Midnight Oil have been forced to postpone two of their upcoming Victorian tour dates following news that drummer Rob Hirst has been diagnoses with COVID.
The news was announced by the band earlier this morning, just one day after they had initially been scheduled to perform a one-off benefit concert in St Kilda.
“Midnight Oil is disappointed to announce that Rob Hirst has returned a positive test for Covid-19,” the group wrote on Facebook. “As a result the band needs to postpone its next two gigs to allow Rob to quarantine as required by Victorian law.”
Currently in the midst of their final tour, Midnight Oil reportedly wrapped up their performance at Geelong’s Mt Duneed Estate on Saturday, when Hirst – who had been “battling a chest infection for several days” – found his symptoms worsening.
Though Hirst initially returned negative COVID tests, the group cancelled their one-off show on Monday night, which would’ve seen them performing their 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 album in entirety at St Kilda’s Palais Theatre to raise money for environmental groups.
Now, following a positive diagnosis, the group have revealed that their show at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena (originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th) has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 27th, while their A Day on The Green performance at Rutherglen’s All Saints Estate (originally scheduled for Saturday, March 12th) has been moved to Sunday, April 24th.
Ticketholders have been advised that no action is required on their part, though refunds are available from the point of purchase if needed.
“The band would like to apologise to everyone inconvenienced by this development and thank everyone who has sent Rob ‘get well’ messages,” the group added. “Despite the positive test he actually feels a bit better today and is confident of a full and speedy recovery.”
Midnight Oil: Resist – The Final Tour
Wednesday, March 9th (Postponed)
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday, March 12th (Postponed)
All Saints Estate, Rutherglen, VIC
Saturday, March 26th
Nikola Estate, Swan Valley, WA
Sunday, March 27th (New Date)
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday, March 30th
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, SA
Saturday, April 2nd
Darwin Amphitheatre, Darwin, NT
Wednesday, April 6th
Convention Centre Arena, Cairns, QLD
Saturday, April 9th
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Wednesday, April 13th (Sold Out)
Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD
Tuesday, April 19th
Stage 88 Canberra, ACT
Thursday, April 21st
Qudos Bank Arena Sydney, NSW
Sunday, April 24th (New Date)
All Saints Estate, Rutherglen, VIC
Tickets available via Frontier Touring
