The Factory Theatre Marrickville
15 March 2024
Reviewer / Photographer: Jo Forster
Peter Garrett, best known as the commandeering front man for esteemed Australian Band Midnight Oil, as well as a well-respected social activist, environmentalist and political leader in the Australian Federal Labor Party, has released his second solo album, The True North. I was lucky enough to be invited to capture one of his shows for his recent tour with his band The Alter Egos.
Filled to capacity, The Factory Theatre in Marrickville eagerly anticipated this special live performance by one of Australia’s most prominent musicians. Such a rare opportunity to see him in a more intimate setting than the stadium performances that Midnight Oil have performed in. Backed by The Alter Egos (made up of none other than the Oil’s very own Martin Rotsey and including the incredible drum prowess of Evan Mannell), The Factory audience settled in for a mix of songs from the latest album as well as firm favourites from the Oils’ catalogue.
The show opened with the title track from The True North, followed by ‘Kangaroo Tail’ and ‘Great White Shark’. The new album has debuted at Number 1 and it’s easy to see why. The tracks are filled with imagery from the Australian landscape and its indigenous people and heritage that Peter has fought so hard to protect and performed by the band that recorded them.
“The True North is my personal reflection and musical journey, drawing inspiration and sustenance from the living colours of Australia’s natural environment, home to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples: an embodiment of the sights and sounds of modern Oz. This has now been visualised via an interactive website which you can experience, HERE. I’m aiming to highlight environmental hot spots in Northern Australia, but the music and title reach broader… referencing one’s moral compass with both geographic and philosophical meaning. No nursery rhymes set to music here!”
I wasn’t certain that any of the Oils songs would be included – at least not in the main set; but The Alter Egos provided the most incredible backing to a bunch of well loved hits including ‘Beds Are Burning’ and ‘Dreamworld’.
