Midnight Oil "One for the Homeless"

   You might add two nights at Newcastle's Palais in Hunter St West to the list on this shirt!! 24th and 26th March 1991 served as warm ups for the 'One for the Homeless' Benefits and the Palais shows were amazing!! Seriously they were up there with Selina's at the Coogee Bay Hotel but not quite Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
   It was a strange venue with side metal rails and the bar along the wall, a former dancehall and later the beginnings of 'The Loft' youth venue. It was run down, hot and uncomfortable, but yet we sat on the floor waiting for the Oils, I can't recall a support act that night, might have been a DJ...
   This shirt reminds me of 'The Oils' whole organisation revolving around a Foundation and a range of worthy causes coordinated as part of their efforts in 'giving back' from Glebe Point Rd upstairs... and it reminds me of the chore that was being an Oils support act. It was an endearing feature of the passionate crowds that a few songs would be tolerated and eventually the mob would begin to chant "Ooooiiills Ooiillss!!" and drown out many a talented performer.
   At the Enmore Theatre for 'Scream in Blue' live album the band even sought applause for 'Tall Tales & True" after their opening salvo, recognising that the chant had started early and even the band tried to placate fans by claiming their own Oils fandom. I think 'Horsehead' heavy rock band were booked for Coogee one night because they might be loud enough to drown it out... instead one punter was so loud and insistant that the lead singer challenged him to take it out to the car park and threatened to throw a beer can at him mid song.
   'Nitocris' did well the most frantic night I've ever experienced at the same venue and 'Diesel' was stunning the last time I saw them live at Manly before Peter left the band [before WaveAid and Bushfire Relief brought them back] His sound was crystal clear and his vocals haunting... it was a celebration of contrast upstairs at Manly Leagues and it was the night I knew it was all over... just something about the vib and the best I'd heard the band for a couple of years.
   Back to the Palais, it was a night with a few friends and a chance to introduce a few mates to the genuine article live... they thanked me by shouting a ticket to the second night!!