Powderfinger ProfileThey’re one of Australia’s most loved bands, and for a long time, we thought Powderfinger would never reunite.
Now, speculation has grown after a mysterious teaser campaign involving billboards in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, and an Instagram account, launched this week.
On Tuesday (6 October), reunion rumours began circling after billboard displays started being spotted along the East Coast. 7 News notes that they feature a cryptic cipher, which includes numbers and letters that appear to point to Powderfinger: “ALBUMS: 7, FLIGHTS: 33, CREW: 235, MEMBERS: 5.”
The Courier Mail reports that other teasers have been spotted within the displays. A billboard above White Fox in Brisbane contains the figures 13.11.2010 in its wall of cryptic numbers – 13 November 2010 marked the last time Powderfinger performed together, taking over Brisbane’s Riverstage before their disbandment.
Other clues include references to their 18 ARIA Award wins and entries on the triple j Hottest 100. At Melbourne Central Station and Shopping Centre, “TOP: 06” is scrawled in red. The band’s song, Pick You Up, peaked at #6 on the triple j Hottest 100 of 1996.
Meanwhile, at Flinders Street Station, “TOP: 08” has been spotted. Powderfinger’s song, The Day You Come, landed at #8 on the 1998 Hottest 100.
Then there’s the Instagram account @thereturnoftheelectrichorsemen, which fans believe references the song (The Return of) The Electric Horseman, the last track on Powderfinger’s 1996 album Double Allergic.
The account has five horse emojis in its bio, potentially referencing the band’s five members: vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill.
Powderfinger’s official Instagram account also follows the mysterious new account, which has been sharing photos and videos of the teasers. Their official Facebook has also reportedly interacted with posts posted by @thereturnoftheelectrichorsemen.
Signs could be pointing to a reunion tour or special 30th anniversary edition of Double Allergic – right now, it seems everything is up in the air.
At the time of publication, members of Powderfinger haven’t made an official statement about the teasers or their potential involvement. They haven’t responded to media requests for comment, including from The Music.
The renowned Aussie rockers said farewell to fans with their final Sunsets tour in 2010, culminating in an epic hometown sendoff at Brisbane’s Riverstage. All five members of the band joined forces remotely nearly ten years later – in May 2020 – for the One Night Lonely livestream.
The livestream raised more than $500,000 for Support Act and Beyond Blue. At the time, Powderfinger stressed that it was a one-off performance.
