Powderfinger, Silverchair,Expatriate @ AdelaideEntertainment Centre(26/09/07)

Mon 1st Oct, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Across The Great Divide is a massive production seeing two of Australia’s most successful bands Powderfinger and Silverchair join forces to co-headline a music extravaganza taking in all major cities and regional centres around Australia to some 200,000 punters. All I can say is that is a shit load of cash…

Adelaide really turned it on by packing out the Entertainment Centre to the rafters and the atmosphere was something to behold. It was difficult to work out if Powderfinger fans outnumbered Silverchair fans but nevertheless I don’t think to many walked away disappointed with the event that took place.

Sydney outfit Expatriate were given the opportunity to win audiences over with a very short set featuring material from their fairly recent release In The Midst Of This. If they hadn’t mentioned the fact that they drove two days in the van from Perth to get to Adelaide you would have hardly known – I reckon that sort of dedication is worth extra points. It was good to hear Get Out Give In, Crazy, The Spaces Between and Play A Part. I’d be surprised if there isn’t a spike in sales for Expatriate as they definitely won over a few new fans in the process.

Within minutes of Silverchair coming out fans came from everywhere after boozing on at the bars to find the best vantage point even if it meant barging their way down the front (I guess you can’t take the Smithfield out of some people). The lights dimmed, lights starting flashing, a thumping beat was building in intensity before sirens sounding creating a scene of chaos and mayhem.

Daniel, Ben and Chris walked on stage and the punters went crazy before ripping in to Young Modern Station. Occasionally they delve in to the back catalogue and Israel’s Son got an airing. Insomnia was a true highlight and one of many opportunities where Daniel demanded the crowd’s involvement. There was also a chance for a sing-a-long with crowd favourite Straight Lines. Punters were in fine voice and so much so that Daniel said, “Wow that was great! Certainly a lot better than some places. I won’t mention them – this could end up on YouTube, I could get into a lot of trouble!”

The only let down was Daniel’s attempt at comedy with the joke about the koala smoking big boys up in a tree. That gag was done last time at Thebarton Theatre and perhaps he should have made a note about what was said at that gig. The closer was amazing finishing with Freak even stopping half way through encouraging the crowd to shout “BODY AND SOUL! I’M A FREAK! I’M A FREAK!” prompting Daniel to say, “I promised my mother I wouldn’t cry… but that was amazing.” There was no doubt that Powderfinger would have to be on their game to top this.

Powderfinger went all out with lighting and staging even having a countdown similar to Coldplay. Punters counted it down from 10 to zero before the Powdfinger collective came out on stage. I thought the visual projections really complemented their set list creating a great atmosphere and mood. It was interesting that the venue emptied out slightly after Silverchair but I guess it isn’t worth missing the last train to Smithfield.

Bernard Fanning looked a million bucks and so to did the rest of the band. Having one the highest ever selling Australian albums of all time makes it easier to be able to afford the expensive hair products and other metro-sexual products required to look so good.

Powderfinger are a class act and were serving of the headline spot. A lot of people were bitching about the set list and the lack of hits and memories but tonight was all about Dream Days From The Hotel Existence. From my perspective it was a real treat to hear the majority of the album played live opening with Head Up In The Clouds and featuring Lost+Running, I Don’t Remember, Who Really Cares?, and Black Tears early in the set.

There wasn’t a lot of Bernard’s trademark arrogance and banter opting to let the music do all the talking. Some of the oldies that made it include Waiting For Sun, Thrilliology, Already Gone, These Days and My Happiness. The encore was outstanding with an acoustic version of Sunsets, which was truly memorable before moving in to a segway featuring the Midnight Rambler. On My Mind closed what was a pretty amazing night. It would have been even better if both bands returned for the joint encore that was done everywhere else on the tour, but I guess you can’t have everything unless you were one of the lucky ones (like me!) who witnessed an impromptu performance in the lounge bar at the Hilton (but that’s another story).

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