Tag: Powderfinger

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Middleton Goes Solo

Bernard Fanning isn’t the only former member of Powderfinger eying solo success. Darren Middleton’s also having a crack with his new single “Let Go”.

I really love this track. It’s deceptively simple, with heartfelt delivery and an awesome philosophy. It’s clear that the time Darren’s taken to release his first solo number was well spent.

“It has been two and half years now since we parted ways and the final chords rang
out as our Powderfinger tour concluded,” Darren explained. 
”Initially I intended to get straight back on
the horse to write, record and perform … all
 the things I have loved so much over the 
years, but it wasn’t to be that way for quite 
some time. I knew that I loved writing and
 making music, I just didn’t feel it straight 
away … I didn’t feel I had anything to write
 about. As time moved on, I found myself
 dealing with a lot of emotions I hadn’t 
planned on and there were some bumpy
 seas for myself and those close to me.
 From that though, arose Translations, my 
first solo album.”

Translations is scheduled to hit stores on November 1. If this song’s any indication, it’s going to be pretty special.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Sell Out Concerts Around Australia

If you hoped to catch Powderfinger on their final tour, you might be out of luck. Tickets were snapped up quickly this morning; shows sold out in minutes, and when more were added many of those sold out just as fast.

As we write, here’s what the Sunsets tour schedule’s looking like. If you want to see any of those shows that aren’t sold out, I suggest nabbing tickets quick smart. More shows may be added, but I wouldn’t want to wait around and find out!

Powderfinger Announce Australian Tour


1 September 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle (SOLD OUT)
3 September 2010 – Convention Centre, Gold Coast (SOLD OUT)
4 September 2010 – Riverstage, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
5 September 2010 – Riverstage, Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
7 September 2010 – Regional Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
9 September 2010 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (SOLD OUT)
10 September 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
11 September 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
14 September 2010 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
16 September 2010 – Memorial Drive, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
18 September 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
19 September 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
23 September 2010 – Supreme Court Gardens, Perth (SOLD OUT)
24 September 2010 – Supreme Court Gardens, Perth (SOLD OUT)
26 September 2010 – Gardens Ampitheatre, Darwin
28 September 2010 – Convention Centre, Cairns
1 October 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Townsville (SOLD OUT)
2 October 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Townsville
3 October 2010 – Showgrounds, Mackay
7 October 2010 – Showgrounds, Rockhampton
8 October 2010 – Kings Beach, Caloundra
9 October 2010 – University Of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
12 October 2010 – University Of Canberra
13 October 2010 – Sports Ground, Albury
15 October 2010 – Showgrounds, Bendigo
16 October 2010 – North Gardens, Ballarat (SOLD OUT)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Call It Quits

After seven albums and 21 years together, Powderfinger are calling it a day. Bernard Fanning, Jon Coghill, John Collins, Ian Huag, and Darren Middleton will sign out with a final Aussie tour which will make stops in 21 towns.

In a statement the band said “the Sunsets tour will be Powderfinger’s last ever run of shows. We have decided, after much deliberation and agonising, that after this final tour we will call it a day as a recording and touring band. With the completion of our last album, Golden Rule, we feel that we have said all that we want to say as a musical group. We firmly believe that it is our most complete and satisfying album and can’t think of a better way to farewell our fans than with music that we all believe in and also with, hopefully, our best tour to date.”

The Vines and Jet will join The Finger on selected shows.

Like so many music fans, I’m definitely going to miss them. At least they’re bowing out while they’re still on top, and they’re giving us all the chance to bid them a proper farewell. Tickets to the following shows go on sale on April 30 at 9 am. Mark it in your calendar, because these concerts are going to sell out.

1 September 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
3 September 2010 – Convention Centre, Gold Coast
4 September 2010 – Riverstage, Brisbane
7 September 2010 – Regional Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
9 September 2010 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
10 September 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
14 September 2010 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
16 September 2010 – Memorial Drive, Adelaide
18 September 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
24 September 2010 – Supreme Court Gardens, Perth
26 September 2010 – Gardens Amphitheatre, Darwin
28 September 2010 – Convention Centre, Cairns
1 October 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Townsville
3 October 2010 – Showgrounds, Mackay
7 October 2010 – Showgrounds, Rockhampton
8 October 2010 – Caloundra Music Festival, Kings Beach
9 October 2010 – University of Southern Qld, Toowoomba
12 October 2010 – University of Canberra
13 October 2010 – Sports Ground, Albury
15 October 2010 – Showgrounds, Bendigo
16 October 2010 – North Gardens, Ballarat

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Play Surprise Gigs Around Oz

Powderfinger surprised fans today with three shows all around the country. The gigs were announced just half an hour before they kicked off on Twitter.

It all started in Powderfinger’s hometown this morning, with 1400 fans turning up to see the band rock Post Office Square. Then it was off to Sydney to play Martin Place. Finally the band headed to Melbourne this afternoon.

The sets included several tracks from the band’s upcoming album Golden Rule, including the current single “All The Dreamers.”

Speaking in Sydney, Bernard Fanning told The Daily Telegraph things were going as planned.

“Two thirds of the way through it’s been fun – there’s been no major disasters, however the group struggled to hear each other play above the background noise,” Fanning said.

Bassist John Collins said the schedule was hectic, but “that’s the whole idea, to make it fun and full on.”

Full on indeed. It’s exciting to see a band using Twitter in such an innovative way!

Image source: Powderfinger Twitter

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Prepare "Golden Rule" CD

The wait is almost over for Powderfinger fans, with the Brisbane band preparing to release their new album, Golden Rule, in November.

“On this record we made our approach from a different angle. We made an effort to steer away from the ‘habits’, whether good or bad, that we had developed when writing together over the years. It gave the songs an entirely new energy that we have never really tapped into before” Bernard Fanning said in a statement.

The band reunited with producer by Nick DiDia (Neil Young, Pearl Jam) for the album. He previously worked with the band on Vulture Street, Odyssey Number Five, and Internationalist.

The album’s first single, “All of the Dreamers,” goes to radio on September 25 ahead of its October 16 digital release. Bernard says the track is “the most consistently upbeat song” they have ever written.

“It’s a sideways glance at the sometimes redundant nature of party politics. It’s not a particularly political song actually, in the sense that it is taking a side, just a general dissatisfaction with the way ‘democracy’ can be blindsided by the self interest that holding onto power can generate. I suppose in that sense it alludes to any kind of relationship, whether it be political, business or personal.”

Golden Rule will hit stores on November 13.

Image source: Jeanie Mackinder @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Head Up Homebake Lineup

The cream of Australia’s music industry will head to The Domain in Sydney on December 5 for the 15th anniversary of Homebake.

Powderfinger have been named as headliners, but there’s plenty more of interest on the bill. Take for example the reunions of Underground Lovers and Tumbleweed, with original line-ups no less. The line-up also boasts “A special performance by Tim Finn,” as if his regular slots weren’t special enough. And acts that spend most of their time abroad like Sia, Daniel Merriweather, and Midnight Juggernauts will also make their presence felt. Add perennial favourites Jet, Hilltop Hoods, Eskimo Joe, Sarah Blasko, and more and you’ve got the recipe for a rollicking good time.

Tickets are on sale from August 17 from Ticketek, Moshtix, and the Homebake website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rolling Stone Founder Loves Powderfinger

Powderfinger are tipped for success in the United States after they impressed Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner. He was in Sydney last week to relaunch the Australian version of the rock bible, and was wowed by the Brisbane rockers.

“We will be working a little harder on Powderfinger in the US,” he told The Sunday Telegraph. “They sound a little U2-ish, which is a sound I love.”

You couldn’t ask a lot more than the backing of Rolling Stone, could you? Looks like Bernard and the boys could be set for big things!

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Sells Out

I told you it would happen. But if you still procrastinated about getting those Powderfinger tickets you’re going to kick yourself. Those original shows in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne sold out in around five minutes.

But don’t stress too much. The lovely lads from Brisvegas have announced second shows at all the venues. They’re on sale now, so don’t think about it: just buy them.

The new shows are:

8 June 2008 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
12 June 2008 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
14 June – The Forum, Melbourne

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Plan Ultimate Tour

Powderfinger fans are in with a real treat, with the band announcing their first theatre shows in eight years. While the entertainment centre tours are always a spectacular, they don’t really offer the personal experience of smaller gigs. These shows will offer that and then some.

Powderfinger will perform two sets separated by an intermission. They’ll rock out for half the show, and strip things back acoustically in the other. Too cool.

“For this tour we’re doing something a little different, something a little more intimate,” Darren Middleton explained to AAP.

But it gets better. Fans can get online and vote for their favourite Powderfinger songs to help the band choose their set list.
Punters are in for a double treat with brilliant Victorian singer-songwriter Whitley providing the tour’s support.

With the band playing smaller venues, these tickets won’t last. Make sure you get yours when they go on sale on Friday 11 April.

The Upstairs at the Downstairs Tour will take in the following venues:
6 June 2008 – Lake Kawana Centre, Sunshine Coast
9 June 2008 – Tivoli, Brisbane
11 June 2008 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
13 June 2008 – The Forum, Melbourne
17 June 2008 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
19 June 2008 – Metro City, Perth

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musicians Honoured in Brisvegas

Brisbane has produced some of Australia’s finest musicians. Now they’ve been honoured with a very special rock ‘n’ roll Walk of Fame.

Ten plaques will honor the city’s prominent musical exports, including the Bee Gees, Powderfinger, The Go Betweens, Savage Garden, and Keith Urban.  

Deputy Mayor David Hinchcliffe told the ABC he hopes the plaques in Brunswick St Mall will become a local tourist attraction. He also hopes to expand the walk in future.

“There are a few that we hope will make the cut in years to come because we will continue the walk of fame,” he said.

“These are just the first 10 steps and in future years I would expect the likes of Billy Thorpe, Resin Dogs, the Noonan family, The Veronicas.”

Image source: Jeaneem at Flickr