Mud, a chance of rain and uber cold temperatures didn't hold off the fans of Powderfinger in either town of Ballarat or Bendigo. A big top tent welcomed us into its lair and into the warmer area underneath we flourish, our gumboots displaying the proud moments of sloshing through the mud without falling in it, and as I head to the front I am amazed at the room available to watch the show. Both nights it seems the punters prefer to stay behind the half way mark and drink, this is because the front section is a no drinking zone with a few punters under ten years of age. Suited me as drinking would mean me clambering through the mud to the port-a-loo's in the cold so the drinking thought went out the head quickly and the trying to get a tad closer was looking good.

Once in position, I watched the rock band that is Jet, (I missed Dempsey both nights), and Jet proved they are here to stay with many of us dancing to their music and singing along to the many hits the band have unleashed. Nic's vocal scream almost sends shivers up the spine- how many singers can produce a scream like he does, awesome! Playing all the old and new hits with applause a-plenty and then we all got ready and in position to witness the almighty boys from Powderfinger.

The band materialize and slowly get into " Love Your Way" before the tempo increases and the full sound takes us all from cruisy to utter mayhem. Bernard Fanning showing us why he is the front-man, owning the microphone and getting the punters singing and clapping and fully engaging throughout the show. Darren Middleton and Ian Haug unleash their inner guts putting all the work into the riffs and exploding into stances and even jumping up on the speakers. John Collins produces the back beat bass riffs and together with Jon Coghill who ties the band together on drums.

Screens behind the band display various images as songs are sung, " Burn Your Name", " Sunsets" and " Lost and Running" all have various displays whether it be lanterns, sunsets or the like. Lasers shoot out over the crowd and throughout the show we see lights, lasers and images.

Other songs on the setlist were "Sail the Wildest Stretch", "Thrillology", "Already Gone" and then the boys disappear for about five minutes before positioning themselves onto the smaller stage in the middle of the Big Top and unleash the tunes "L ike A Dog" and " Stumblin", and I almost get the vibe they enjoy playing a small stage again. Bernard can walk around the entire stage and he plays to all of fans on each side, throwing the microphone stand around and strutting his stance. Jon finishes the set with a milking drum solo blended with all guitars then back to the main stage, we look on as Bernard sings "H appiness" until the rest of the band are back.

Songs to complete the night include " Passenger", "Capoicity", "Pick You Up", "On My Mind" and " These Days" . There was a small difference in the setlist with each show, but only minor changes. " My Kind Of Scene" was sung in Bendigo only.

Bernard likes to have his own names for each town, Bendigoingoff and Ballarussian's and his chuckle after first mentioning these names makes me wonder what other names he has given towns along the way.

Unfortunately the night has to end, out into the mud we head, many punters with no shoes and some covered in mud from the nights festivities, girls singing the songs and even plenty of skipping takes place.

It may be ten years before we see this band again, and we can only hope that will happen.