Powderfinger Reunion Clues: Mystery Billboards Appear in Brisbane
A cryptic billboard on Brisbane's James Street has fans asking the question they have been asking since the band went quiet: is Powderfinger about to get back together?
Similar billboards have turned up in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Several details link them to the Brisbane rock band, though nobody has yet explained what the campaign is for.
The clues so far
The most obvious is a date: 13 November 2010. That was the night Powderfinger played the final public show of their Sunsets Farewell Tour at Brisbane's River Stage. For anyone who assumed they had missed their last chance to see the band live, the reference is hard to ignore.
There is also an Instagram account called the Return of the Electric Horsemen. The name sits very close to "Return of the Electric Horseman", the closing track on the band's album Double Allergic. The account features an animated display with plenty of detail to pick over, but whoever runs it has so far offered no explanation.
What has been reported
The Courier Mail has reported that the campaign is linked to plans for a reunion. However, the paper also notes that neither the band nor promoter Live Nation has officially confirmed anything. Until one of them does, the connection remains unverified.
What founding member John Collins said
Earlier this year, The Brisbane Channel interviewed founding member John "JC" Collins at The Triffid, in a conversation about the city's nightlife. Asked whether a reunion was ever a possibility, Collins was firm. He said the members were comfortable with their own lives, remained good mates who still talk, and that he had a job to do for the moment.
The phrase "at the moment" is worth keeping in mind. His answer was given before these billboards appeared, and it did not rule out a change of plans down the track.
Still waiting for confirmation
The Brisbane Channel has contacted Powderfinger's management and asked The Triffid to pass an enquiry on to Collins, to see whether he can offer an update. At the time of publishing, no reply had been received to either.
For now, the clues point strongly toward Powderfinger, but there is no official announcement spelling out what the billboards mean. Fans are encouraged to watch the Instagram account and the band's official channels for any news.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Courier Mail has reported that the billboard campaign is connected to reunion plans, but neither the band nor Live Nation has officially confirmed anything.
It is the date of Powderfinger's final public show on their Sunsets Farewell Tour, played at Brisbane's River Stage.
Earlier this year, the founding member said the band members were comfortable with their own lives and were still good mates, and that he had a job to do for the moment. He did not rule out a future change.