May 29, 2019
“Lucky Country – my arse!
I spent Reconciliation Day in Canberra, taking my daughter to see Midnight Oil – the greatest rock band this country will ever produce.
Politics has always been at the heart of their work. They give 100% every show, and 40+ years later they are as good, as sharp and – sad to say – as relevant as ever.
From nuclear disarmament to the environment and every facet of indigenous disadvantage, the Oils have been the most prominent social conscience of Australian music.
This gig had reconciliation as its theme, with the Uluru Statement from the Heart writ large on the background screen, and Leah Flanagan as a support act.
The small venue (3,000) at the Royal Theatre meant tickets sold out in minutes, mostly to people of my age – the majority Oils fanatics, with a smattering of kids getting a musical and political education at the same time.
In keeping with the theme, there was a bit less power and a bit more passion compared with the usual Oils gig, where some of their faster early works are always big crowd favourites.
Early in the gig, Garrett told the crowd the night was all about recognising Reconciliation Day.
He then brought up Gooreng Gooreng and Wakka Wakka man Alwyn Doolan – who had walked 8000 kilometres from Queensland to Canberra for the recent federal election – to talk to the crowd. Then the band invited support artist Leah Flanagan up to join in a cover of Yothu Yindi’s “Treaty”.
Truganinni, Luritja, My Country and Jimmy Sharman’s Boxers, were sandwiched around their first Australian performance of the entire 1987 Diesel and Dust album that broke them worldwide.
Some back story: in 1986, Midnight Oil went out on their now-legendary Blackfella/Whitefella Tour, playing in remote Indigenous communities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory, alongside the Warumpi Band. It was a watershed moment that exposed the Oils to the desperate plight of our First Australians, and it was the inspiration for Diesel and Dust.
The Oils have always made great albums, but live is where they really blow you away. And last night was just as intense.
It gives me goose bumps every time I hear them – be it live or in the car or online. The adrenaline kicks in immediately. The first few bass notes of Blue Sky Mining, the drum roll at the start of Back on the Borderline, the crowd singing the “Doo Doo” to herald Dead Heart, the twin guitar assault of Only the Strong.
Rob Hirst is a beast on drums, Jim Moginie the master craftsman on lead guitar, Martin Rotsey the perfect foil on rhythm, Bones Hillman delivers a thundering bass line, and Peter Garrett is the intimidating front man with energy to burn. All over 60 and showing no signs of slowing.
And why should they? The recent federal election was a disaster for those who hope for a better, fairer, cleaner future for their kids and grandkids. And especially for the original inhabitants who have suffered more than anyone.
The show closed with the haunting One Country, a rather sombre but ultimately fitting note.
Lucky Country, my arse.”
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Great article!!!!