Get out your band t-shirts because Australian rock band Midnight Oil is the first act that has been announced for Mona Foma in 2022.
The band will perform for two nights in both Launceston and Hobart as part of the summer festival of music and art.
Mona Foma artistic director Brian Ritchie said Midnight Oil had been "performing undeniably and unapologetically Australian music since their inception".
"Their songs cover a wide range of topics. Their rock quotient is maximum. They have riveting stage presence. Mona Foma is proud to bring this essential band to Tasmania for a rare series of intimate shows," he said.
Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst said the band was delighted to be a part of Mona Foma in 2022.
"This one has fallen into our lap at a great time. We are expecting them to be quite special gigs," he said.
"Members of our band have been regulars at Mona Foma, on-stage and off, since the very first festival. Now finally playing as Midnight Oil, we'll rotate songs from years past with fresh tracks ... see you there."
The open-air performances by the Oils will see the band preview songs from their upcoming album, including recent single Rising Seas, as well as music from The Makarrata Project.
However, those who are fans of the band's older music will also get to hear some of the classics from Midnight Oil's back catalogue.
Hirst said it had been great performing on a mini-tour earlier in the year, and the band was very much looking forward to the next lot of shows.
"Festivals can take a life of their own ... they can be a complete experience for people ... people are just dying to get out," he said.
The band has played in Launceston previously, but had more recently played in Hobart during 2017 while on tour.
"[Mona Foma] gives us an opportunity to come back and play for people who haven't seen the band in a long time," Hirst said.
"We noticed that on the Makarrata tour earlier this year and on the Circle tour ... there were people of all ages, and many more young people than expected."
See Midnight Oil at Royal Park, Launceston, on January 23 and 25, and at the Mona Lawns, Hobart, on January 28 and 31.
All Midnight Oil ticketholders must be double vaccinated against COVID-19, with proof of vaccination required to gain entry to the event venues.
Hirst said vaccinations were a personal view, but the virus was not going away and for musicians to be able to play in front of audiences there were certain things people would have to adhere to, like being vaccinated.
Tickets go on sale from December 6, with the full program to be announced on December 3. To subscribe to the mailing list to get first access visit monafoma.net.au/subscribe.
A waitlist will be made available if events sell out.
Mona Foma will run from January 21-30, with Launceston seeing the festival from January 21-23 and then Hobart entertaining it from January 28-30.
- The band later announced the performances at Mona Foma would kick off their farewell tour
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor:
Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
