Although details have yet to be finalized, the tour will be the group’s first major gig since 2002.
“We know it’s been a while but we wanted to tell you that the five of us are finally making plans to get together again for some gigs next year. We’re looking forward to hopefully playing overseas and touring our homeland for the first time since 2002,” the band said on its website.
“We won’t know exactly when, where and what we’ll be doing before next January at the earliest so in the meantime please just ignore any rumors. Unless and until you hear about something from us you can safely assume that it’s not yet confirmed.”
Frontman Peter Garrett also confirmed that he is releasing his first solo album. While working on his memoir ‘Big Blue Sky,’ Garrett said “a surprising byproduct of writing words all day was to suddenly find music coming back.”
The band’s website also announced that more details on Garrett’s album will be available in the coming months.
The Oils are also offering their newsletter subscribers a free download of a live recording from one of their recent shows.
“It’s from one of the most recent gigs we did together – a warm up show in Canberra before the big “Sound Relief” benefit concert at the MCG back in 2009,” the band said.
“Next year we want to make a racket just like this and we hope to see you there.”
Composed of Garrett, guitarist and keyboardist Jim Moginie, guitarist Martin Rotsey, bassist Bones Hillman and drummer Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil is known for political activism.
The band, formed in Sydney in 1970s, gained worldwide fame in late 1980s and early 1990s via hits such as “Beds are Burning,” “Blue Sky Mine” and “Forgotten Years.” It disbanded in 2002 when Garrett, an environmental activist, entered politics.
In 2007, Garrett was sworn in as Australia’s Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. After the 2010 elections, he was appointed Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, a position he held for three years.
