It’s is only a couple of weeks before the one show that I have been looking forward to most this summer. The Midnight Oil Great Circle Tour coming to First Avenue on 8/29. A few tickets are still available HERE
I only had one chance to see them live at the Basilica Block Party in the early 2000’s and well over a thousand bands later, that show is still one of my favorites. So needless to say, their reunion, the tour and the fact that are ending the North American leg of their tour in Minneapolis has me more than a bit excited 🙂
Midnight Oil is more than just a rock ‘n’ roll band. From the northern beaches of Sydney to the streets of Manhattan, they have stopped traffic, inflamed passions, inspired fans, and broken new ground. Seeing Midnight Oil in full flight is to experience the transcendent, kinetic power of live rock ‘n’ roll. They leave you inspired to live life more passionately and to Get Involved.
Rob Hirst (drums, vocals) and Jim Moginie (guitars, keys & vocals) started making music together at school in 1972. They gradually evolved into Midnight Oil, with singer Peter Garrett joining in 1975 and Martin Rotsey (guitar), coming on board in the following year. Founding bass player, Andrew “Bear” James, was replaced by Peter “Giffo” Gifford from 1979 until 1987 when Bones Hillman joined the band.
Before they took it global, Midnight Oil’s early spiritual home was the Royal Antler Hotel, Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches. It was there that ‘the Oils’ fan base swelled from a handful to a thousand – in a space intended for half that number. Between 1976 and the very early 80’s, these five young men played out this blistering ritual almost 1000 times. At all of these shows the distance and the difference between audience and band was indistinguishable. From their earliest days, Midnight Oil was writing songs about who and what they saw around them.
Tour Dates:
Aug 19 Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA
Aug 21 Terminal 5 New York, NY
Aug 23 Salle Wilfrid Montreal, Canada
Aug 25 Budweiser Stage Toronto, Canada
Aug 27 House of Blues Cleveland Cleveland, OH
Aug 29 First Avenue Minneapolis, MN
