The Making of Midnight Oil exclusive to Noosa Regional Gallery

A major exhibition celebrating the 'power and the passion' of inspirational rock band Midnight Oil will open free to the public at Noosa Regional Gallery, Friday 2 September.

Developed by Manly Art Gallery & Museum’s Ross Heathcote, Wendy Osmond and Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst, The Making of Midnight Oil examines the band’s impact on social and cultural history across a 40-year period.

It showcases iconic stage props, instruments, protest banners, hand-written lyrics, photographs and posters, as well as rare and exclusive footage and unreleased music, sourced from public and private collections and the band’s own archives.

From Sydney’s northern beaches pub circuit in the 1970s, Midnight Oil’s fierce commitment to environmental, social, anti-war and Indigenous rights issues went on to win the band audiences across the globe.

With nearly a dozen songs on the Billboard charts and Diesel and Dust topping the list of 100 Best Australian Albums Of All Time, Midnight Oil was a force to be reckoned with.

“We’re thrilled to be chosen as the only Queensland stop in The Making of Midnight Oil exhibition’s tour,” says Noosa Regional Gallery Director Nina Shadforth. “This exhibition will be a timely refresher for Midnight Oil fans given the band’s recent announcement to tour in 2017.”

“Our expanded public program includes a curator’s guided tour with band member Rob Hirst.  There’s a song-writing workshop in collaboration with Sean Sennett, and children’s activities such as instrument making workshops, Zines and loads more,” Ms Shadforth says.

“An unseen film montage by award-winning director David Bradbury featuring the Oils performing at the 1981 Tanelorn Festival in Stroud, NSW will be a highlight as it’s the only known footage of this concert,” she said.

“We’re also pleased to showcase the band’s personal home movies filmed on Super 8 while on tour in the early 1990s.”

Oils band member Rob Hirst said: “It’s a Midnight Oil exhibition, sure. But it’s also the story of a time when music – loud, fast and original – was all that mattered.... and about the bands and the beer-halls and the smoky, sweaty, sticky joy of it all.”

The Making of Midnight Oil is open free to the public from Friday, September 2 to November 20 at Noosa Regional Gallery.

For more information, find the Gallery on social media or visit the website.

The Making of Midnight Oil touring exhibition is funded by Visions of Australia, Arts NSW and Manly Art Gallery & Museum.

4 August 2016