Powderfinger

Overview

If you were born before 1990, a well-spun "the first time I saw Powderfinger" story holds nearly the same cachet as a "the first time I did it" story. In the 20 years since their beginnings as a university band in Brisbane, the 'finger has, ahem, touched most of us in some way, shape or form. This uncanny ability to induce nostalgia was magnified thousandfold when, earlier this month, the band announced Golden Rule would be their last studio album, and, likewise, the upcoming Sunsets tour the final Powderfinger tour ever.

The numbers have been written up countless times since the tour announcement, so it feels stale to print them again; suffice to say, Powderfinger are one of the biggest rock bands this country has ever seen. They've sold oodles of records, and performed in front of many more people than that. They've been adored, at some point or another, by everyone from bespectacled kids wearing cons (circa 1995) to ute-toting dads. They are, like or lump, an institution, and because of this Sunsets will be more than just a one final hurrah; it will be the rock tour equivalent of hanging around 'til last drinks with your very best mates from high school and staying up to watch the sun rise.

The Sunsets tour will take in at least 21 capital and regional cities. To help celebrate, Jet and the Vines have been invited on the road as supports. After selling out two Sydney shows, a third has been added at Acer Arena. Tickets go on sale Monday, May 17, at 9am.