Blab Music
Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos Announce Intimate East-Coast Tour Ahead of Queenscliff Music Festival
Peter Garrett, the iconic frontman of Midnight Oil, is turning back the clock this November. He will bring his newly formed band, The Alter Egos, to a series of cozy pub shows across New South Wales and Queensland before closing the run with a co‑headlining slot at Victoria’s Queenscliff Music Festival.
The Alter Egos line‑up brings together a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent. Guitarist Martin Rotsey, a long‑time Midnight Oil member, joins drummer Kram of Spiderbait, keyboardist Heather Shannon from The Jezebels, bassist Zoe Hauptmann, and backing vocalists Grace and May Garrett. Together they will play tracks from Garrett’s solo catalog—A Version of Now and The True North—alongside select Midnight Oil classics and a handful of other songs.
Garrett reflected on the purpose of the tour: “You don’t have to doom scroll for too long these days to know that we urgently need to change how we treat our country and each other.” He added that music remains a vital outlet for expressing thoughts about the world and that he looks forward to performing again after spending much of his recent time in public service.
The tour schedule is: - 20 November – Mona Vale Hotel, Sydney, NSW - 26 November – Distillery Road Market, Eagleby, QLD - 27 November – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, NSW - 28 November – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff, VIC
Queenscliff, held on Wadawurrung Country, will run from 27 November to 29 November. Garrett’s appearance is part of the festival’s 28th instalment, which also features acts such as Baker Boy and Kate Miller‑Heidke.
Beyond the stage, Garrett was recently appointed Chair of Landcare Australia, stepping into the role after the resignation of long‑time chair Doug Humann. Landcare’s CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, welcomed Garrett to the position. Earlier this month, he also took the helm of the crowdfunded AUKUS Public Inquiry, which will examine the $368 billion nuclear‑powered submarine plan and includes commissioners such as former Australian Defence Force chief Admiral Chris Barrie and former Western Australian premier Carmen Lawrence.
The brief, intimate tour is presented by Select Music and Eleven: A Music Company. Ticketing information is available through the official channels listed on Garrett’s website, with resale options offered by the official partner, Tixel, for those who miss the initial dates.
Garrett’s return to live performance underscores his enduring relevance in the Australian music scene. While his political and environmental commitments occupy much of his time, the tour offers fans a chance to experience the energy that has defined his career since the 1970s. Ticket sales open on 30 June, and the final show at Queenscliff will close the run, marking a key moment for Midnight Oil fans and anyone interested in Garrett’s advocacy for environmental and social issues.
The Alter Egos line‑up brings together a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent. Guitarist Martin Rotsey, a long‑time Midnight Oil member, joins drummer Kram of Spiderbait, keyboardist Heather Shannon from The Jezebels, bassist Zoe Hauptmann, and backing vocalists Grace and May Garrett. Together they will play tracks from Garrett’s solo catalog—A Version of Now and The True North—alongside select Midnight Oil classics and a handful of other songs.
Garrett reflected on the purpose of the tour: “You don’t have to doom scroll for too long these days to know that we urgently need to change how we treat our country and each other.” He added that music remains a vital outlet for expressing thoughts about the world and that he looks forward to performing again after spending much of his recent time in public service.
The tour schedule is: - 20 November – Mona Vale Hotel, Sydney, NSW - 26 November – Distillery Road Market, Eagleby, QLD - 27 November – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, NSW - 28 November – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff, VIC
Queenscliff, held on Wadawurrung Country, will run from 27 November to 29 November. Garrett’s appearance is part of the festival’s 28th instalment, which also features acts such as Baker Boy and Kate Miller‑Heidke.
Beyond the stage, Garrett was recently appointed Chair of Landcare Australia, stepping into the role after the resignation of long‑time chair Doug Humann. Landcare’s CEO, Dr Shane Norrish, welcomed Garrett to the position. Earlier this month, he also took the helm of the crowdfunded AUKUS Public Inquiry, which will examine the $368 billion nuclear‑powered submarine plan and includes commissioners such as former Australian Defence Force chief Admiral Chris Barrie and former Western Australian premier Carmen Lawrence.
The brief, intimate tour is presented by Select Music and Eleven: A Music Company. Ticketing information is available through the official channels listed on Garrett’s website, with resale options offered by the official partner, Tixel, for those who miss the initial dates.
Garrett’s return to live performance underscores his enduring relevance in the Australian music scene. While his political and environmental commitments occupy much of his time, the tour offers fans a chance to experience the energy that has defined his career since the 1970s. Ticket sales open on 30 June, and the final show at Queenscliff will close the run, marking a key moment for Midnight Oil fans and anyone interested in Garrett’s advocacy for environmental and social issues.
