PETER GARRETT AUSTRALIAN MUSIC LEGEND

ANNOUNCED AS SPECIAL GUEST AT
CLEARLY MUSIC, ART & WELLNESS FESTIVAL KIAMA

10 August, 2023

Today, Clearly Music, Art & Wellness Festival announces its much-anticipated special guest performer, Australian music legend and frontman of Midnight Oil, Peter Garrett. Performing songs from his solo discography alongside his band, The Alter Egos, Peter’s addition to the Clearly Festival lineup follows his appointment as keynote speaker at Clearer Workshop on 10 November.

From the compelling music of Midnight Oil to the continued brilliance of his solo work, Peter Garrett’s multifaceted legacy as an artist, former federal minister, and activist has not only imprinted itself on the pages of Australian history but also echoes across global landscapes.

“We are thrilled to welcome the iconic Peter Garrett and The Alter Egos as our special guest for the Clearly Music, Art and Wellness Festival in Kiama”, says Clearly Festival co-founder Dom Furber. “From my early days in Gerringong, I have fond memories of my dad blasting Midnight Oil’s incredible music, and I’m still blasting the incredibly important (not just catchy) records today.”

Dom continues, “Peter’s music and dedication to environmental causes align perfectly with the spirit of Clearly Festival and Clearer Workshop, and we anticipate an unforgettable experience for our attendees on November 10th for his keynote address and performance on November 11th”.

INTRODUCING CLEARLY MUSIC, ARTS & WELLNESS FESTIVAL – KIAMA

As a prelude to his captivating performance, Peter Garrett will ascend the podium at Clearer Workshop on November 10. A lifelong campaigner for environmental sustainability, Garrett’s keynote will address the critical task of tackling the climate crisis. He will discuss how artists, audiences, and society as a whole can embrace a truly sustainable path as we seek to make the critical transition to clean energy and a sustainable future for our people and our planet.

Peter says, “I’m raring to play again; to talk, sing, perform and connect and The Clearly Music Festival is shaping up as the paramount experience where that can happen.”

Peter Garrett is one of our most prominent living Australians. The renowned activist, former politician, and lead singer of Midnight Oil is a long-time campaigner on a range of local and global issues. He served as president of the Australian Conservation Foundation for two terms, which saw significant additions to natural protected areas, and the ACF grow into Australia’s leading national environment organisation.

As Minister for the Environment, he instigated the successful historic International Court of Justice case against Japanese whaling. As Minister for School Education, he was responsible for introducing the national curriculum and for legislating a new needs-based funding system for all Australian schools.

He is the only Australian politician to receive the ‘Leaders for a Living Planet’ award from the World Wildlife Fund and is a member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the music industry and environment.

Following the release of Peter’s 2015 memoir “Big Blue Sky”, he turned to making music with his acclaimed debut solo album, “A Version Of Now”. In 2017 he and Midnight Oil regrouped after a 15-year absence for “The Great Circle” tour, playing 77 shows in 16 countries around the world. The band then recorded two new albums–“The Makarrata Project” (with First Nations Collaborators) and “Resist”– which each reached #1 on the ARIA charts. Across 2022, the Oils performed their final concert tour, calling for social justice and environmental sustainability.

Peter remains a prominent advocate for causes, including ending the climate crisis, opposition to the AUKUS agreement, and the campaign for constitutional recognition and a Voice to parliament for First Nations people. He continues to make new music and will return to live performance this year with a handful of special live appearances.

For more information, head to the Clearly Music, Art & Wellness Festival website.