The Great Circle 2017 brought Midnight Oil back to South Africa for the first time in 23 years. Back then, Nelson Mandela had just become President. Much has changed since those heady days but the passion of the music lovers in Johannesburg remains undiminished. Thanks to BreakOut and all the fans for making this such a memorable day.
South Africa setlist.
Biltong. “You know you’re in South Africa when…”
The European leg of The Great Circle came to a close this week with a string of epic festival appearances across the continent plus encore plays at London’s Hammersmith Apollo and L’Olympia in Paris.
In addition to the shows, the band got out and about visiting galleries, historic sites and catching up with U2’s Joshua Tree tour on a night off.
Thanks to everyone who came to a show for helping make recent weeks an all time highlight for the band.
Now it’s on to South Africa for a special outdoor show in Johannesburg.
RH on the tour bus, July 9
Les Deferlantes setlist, July 9
“Paying respects to James Joyce and Nora Barnacle, Zurich” – Jim, July 11
Musilac Festival, July 14
“Welcome to our new digs in the South of France. Kenno (monitors), Ben (guitar and keys tech), moi.” – Jim, July 14
Jack in the gear truck! July 14
Carhaix Festival poster, July 16
Paleo Festival – Nyon, Switzerland, July 19
“Pixies at Paleo, INvading spaceship cloud approaching” – Jim, July 19
“Blokes and their busses. Paleo Festival, Switzerland” – Jim, July 19
Colours of Ostrava, Czech Republic, July 21
Colours of Ostrava, Czech Republic, July 21
Colours of Ostrava, Czech Republic, July 21
“Bohemian Rhapsodizing. Goodbye Czech, you were amazing.” – Jim, July 22
London, Round 2… July 23
London, Round 2… July 23
“We need more pianos in here…” – Jim, July 24
Paris, Round 2… July 25
Meeting fans outside L’Olympia, July 25
“What does it mean? Contemplating Geroge Baselitz (1938-)” – Jim, July 26
After a two week break The Great Circle 2017 has resumed with 10 headline gigs so far across Europe. Sets have been getting longer – pushing out to nearly two and a half hours on some nights. The band continues to deliver nightly surprises including their first ever live performance of the entire “Diesel & Dust” album in the middle of their Berlin set, and then the whole “Species Deceases” EP in Copenhagen.
In Sweden the 10pm sunset made for an unusually late twilight gig while their return to Amsterdam’s legendary Paradiso even included the same support band who joined them at their previous show there back in 1988. Other highlights of recent weeks included their first ever performances at London’s iconic Hammersmith Apollo and The Olympia in Paris to which the band will return for two special encore appearances later this month.
Rob writing during downtime in Cologne 6/21
Bones has MAC, will travel 6/22
Jim and his bier 6/22
Paradiso, Amsterdam 6/23
Berlin 6/25
Street Poster, Oslo 6/29
Gävle, Sweden 7/1
Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, London 7/4
“Hammersmith Apollo soundcheck time.” – Jim 7/4
“Jack plays Royal AlPert Hall.” – Jim 7/4
View from the Tank, London 7/4
Soundcheck, London 7/4
Hammersmith Eventim Apollo crowd, London 7/4
Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, London 7/4
“Pete doing the set.” – Jim 7/4
“Goldhaek Road, Shepherd’s Bush where we recorded 10-1. The studio has been demolished, everything’s different but not much has changed.” – Jim 7/5
“Folk Rock alert!” – Jim 7/5
Blue Sky Paris 7/6
L’Olympia, side of stage 7/6
#StopAdani 7/6
Paris Poster 7/6
Signs 7/6
“Dedication in ink.” – Jim 7/6
Festival Beauregard’s backstage Chateau 7/7
Beauregard Dressing room 7/7
Almost time… 7/7
Festival Beauregard 7/7
