Powderfinger @ The SydneyOpera House Forecourt(31/10/07)

Tue 6th Nov, 2007 in Gig Reviews

The Sydney Opera House saturated in a radiant pink light was the spectacular setting for The Concert for the Cure. The brainchild of twenty year-old Nick Vindin and his mates who secured Powderfinger for a very special gig to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. Also supported and recorded by The Max Sessions the evening was hosted by V.J. Yumi Stynes.

Unlike most general admission gigs the crowd were very mellow and there was little to no jostling for a prime position. The invite only audience consisted primarily of breast cancer suffers, survivors and carers. A small contingent of fans who won invitations to the gig were clearly identifiable in the front row with their banners of adoration proudly hung on the crash bar. A sectioned off area to the right of stage was a virtual who’s who of Australian celebrities who earlier in the evening walked the pink carpet and posed for invited media.

After much waiting, as Stynes taped her sound bites and interviewed Powderfinger on the steps of the Opera House away from the inquisitive audience, the band finally took to the stage. There was no surge forward from the crowd merely an eruption of thunderous applause for the Brissie band who has won Australia’s heart.

Kicking off the set with their first single Lost and Running from their recent release Dream Days at the Hotel Existence. It was immediately obvious the band was coming off a lengthy tour as the music was tight and Bernard Fanning had found his comfort level with the lower pitched vocals of Lost and Running.

Fanning in his typical relaxed manner welcomed the crowd and exclaimed, “A pretty above average setting we have here…just give us a second, we want to look at the view as well”. Then in his best camp voice added, “doesn’t the Opera House look fabulous?” to which he was met with cheers and laughter.

The band then powered on with their set which included the rockin’ Bless my Soul, Love your Way, My Happiness and I Don’t Remember complete with little fingers pumping out from the crowd. It was when Fanning took to the keyboard for Nobody Sees that a hush fell over the audience who seemed to be especially moved by the pertinent lyrics. Who Really Cares was another highlight of the evening with honorary Powderfinger member Lachlan Doley rockin’ out on keys with such with such ferocity that he could give Paul Mac a run for his money.

The crowd was treated to special guest performances throughout the evening the first of which was from Queensland legend Kev Carmody. He joined Fanning for the emotionally charged Black Tears with Fanning saying, “Let’s see if we can get them to hear this at Kirribilli”. Though Carmody seemed a little ill prepared for the performance, playing sticks and singing a few verses, he made the song his own and totally captivated the crowd. When Fanning announced the next special guest was Missy Higgins the crowd erupted in a volcano of applause. Joining the boys for the acoustic Sunsets, Higgins was charming with her distinctive vocals and boppy dance style. She melded well with the band which gave the impression that they had played together many times before. The next special guest was Jet’s Nic Cester who Fanning described as a “once in a generation singer” which was aptly demonstrated when he and the band launched into On My Mind. Cester’s raw and rough vocals were perfect for the song and it has to be said that vocally, he left Fanning in the dust.

After the band had left the stage host Stynes remerged once more to instruct the crowd to get out their pink glow sticks and urge the band for an encore. It was a stunning scene as a sea of pink flowed with crowed in front of the pink tinged Opera House. Powderfinger took to the stage once again with all special guests in tow. They jumped straight into These Days with Higgins and Cester singing a verse each and Carmody burning it up on the harmonica. It was a truly spectacular event and one that will live on in the minds of all of those who attended for many years to come.