Midnight Oil in Leipzig, Germany, on the European leg of their ‘RESIST World Tour’. Photo: Christabel Blackman, Midnight Oil Facebook.
Lightning may have cancelled their last gig in the Territory but Midnight Oil have announced they’re bringing their power and passion back to the Capital.
Concerts have been rescheduled in Darwin, Cairns and Canberra, where the band’s shows were called off at short notice.
“We were very frustrated that COVID cost us two gigs up north, and that Canberra safety officials then pulled the plug on that show to due lightning,” Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett said.
“We said at the time that we would do everything possible to make it up to everyone in those places who missed out, so now we’re making good on that promise.”
Their 1 October show in Canberra will be held at the ANU and will mark the band’s final concert as part of their ‘Resist: The Final’ series.
Joining them on stage will be King Stingray, Emily Wurramurra and Moaning Lisa.
ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said the entire campus was excited about the upcoming gig.
“Midnight Oil hold a special place in Australian music and popular culture,” he said.
“For decades their catchy tunes and socially conscious lyrics have captured the imagination of generations of listeners on vital issues like the environment and reconciliation with Indigenous Australians.”
He also noted the band’s long history with ANU, as Peter Garrett graduated from the university with a degree in arts and politics in 1976, and received an honorary doctorate in laws in 2019.
“In fact, Peter joined the band when they were known as The Farm while he was studying at ANU. They also played an unforgettable gig here in 1979,” Prof Schmidt said.
“It is amazing to see the band’s journey come full circle with a final farewell on Fellows Oval.
“This should be one of the best gigs ANU and Canberra will experience in years. We are honoured to host it and can’t wait.”
The band’s ‘RESIST’ tour has been interrupted throughout its run, but extra shows have been added to make up for lost time. The closing leg of the tour will now also include two special festival appearances in remote and regional Australia – the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill and a reprise of Stompem Ground in Broome.
Plans are in the works to make up for the Melbourne show which was cancelled in March when drummer Rob Hirst contracted COVID. Sydney will also see the band perform one last time to wrap up their final tour. An announcement will be made in August regarding dates and venues for these performances, which have been described as “more intimate closing plays”.
The band are currently playing the tour’s European leg, which includes London’s Roundhouse and an already sold-out performance at the Olympia in Paris.
The show celebrates the release of their latest album ‘Resist’ which reached number one on the ARIA charts earlier this year.
Their Canberra performance will be held at the Fellows Oval ANU Campus on Saturday, 1 October. The show is for those aged 18 and older, and tickets go on sale at 12 pm on Monday, 18 July.
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