11/10/2026
One of Australia’s most iconic rock bands is reuniting in 2027, and two Brisbane Grammar School Old Boys will be taking centre stage.
John Collins ’87 and Ian Haug ’87, founding members of Powderfinger, will reunite with their bandmates for a series of shows across Australia from September next year, 16 years after the band called it quits.
For John and Ian, the Powderfinger story has its roots at Brisbane Grammar School, where the classmates first developed their musical partnership while John was a boarder.
Together with Steven Bishop, they formed the first iteration of Powderfinger, initially playing covers of pub rock classics, before the band evolved into one of the most successful acts in Australian music history.
With John on bass guitar and Ian on lead guitar, Powderfinger went on to produce a string of chart-topping albums and unforgettable hits, collecting 18 ARIA Awards along the way.
In 2009, the band was recognised as one of Queensland’s Q150 Icons for its contribution to Australian music.
Since Powderfinger’s farewell in 2010, both Old Boys have continued to make their mark on the music industry. John established two of Brisbane’s best-known live music venues, The Triffid and Fortitude Music Hall, while Ian has continued performing and recording, including as a member of Australian rock legends The Church.
From their early musical beginnings at BGS to stages across the country, it’s a remarkable story of two Old Boys who helped shape the soundtrack of a generation.
Congratulations to John and Ian on this exciting announcement. We can’t wait to see Powderfinger back on stage in 2027.
