With just a matter of weeks to go until they kick off their ‘Makarrata Live’ tour, Midnight Oil have now announced the First Nations collaborators who will be joining them on the road.
Revealing a run of tour dates in support of The Makarrata Project – their first collection of new material in 18 years – back in December, the group revealed that they would be joined on the live stage by an array of First Nations artists. Now, Midnight Oil have announced they’ll be joined by the likes of Dan Sultan, Alice Skye, Troy Cassar-Daley, Tasman Keith, Leah Flanagan, and Bunna Lawrie on their tour.
Kicking off their upcoming run of tour dates with a preview performance of the ‘Makarrata Live’ experience at Queensland’s Sirromet Wines, the group will share the world premiere of the live show at a special closing-night event at WOMADelaide on March 8th.
While Bunna Lawrie will only appear at the South Australian show, all other artists will appear at all of the shows on the tour, including the performances at Hunter Valley, Canberra, and Geelong. Meanwhile, each show will feature special opening sets from certain collaborators each night.
“We’re fortunate that so many of the collaborators on our mini-album can join us onstage for these shows and we remain hopeful that one or two more of our friends might be able to jump up with us here and there as well,” explains drummer Rob Hirst.
“The message of these songs feel increasingly relevant as public awareness of The Uluru Statement continues to grow. It’s time for Australia to stop dragging the chain on this issue and we call upon the government to begin the process of constitutional recognition for First Australians and to also heed their call for a Voice to the federal parliament.”
The performances will also be a bittersweet experience for Midnight Oil, with these shows serving as the first from the band since the passing of long-time bass player, Bones Hillman.
Though impossible to replace, Sydney bassist Adam Ventoura will step into Bones’ role, having caught the group’s attention following a guest appearance on a recording session at Jim Moginie’s studio involving Diesel n’Dub creator Declan Kelly. Ventoura will appear at all shows on the tour, including the band’s one-off headline show at WOMADelaide on March 6th, which does not feature the guests from the ‘Makarrata Live’ experience.
“It will be a moment heavy with emotion to go onstage without our long time brother in music, but Bonesy always made it clear he wanted these gigs to go ahead without him so we know he will be with us in spirit,” explained frontman Peter Garrett.
“We’ve just started rehearsing with Adam, who, amazingly, has been living under our noses in Sydney. There’s something primal about his playing that caught our ears that makes the band sound great.”‘
Midnight Oil & First Nations Collaborators Present ‘Makarrata Live’
Plus First Nations collaborators Dan Sultan, Alice Skye, Troy Cassar-Daley, Tasman Keith & Leah Flanagan With Bunna Lawrie also joining Midnight Oil for March 8th WOMADelaide show
Sunday, February 28th, 2021
(Plus special supporting sets from Troy Cassar-Daley & Leah Flanagan)
Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
Saturday, March 13th, 2021
(Plus special supporting sets from Troy Cassar-Daley & Alice Skye)
Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW
Wednesday, March 17th, 2021
(Plus special supporting sets from Dan Sultan & Leah Flanagan)
Stage 88, Canberra, ACT
Saturday, March 20th, 2021
(Plus special supporting sets from Dan Sultan & Alice Skye)
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC
Tickets on sale now via Frontier Touring
Also appearing at:
Saturday, March 6th 2021
(Midnight Oil headline performance)
WOMADelaide, Adelaide, SA
Monday, March 8th, 2021
(Makarrata Live performance)
(Plus a special supporting set from The Teskey Brothers)
WOMADelaide, Adelaide, SA
Tickets on sale now via WOMADelaide
