OILS announce Reef benefit show
as GREAT CIRCLE TOUR kicks off
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Left to Right: Rotsey, Hillman, Garrett, Moginie, Hirst (PHOTO CREDIT: Oliver Eclipse)
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It’s exactly one week until Midnight Oil finally launch the homecoming leg of their “Great Circle 2017” World Tour in Alice Springs. The iconic rock group has spent the last six months playing more than 50 gigs in 16 countries across six continents. They have played nearly 100 different songs including at least half a dozen that they have never performed onstage before. However the band has clearly still got more surprises up their sleeves.
Today Midnight Oil announced an intimate benefit gig to help protect The Great Barrier Reef and to support reef activism and research. It will happen in Cairns on Friday October 6. Appropriately enough for a group who recently released two collectors box sets housed in recycled steel tanks, this benefit show – dubbed “Oils At The Reef” – will be staged at The Tanks Art Centre.
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A very limited number of tickets will go on sale via http://frntr.co/MidnightOilREEF at 10:00am this Wednesday September 27 and are limited to strictly two per buyer.
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The show will be recorded and filmed for later broadcast by tour partners Triple M and Foxtel’s MAX as part of radio and TV specials that will draw focus to the plight of the greatest natural wonder on this planet – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. All proceeds from the show will go to a non-partisan scientific research organisation called Great Barrier Reef Legacy. People can find out more about their work at https://www.
“The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most beautiful and intricate ecosystems”, said Oils drummer Rob Hirst. “It’s also a magnet for tourists, and a major contributor to the local economy so the fact that it’s under threat from climate change and unsustainable development should concern all Australians. We believe we should support the work of scientists and listen to them when it comes to what we should do to protect this precious environment.”
The nearly 3000 reefs which make up this amazing organism were declared a Marine Park in 1975 and listed as a World Heritage Site in 1981. Since then State and Federal Governments of all political persuasions have gradually expanded protection culminating in 2012 federal legislation which received bipartisan support to expand the Marine Park system and increase environmental safeguards within it. However those gains have recently been under threat from federal government moves to allow trawling, mining and pipelines in some previously protected areas. Adani’s massive proposed Carmichael coal mine would also place the reef under threat if it was allowed to go ahead both in terms of its huge carbon impact and potential damage from increased shipping traffic. Current land use practices and expansion of industry around the reef also pose unacceptable threats to its health at a time when parts of it are already struggling.
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“Midnight Oil have always used our music to talk about things we believe are important”, says band frontman Peter Garrett. “We believe the future of the Great Barrier Reef is clearly on the line. We’re at the eleventh hour for our most important natural asset. As the largest living organism in our world the reef is a treasure of extraordinary beauty itself but it’s also a symbol of greater questions we all have to answer. Some parts of the Reef are already being killed off by catastrophic climate change and other parts would be damaged by bad federal government policy that prioritises short term corporate profit above all else. So we’re looking forward to getting together with our friends in Cairns and all doing our bit to share some information, provoke more conversation and make change while there’s still time.”
Australian fans will get 22 other chances to see the Oils live at last as The Great Circle 2017 Tour winds its way around the country from next Monday through until November 17 when the circle comes to a close back at the Domain in Sydney. While most dates have sold out limited tickets remain for some shows. See http://www.midnightoil.
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To avoid being ripped off by online scalpers, PLEASE only buy tickets from the authorised sellers listed on the band’s website. The only authorised re-sale platform for this tour is TWICKETS where fans can buy and sell ‘extra’ tickets at face value. Please click here to access the Twickets Midnight Oil page.
“Oils At The Reef” will not be the first time this year that Midnight Oil has fused live music with causes that matter to them. During the Brazilian leg of their tour they did a guerrilla set aboard the famous Rainbow Warrior to draw focus to the issue of mining on reefs at the mouth of the Amazon River. They also played environmentally oriented events like Switzerland’s Paleo Festival and the Ostrava Festival in the Czech Republic http://www.youtube.
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However, most of 2017 has been spent playing incendiary rock shows which have turned back time for fans across the globe. Here’s just a small taste of what the critics have said:
“Collectively, the Oils proved more than ready to take on all comers for the title of the world’s most exhilarating live rock band.”
– Jeff Elbe, Illinois Entertainer, USA
Review HERE
“One of the best shows in the life of anyone who was there. Power and relevance, at that point, it scared and exalted at the same time.”
– Sylvain Cormier, Le Devoir Montreal, Canada
Review HERE
“Garrett and the Oils approached every single song with so much passion that there was no doubt that what the audience witnessed was the stuff of legends, and sadly when it comes to music, there are not many of this calibre left”
– Shayne Robinson, City Buzz, South Africa
Review HERE
“The band’s innate belief in the power of connection, and music as a unifying force, triumphs over any despair. That’s the overarching message Midnight Oil conveyed in Cleveland, and perhaps the dominant reason why the band’s comeback has been so important — and so desperately needed.”
– Annie Zaleski, Salon.com, USA
Review HERE
“Midnight Oil was there for real. It was not a forced move, passion was present in every sound, Aussie rock can be proud to have this super band… everyone needs a band like this.”
– Luis Otavio Carvalho Lopes, Vi Show Brazil
Review HERE
“The full-throttle driving guitar rock, passionate lyrics and musical brilliance never faltered.”
– Cate Broughton, Fairfax New Zealand
Review HERE
“As much as the actuality of their texts on the dangers of nuclear power, protection of the planet, American anti-imperialism or the defence of Aborigines, it is the musical quality of their repertoire that impresses.”
– Stéphane Davet, Le Monde Paris, France
Review HERE
“Proselytizers place the Australian band in the pantheon of great live acts, and justifiably so.”
– Josh Klein, Chicago Tribune, USA
Review HERE
“The Verdict? Something special just happened…That was some return.”
– Bernard Zuel, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Review HERE
“There’s a passion almost unseen these days and at the heart of it all lies a vast collection of simply exquisite songs.”
– Marco Gandolfi, Music News UK
Review HERE
“The task of transforming into words the completeness of the Midnight Oil show on Saturdaynight at the Espaço das Américas in São Paulo is both pleasurable and arduous, such a diversity of sensations that the show provided the fans.”
– Universo do Rock, Brazil
Review HERE
“Midnight Oil brought the power and the passion, full force, as if they hadn’t been gone for the last 15 years. A fantastic show.”
– Brooklyn Vegan, New York, USA
Review HERE
“While political issues have always been discussed between songs, tonight was different. Their anger made their songs feel so much more powerful and passionate, and turned their usually strong showmanship into an aggressive set that made us listen to the truth from start to finish.”
– Justine McNamara, the AU Review, New York, USA
Review HERE
“Expect all the pounding, sing-along hits, a bit of Trump-bashing and a sideshow by Rob Hirst, one of the all-time greatest drummers on the planet.”
– Libby Molyneaux, LA Weekly, USA
Review HERE
“To say that the return of Midnight Oil was triumphant is obvious. Great songs, exemplary form, social conscience, environmental and political commitment intact: this group of songs from the 1980’s and 1990’s were prophetic and did not take a wrinkle.”
– Philippe Rezzonico, Radio Canada
Review HERE
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AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2017
Presented by Frontier Touring, Triple M and MAX
In Association With Sony Music Entertainment
Mon 2 Oct | ANZAC Oval, Alice Springs, NT (18+*)
Limited tickets available
With Dan Sultan & Apakatjah
http://frntr.co/MidnightOilAS | Ph: 132 849 or (08) 8980 3333
Wed 4 Oct | Darwin Amphitheatre, Darwin, NT (18+*)
Limited tickets available
With Dan Sultan & Irrunytju Band
http://frntr.co/MidnightOilDar | Ph: 132 849 or (08) 8980 3333
Presented locally by Mix 104.9
Fri 6 Oct | Tank Arts Centre, Cairns, QLD (over 18’s only) – OILS AT THE REEF
JUST ANNOUNCED – On sale Wednesday September 27 – 10:00am AEST
LIMITED TICKETS FOR SALE
http://frntr.co/
Sat 7 Oct | Kuranda Amphitheatre, Cairns, QLD (18+*) – SOLD OUT
With Urthboy
Tue 10 Oct | Townsville Entertainment Centre, Townsville, QLD (All Ages)
Limited tickets available
With Urthboy
http://frntr.co/
Presented locally by 4TO
Thu 12 Oct | Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton, QLD (18+*) – SOLD OUT
With Urthboy
Presented locally by Triple M
Sat 14 Oct | Big Pineapple Fields, Sunshine Coast, QLD (18+*) – SOLD OUT
With The Living End & Jebediah
Presented locally by 92.7 Mix FM
Sun 15 Oct | Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD (All Ages) – SOLD OUT
With The Jezabels
Presented locally by Triple M
Tue 17 Oct | Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD (All Ages) – SOLD OUT
With George Telek & David Bridie
Presented locally by Triple M
Thu 19 Oct | Hockey Fields, Coffs Harbour (18+*)
Limited tickets available
With Jebediah & Jack River
http://frntr.co/
Presented locally by Triple M
Sat 21 Oct | Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW (18+*) – SOLD OUT
With Birds of Tokyo & Ash Grunwald
Presented locally by KOFM
Tue 24 Oct | AIS Arena, Canberra, ACT (All Ages)
Limited tickets available
With Something For Kate
http://frntr.co/
Presented locally by MIX 106.3
Thu 26 Oct | The Village Green Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, SA (All Ages) – SOLD OUT
With Spiderbait & Bad//Dreems
Presented locally by Triple M
Sat 28 Oct | Perth Arena, Perth, WA (All Ages)
Limited tickets available
With Spiderbait
http://frntr.co/
Presented locally by Mix 94.5
Wed 1 Nov | Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart, TAS (All Ages)
Limited tickets available
With The Jezabels
http://frntr.co/MidnightOilHob
Presented locally by Triple M
Fri 3 Nov | Gateway Lakes, Wodonga, VIC (18+*)
Limited tickets available
With The Living End & Even
http://frntr.co/MidnightOilWod | Ph: 136 100
Presented locally by Triple M
Sat 4 Nov | Hanging Rock, Macedon Ranges, VIC (18+*) – SOLD OUT
With John Butler Trio, Something for Kate, Frank Yamma & David Bridie
Presented locally by Triple M
Mon 6 Nov | Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, VIC (All Ages) – SOLD OUT
With The Jezabels & Adalita
Presented locally by Triple M
Wed 8 Nov | Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, VIC (All Ages) – SOLD OUT
With The Jezabels & Adalita
Presented locally by Triple M
Sat 11 Nov | The Domain, Sydney, NSW (18+*) – SOLD OUT
With John Butler Trio & A.B.Original
Presented locally by Triple M
Mon 13 Nov | Win Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW (All Ages)
Limited tickets available
Previously Wed 8 Nov – CHANGE OF DATE – Tickets for original date valid for new date
With Abbe May
http://frntr.co/
Presented locally by WAVE FM
Wed 15 Nov | Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, VIC (All Ages) +*)
Limited tickets available
With The Smith Street Band & The Teskey Brothers
http://frntr.co/
Presented locally by Triple M
Fri 17 Nov | The Domain, Sydney, NSW (18+*)
Limited tickets available
With John Butler Trio & A.B.Original
http://frntr.co/MidnightOilSyd | Ph: 132 849
Presented locally by Triple M
* U18s must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian
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MIDNIGHT OIL
Peter Garrett – Lead Vocals
Rob Hirst – Drums + Vocals
Martin Rotsey – Guitar
Jim Moginie – Guitar, Keyboards + Vocals
Bones Hillman – Bass + Vocals
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AMNPLIFY – DB
My nickname is “The Amnplifier”. Why? Because around here my focus is on being a conduit for providing greater outcomes that people come here for. My day to day “work” is living in the moment, and I love helping others concentrate on finding their connection to themselves through their experiences.
Why start a music environment? The truth is I love music, I love writing, and I love life. I work with musicians every day, and I feel certain that I will be until they put me in the ground. I have been managing people in businesses of some sort for over thirty five years so along the way I have developed some “wisdom” from my regular and constant “observations”.
Amnplify your experience. That is what we want you to do here, and if you want to let me know why you do, or don’t, shoot me a message on Facebook.
Hope you enjoy yourself here and find something that hits you somewhere.
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