Powderfinger - One Last Time

Date: Thursday 3 June, 2010, 9.00pm
Venue: Acadmey 2, Manchester
Face value: £18.50
Support Act: Bob Evans
Gig buddy: The Husband plus a coupla hundred Aussies

Remember the Ash Cloud That Shall Not Be Mentioned? Well, it turns out that it had a silver lining to it. Popular Aussie rock band, Powderfinger (all hail The 'Finger) were meant to play Manchester on The Husband's birthday, when we were meant to be in Australia. But because of the ash cloud that stopped us swapping hemispheres it also meant that the Brisbane boys couldn't get to Old Blighty either. Bad times. However, a good friend of mine (hereafter known as The Rock Goddess) had tickets to the show, which was re-scheduled for 3 June and since she was having major dental surgery yesterday, she generously face-valued those tix my way. Good times.

Doesn't sound like a big deal right? Except that Powderfinger are splitting up and this is their last tour ever. Yeah - ever. The now-swollen chipmunk-faced Rock Goddess is taking extra meds just to cope with the pain of her incredibly bad luck.

Anyways, on with the show. We imbibe a Swedish beer or two at Kro Bar across the road as usual and miss the support act (Bob Evans). Not heard of him and not fussed - we were late anyway on account of working our little cottons off this week.

Powderfinger start the set with a rocking tune probably from the last album that I haven't procured yet before getting into 'Lost and Running' from the Dream Days at the Hotel Existence album. It's a favourite track of mine, and I'm disappointed that it starts sloppily however two verses in it finds the bridge, the key change and it knocks up a gear. Bernard's voice is as good as ever. I swear I'm the only person in the room who's loving this song, but nevermind.

All the favourites make the set list (These Days, Don't Wanna Be Left Out, My Happiness and My Kind of Scene) and there is even a tip of the cap to one of their oldest hits: Pick You Up. 15 years since that came out - god I feel old now. The boys still know how to rock it, and the show was a great finale to the years of gigs I have seen them play. 2 encores and I'm a little misty (if I'm totally honest I was choking up a bit) when they did an extended accoustic version of These Days with Bernard on the piano.

Verdict: Yes, it was my kind of scene alright. Shame the party is over*.

Rating: 4 and half memorable guitars, easy.

*Bernard is doing solo stuff, so you can still hear his stunning vocals on Tea and Sympathy. Buy it here