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July 17th, 2013 
Midnight Oil. Picture: Ken Duncan
Source: Supplied
Peter Garrett performing in Midnight Oil. Picture: Tony Mott.
Source: Supplied
AUSTRALIAN rock band Midnight Oil has been offered up to $US200,000 ($215,000) per show to reunite and play music festivals in the United States.
Midnight Oil’s manager Gary Morris has revealed that entertainment agents in the US and Australia began circling following singer Peter Garrett’s late June announcement that he is retiring from politics at the forthcoming Federal election.
Midnight Oil is represented in Australia by Tony Grace Guarrera at the Harbour Agency, and in the US by Mitch Rose at CAA, the latter home to the likes of 50 Cent, Mariah Carey and Daft Punk.
“Mitch said there were 50 festivals in America (that would suit Midnight Oil) where the band could earn between $US75,000 and $US200,000 per date,” Mr Morris told said.
But Mr Morris said he doubted the band would accept the offers.
“Knowing where everyone’s heads are at, I can’t see it happening. I can only speak for my point of view.”
Mr Morris, who was considered the sixth member of the Oils, said Peter Garrett was planning to take a long break after the election.
“I’ve spoken to Pete and he’s happy to have time to spend with (wife) Doris and his daughters and catch up on a bit of sleep,” he said.
“From what he said to me I think he will take two years out.”
Mr Morris said that when he spoke to Mr Garrett recently, Midnight Oil was not even mentioned. Nor had he spoken to other band members about the concert offers.
“I guess at some point when we get chatting I’ll drop in, ‘Oh, by the way, I had calls from Gracie and Mitch Rose’,” he said.
Mr Grace Guarrera remains hopeful that one day Midnight Oil will reunite for Australian concerts.
“Nothing has been discussed, but if they do, they would be very special events that would take a lot of planning, and they certainly wouldn’t be about the money,” he said.
While Peter Garrett is not match fit for performance, other members of Midnight Oil have kept their chops up playing in other bands.
Guitarist/keyboardist Jim Moginie, guitarist Martin Rotsey and drummer Rob Hirst formed the band The Break with Brian Ritchie from Violent Femmes and Jack Howard from Hunters &Collectors; Hirst performs with roots act The Backsliders; Moginie has released solo CDs; and bassist Bones Hillman is playing with US country singer Elizabeth Cook.
“I think their wives like them spending a bit of time at home,” Mr Morris said.
Midnight Oil disbanded in 2002.
In 2005 they performed at the Wave Aid charity concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground (preceded by a warm-up gig at Manly Leagues Club in Sydney) to raise funds for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, and in 2009 they reunited to play the Melbourne leg of the Sound Relief charity concert to aid victims of the Victorian bush fires.
A warm-up show was held in Canberra.
Peter Garrett, Jim Moginie and Mitch Rose did not respond to request for comment.
Peter Garrett on stage with Midnight Oil. Picture: Tony Mott.
Source: Supplied
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