Powderfinger - Brixton Academy, London

After a month delay amid volcanic ash flying confusion, we finally got to see Powderfinger for their final show in London. Back when we booked these shows it was part of the ‘Golden Rule’ tour, but once the band announced they will cease touring at the end of this year, the whole European tour became the first-leg of their ‘Sunsets’ final tour.

Considering this would be the last time the band would play in London – it was a little sad to see the balcony section we had tickets for less than half full. Still what the crowd lacked in numbers they made up for in volume – as Bernard Fanning commented a few times during the show – at one point calling it the best audience they had ever had in London.

Among the four of us attending the show tonight: Kim, plus our friends Nick & Rach – there seemed to be a general consensus of mixed feelings. Obviously everyone was disappointed that a great band was calling it a day. However it did mean the show tonight featured many of Powderfingers finest songs – and only 2 from the new album the opening “Burn Your Name” and “A Fight About Money” early in the set. I imagine if the show had remained part of the album tour as originally intended the material performed would have differed dramatically.

Still – it was the last show in London so the band pulled out a lot of their back catalogue – dipping back into ‘Internationalist’ for “Don’t Want to Be Left Out”, “Passenger” and a fantastic version of “Already Gone” with an extended bluesy harmonica intro.

I also really enjoyed the first encore which saw “On My Mind” merged into a cover of The Rolling Stones “Paint It Black”. Before returning for a second and final encore of “These Days”.

Full setlist:

1. Burn your name
2. Lost & running
3. Waiting for the sun
4. Don't wanna be left out
5. A fight about money
6. My kind of scene
7. Love your way
8. Thrilloilogy
9. Already gone
10. Sunsets
11. Passenger
12. Pick you up
13. Bless my soul
14. Nobody sees
Encore
15. Baby I've got you on my mind / Paint it black
16. My happiness
Encore 2
17. These days