For most of us, rocking out to our favourite bands means turning up the volume in the car or playing air guitar in the living room. But for Darren Middleton, former guitarist from Powderfinger, it means stepping on stage and bringing those legendary songs to life. He joined Leah and Dan to talk Pink Floyd and Powderfinder.

As part of the Australian Rock Collective (ARC)—alongside members of Jet, Spiderbait, and You Am I—Middleton has been recreating some of the most iconic albums in history. Their latest tour dives deep into the atmospheric and mind-bending world of Pink Floyd. He Middleton joined Leah and Dan for a chat about the challenge of tackling Floyd, the differences between ARC and Powderfinger, and whether there’s any truth to the rumours of a Brisbane Olympics reunion.

From Powderfinger to Pink Floyd

Playing Pink Floyd is an entirely different experience from Middleton’s Powderfinger days. “We were more of a bread-and-butter rock ‘n’ roll band,” he explained. “Straight down the middle.” Floyd, on the other hand, is layered, atmospheric, and deeply intricate.

“They went to town in the studio. There are so many layers—synths, orchestration, sound effects. You’ve got to consider every little detail.” And then there’s the Gilmour factor.

“David Gilmour is one of the greats,” Middleton said. “His playing is so distinctive. It’s a real challenge to do justice to his work.” For Middleton, this tour isn’t just about playing great songs—it’s about pushing himself as a musician.

A Tough Crowd to Impress

Floyd fans are serious. They don’t just like the music—they study it. “The audience knows every note coming through the speakers,” Middleton said. “You can’t just wing it.”

The band makes a point of staying as true to the originals as possible. “We’re not going to give it a jazz interpretation,” he joked. “But at the same time, we’re not going to pretend to be Pink Floyd. No English accents, no costumes—just the music, played with as much passion and authenticity as possible.“

And when it came to choosing which songs to sing, Middleton had one non-negotiable. “I really wanted to have a crack at ‘Comfortably Numb. It was one of the first songs I learned on guitar,” he said. “It means a lot to me.”

Touring in a New Era

Touring with ARC feels completely different from Middleton’s Powderfinger years. “It’s way more relaxed,” he admitted. “Back then, you’re caught up in it—you’re thinking about the next album, the next show. You don’t always appreciate the moment.“

Now? “We just love playing. There’s no ego, no pressure—just pure joy.” It’s also a little more physically demanding. “Yeah, there’s definitely a bit more stretching before a show now,” he joked. “And maybe some ibuprofen!“

Who’s Next?

ARC has already tackled Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and now Pink Floyd. So who’s next? “We might broaden the concept—maybe the songs of David Bowie or Queen,” Middleton said. But for now, the focus is on Floyd. “We haven’t even done this Pink Floyd tour yet, so let’s get through that first!“

Powderfinger at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics?

With Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympics, rumours have been swirling about a possible Powderfinger reunion. After all, Phoenix just performed at the Paris Olympics, so why not Australia’s own iconic band for Brisbane?

Could we see them playing My Happiness or These Days as the athletes march into the stadium Middleton wasn’t giving anything away. “I can’t give you an exclusive on that,” he said. “There are no real plans at this point.” But the way he didn’t say no has us wondering…

Get Ready for the Show!

ARC’s Pink Floyd tour is shaping up to be a must-see event. Expect stunning lights, theatrical elements, and even some special guests—like Melbourne singer Talei Wolfgramm, who will be joining them for Dark Side of the Moon.

Want to experience the magic live? Click here for tour dates and ticket info.

Listen to the full conversation below.