This past week was all about Midnight Oil. As a refresher...they haven't toured since 2002 and their run through the States this go around missed our visit by that much, so was delighted when they announced an Asian date on their world tour. Of course Taiwan wasn't on the agenda, but Singapore is only 5 hours away by plane and not too pricey with budget airlines, so this became a top priority for the annual rock and roll pilgrimage.
Since Betty and the Boy are in Charlottesville, had to make it quick as Babydoll is in school. We have a 22 year old cousin of Betty's living with us this summer, so there was adult supervision. Wanted to fly in that day, see the show and bail out as soon as possible. The flight out of Singapore the next day was 9am, so not too bad, but the only one to get me there before show time was a plane that left at 10 past midnight. Apparently, budget airlines aren't so hot at updating delays, and when I arrived promptly 2 hours before the flight, learned that it was delayed and wouldn't leave until 2:40AM.
Quick tangent...why do people have so many kids then suck at parenting? Waiting in the (long) line to check in, am near this family (not Chinese), and they are a swirling mass of chaos. First noticed them when the mom, complete with huge ass, cuts perpendicular through the line, which had turned snake like on itself four times, to get to her brood. The next 30 minutes, all of the clan, their total number still unknown cause they were a blur, but at least 5 kids, were in and out of line in all directions, crashing into people and things while on their phones, talking nonsense, while the parents were either pretending not to notice, or were just oblivious. It culminates with one of their precious offspring crashing into one of those line dividers, the kind that will unzip like an evil tape measure when undone, and whacks the frailest of old Taiwanese ladies. Not even an acknowledgment or apology from any of them. We're all on the same plane and when they get on board (at 2:30am mind you), every single one of them bangs the other passengers with their gear as they go down the aisle like the stewardess with her guitar from Airplane
One more tip for the airport for ya. When you get your boarding pass, put it in your passport in the page with your picture and info. At every security checkpoint, I get behind the guy who hands it over like he is Sir Walter Raleigh and it takes several precious seconds while the checker dude/chick has to find the page. Multiply that by 150 passengers and we'd all get to where we want to go that much faster no? Go one step further and had it over to them open. Why does this kinda stuff bug me so much? And who the hell is Sir Walter Raleigh?
Hit Singapore at 7am and the show is at 8pm. Luckily, Singapore has a great airport which has a couple of decent transit hotels you can book to stay for a few hours to freshen up/snooze between flights. Got one for 7 hours, took a long sleep and even jumped in their pool. Very nice.
The show was on the other side of town, but the metro went directly from the airport to the venue. What hits you as you engage with the population is the racial diversity. Tons of Asians, Indians and westerners, hijabs and sideways baseball caps, all sharing the same spaces equally. Had been to Singapore before so didn't need to sight see, and am sure I detailed how great the place is on that visit, but the place really is fantastic. Extremely well planned and clean, interesting architecture, food options galore, and everyone speaks English. The venue was in a new development where the theatre was on the 5th floor of a mall that had cuisine of all kinds. And nice shopping...like a converse store and super hip musical instrument shop. Stepped into that to touch the guitars, and of course, the guitar players from Midnight Oil were in there checking it out too. Now am obviously a huge fanboy and so cannot approach them cause I'd be all 'love you man'.
The venue, called the Star Theatre, was 5000 seats and very tasteful for a new facility. Was on-line to get tix at the opening bell and found a seat in the second row. A handicapped one so there was no one between me and the stage. Pretty happy with myself at this point
Another solo attendee sits next to me and we share Oils stories...she was about my age from Australia and we talked about our kids and travels. Even for one that hates talking to strangers, it was quite nice. We both shared a love of Sri Lanka as being a hidden gem to visit. She is planning to retire there.
We also talk about Singapore and specifically...will the crowd get up and rush the stage? Even though it is almost exclusively Aussies in attendance, the reputation of Singaporean authorities love of order may rule the day.
Forgive me if I repeat myself for a minute, but I love Midnight Oil. They were massive in Australia suring my exchange student year there in 1983 (Men At Work had taken over the world at the time, but they were a bit of a joke 'Down Under') Their best album (in my and many people's opinion) 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 came out late in '82 and they were playing stadiums in Australia at the time. Fell in love with that disc at first listen and our love for each other has only grown since. Still the best show I ever saw was them in DC in the Spring of '84 at the tiny Bayou in Georgetown, and have seen them every chance I got since...so at least a dozen times. Still, I know of no one in my circle that is even remotely in love with them as I. Would talk folks into going to the shows with me, but have found it hard to convert or even talk about them without people either rolling their eyes or saying that they are too political.
Political is an understatement. 9 out of 10 political songs is not fair. They have 5 tunes out of a couple hundred that aren't protesting something or other. And not just protesting...hardcore name checking racism or corporate greed. They famously drove a flatbed tractor trailer in front of Exxon HQ in NYC after the Valdez and rocked 5th Ave. Whatever...I never come to music for lyrics anyway. It is the power and fury of the music that drew me in. Most people identify the singer as the huge bald guy that dances unlike anyone you've ever seen. The bass player is rock solid and the drummer is as frenetic and driving as they make 'em, but it is the twin guitar assault that is the signature sound for me and I bought my seat to be in front of the one (Jim Moginie) that is the genius (in my opinion) of the band.
They sound like no one else, and I was thinking of who to compare them to and came up with U2. The predate them and bet that U2 wishes they could not only rock as hard as the Oils, but that they had the cajones to take a stand without fear of alienating their base. I like U2, they put on a pretty show and girls seem to like them, but in this seasoned observers view, Midnight Oil is on another level.
So they come out and launch into Redneck Wonderland. Blistering, and no one moves from their seat. I am literally on the edge of mine ready to pounce and see the bouncers in front with arms folded. C'mon people. Peter Garret (the vocalist and chief provocateur) says that "we're a dance band", and we all make our move. I step right up in front to Jim's monitor and pedals and get my ears (face/mind/soul) blown for the next two hours.
A great set (you can see the song list here). Took some snaps...such an amazing night.
Not that I need to defend my rock bona fides, but after the show, metro-ed it back to the airport, found some quiet corner and slept on the floor until it was time to board the plane back to TPE.
One more airport observation...is it just me, or does every arriving flight disembark at the gate furthest from customs?
Great post.. I saw them open up for UB40 at Red Rocks circa 1984. They killed.. UB40 blew. Pretty hardcore travel schedule too..impressive.. I think you should have said something to the dude in the guitar store. MS
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