Powderfinger - Hammersmith Apollo

Great show from Aussie favorites Powderfinger at the Hammersmith Apollo. Show opened with new album opener "Head Up In The Clouds" but included a stack of old favorites like "My Kind of Scene" and "Love Your Way".

We'd been to see Ryan Adams and The Cardinals at this same venue only a few weeks ago, so it made an interesting comparison. The production for the Powderfinger show was excellent. Great sound, good lighting, and the stage set-up of four large Turkish rugs across the stage - one each for guitarist Ian Haug, singer Bernard Fanning, guitarist Darren Middleton and bassist John Collins- worked great.

Bulk of the show was material from their most recent album 'Dream Days at the Hotel Existence' (only out the week before in the UK) and highlights for me were first single "Lost and Running" and a solo acoustic "Black Tears".

Joined by an additional keyboardist, which led to a slightly corny organ/drum solo, the show was pretty slick. Saving some clear crowd favorites til the end of the set - so the main set finished with a mass sing-along to "My Happiness" and the rockin' "Bless My Soul" (first time played in the UK according to the band).

Encore started with an acoustic "Sunsets" just Bernard, Ian and John on acoustic guitars. Before closing on a high with "On My Mind" which segued into a reading of The Stones "Midnight Rambler".