suitable rock ending which the band ran with as they tore into (Baby I've Got You) On My Mind.

If their commercial stock was ever seen to be in decline, the ledger has been balanced by this run of dates. Not since Crowded House bade farewell from the Sydney Opera House steps has an Australian act of this stature said goodbye so perfectly.

Fittingly, Powderfinger closed the night with the stirring These Days. The emotional climax was apt. Powderfinger is a band that meant something, in very real terms, to a generation, and, as they displayed this night, the songs will remain in the collective consciousness for years to come.

Powderfinger is touring nationally until November 13.