Midnight Oil is an Australian rock band that originally formed in Sydney in the 1970s. The band is known for their politically charged lyrics and powerful live performances. Midnight Oil enjoyed international success in the 1980s and 1990s with hit albums like Diesel and Dust, Blue Sky Mining, and Earth and Sun and Moon. They are best known for their singles “Beds Are Burning” and “The Dead Heart”. After lead singer Peter Garrett pursued a political career in the early 2000s, Midnight Oil went on hiatus. However, in 2017 the band announced they would be reuniting for a world tour in 2017 and 2018. Fans wondered where the final concert of this reunion tour would be held.
History of Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil was formed in Sydney in 1976 by Jim Moginie on guitar, Rob Hirst on drums, and Peter Garrett as lead singer. Andrew James and Martin Rotsey later joined on bass guitar and lead guitar respectively. The band was named after a passage in a song by Jim Morrison of The Doors. Midnight Oil built up a strong live reputation in Australia during the late 1970s playing pub rock and surf rock. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1978 on the CBS Records label.
The band’s international breakthrough came with the release of their album 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 in 1982. The album featured their hit “Power and the Passion” which brought them to the attention of audiences around the world. Their next album Red Sails in the Sunset went platinum in Australia. In 1987 they released the hit album Diesel and Dust which included singles like “The Dead Heart” and “Beds Are Burning”. The album peaked at #1 on the Australian charts and #21 on the Billboard 200.
Midnight Oil’s Political Activism
A defining feature of Midnight Oil is their political activism expressed through their music. Their lyrics often tackle issues like indigenous rights, environmentalism, anti-war themes, and critique of capitalism and corporate power. Midnight Oil were vocally critical of US military action against Iraq leading up to the first Gulf War in 1990. During this time they performed the protest concert Midnight Oil: Against the War in Melbourne in 1990 to 10,000 fans.
Lead singer Peter Garrett ran as a candidate for the Nuclear Disarmament Party in 1984 and later served as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation. He would go on to have a successful political career and served as a cabinet minister in various Labor Party governments. However, Midnight Oil never officially disbanded during this time when Garrett was not performing with them.
The Midnight Oil Reunion
After over 15 years out of the spotlight, Midnight Oil announced in 2016 that they would be reuniting for a world tour in 2017 and 2018. The tour was timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of their debut album release. They performed over 30 concerts across several continents during the tour. The tour helped the band reach a new generation of fans who had discovered their music catalog online in the 2000s.
Longtime fans were excited to see Midnight Oil back together and performing protest songs that resonated just as powerfully in the late 2010s. The band played at many of the major rock festivals around the world during their reunion tour. This included shows at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, Rock Werchter in Belgium, and Rock am Ring in Germany.
Setlists on the Reunion Tour
The Midnight Oil reunion tour setlists skillfully blended old and new material. Concerts would often begin with later hits like “Blue Sky Mine” and “Forgotten Years” to quickly energize the crowd. They made sure to include live favorites like “Power and the Passion”, “The Dead Heart”, “Beds Are Burning”, and “Best of Both Worlds”.
Deep album cuts from earlier records also made appearances. The band wasn’t afraid to showcase new material either. Songs from their 2017 comeback album Armistice Day were regularly performed on the tour. These tracks included “Rising Seas”, “Moscow” and the environmental anthem “Say Your Prayers”. Most shows ended with staple closers “Redneck Wonderland” or “Dreamworld”.
The Final Reunion Tour Concert
The final concert of Midnight Oil’s big 2017-2018 reunion tour took place on November 11, 2018. The fitting closing show was held in the domain of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Australia. This outdoor venue that can accommodate around 30,000 spectators is close to where Midnight Oil played some of their earliest gigs back in the 1970s.
The show had originally been scheduled for October 27 but was postponed due to weather concerns. Fortunately the November 11 date provided ideal conditions. Fans flew in from around the world to witness Midnight Oil’s homecoming finale. The band remarked that it was an emotional night closing out the tour in their hometown where their musical journey began.
The Sydney Setlist
Midnight Oil wasted no time pulling out the big guns for their last reunion concert. They launched into hits “Redneck Wonderland”, “Read About It”, and “Scream in Blue” to kick off the night. Other highlights were guttural performances of “Dead Heart” and “Warakurna” driven by Peter Garrett’s snarling vocals.
The anthemic “Power and the Passion” drew one of the biggest responses with its declare-it-loud chorus still feeling vital. Several songs from their recent comeback album also featured. These included the media critique “Rising Seas” along with “Moscow” inspired by Russian politics. Of course the show-closing triplet of “Beds Are Burning”, “Blue Sky Mine” and “Best of Both Worlds” had the massive audience singing along.
Special Guests
Midnight Oil invited some of their classic Australian rock friends to join them at various points during the night. Members of the indigenous band Yothu Yindi made an appearance to perform “Treaty” highlighting the need for reconciliation. New Zealand art-rockers Split Enz also briefly joined Midnight Oil on stage. Additionally, Australian punk pioneers Radio Birdman’s Deniz Tek contributed guitar to the surf instrumental “Wedding Cake Island”. These special guests fit with Midnight Oil’s celebratory mood and Australia/New Zealand musical connections.
Significance of the Final Reunion Show
Midnight Oil’s final concert of their 2017-2018 reunion tour held great significance for several reasons. Most importantly, it marked the end of a historic comeback for the legendary Australian rock band. The tour saw them reconnect with dedicated fans worldwide who had waited over 15 years to see Midnight Oil back together.
The Sydney show also reminded the world of the band’s power and influence. Their mix of hooky rock anthems and fearless political commentary remained powerful as ever. Midnight Oil had officially passed the torch to a new generation discovering their music.
Finally, the location and timing of the concert were poignant. By ending back home in Australia where their musical journey started, Midnight Oil came full circle. The date falling on Remembrance Day also felt fitting. Midnight Oil has never shied away from advocating for social causes, which continued to define their identity right through to the end.
The Band’s Future
Midnight Oil’s final concert in Sydney left fans wondering if this was truly the end for the band. Members have said the reunion tour represented a fitting cap to that chapter of their career. However, most have hinted they may record new music and sporadically perform again when the time is right. Midnight Oil maintains that they never officially broke up in the 2000s and 2010s even without touring.
It appears likely that Peter Garrett will continue his environmental activism while the rest of the band works on musical projects. Founding guitarist Jim Moginie released his solo album Alas Folkloric in 2016. Midnight Oil’s legacy is firmly cemented in both Australian music and activism. Whether or not they release new material or reunite again, their cultural impact is undeniable. For now, Midnight Oil’s inspirational final reunion show in Sydney provided a satisfying end note.
Conclusion
Midnight Oil’s comeback world tour gave long-time fans the chance to see the band back in action. The finale concert in Sydney on November 11, 2018 provided a fitting celebratory end. The outdoor venue and date coinciding with Remembrance Day felt significant. Special guest appearances helped capture the history and relationships at the heart of Midnight Oil. The band proudly showcased the potency their protest anthems still hold today. While the future is unclear, this final reunion show honored their legacy powerfully. Midnight Oil retains influence through their classic albums and live performances fighting for social justice.