Photos by Andy Argyrakis

So many acts coast exclusively on nostalgia when it’s time to retire from the road, but Midnight Oil isn’t just any band, especially one that would ever rely on past glories.

The alternative rockers are amongst the most assertive and galvanizing forces to ever come out of Australia, or possibly anywhere, and may very well have released the quintessential album of its multi-million selling career, aptly titled “Resist,” to accompany this swansong.

Of course, the trick to having a more than four-decade discography was exactly how much to pull from each era at a packed Riviera Theatre, but throughout two hours, Midnight Oil managed to straddle both the main points and detours.

“Nobody’s Child,” “Undercover” and “The Barka-Darling River” were a few of the new cuts that found singer Peter Garrett, guitarist/keyboardist Jim Moginie, drummer Rob Hirst and guitarist Martin Rotsey (with the blessing of late bassist Bones Hillman) continuing in their socially conscious, corruption-combatting, environmental-themed tradition with even more punch and crunch as expected.

In fact, they ranked right up there with previous topical treasures, including “Put Down That Weapon,” off the blockbuster “Diesel And Dust,” and “Blue Sky Mine,” from the similarly named follow-up, all of which shared producer Warne Livesey (The The, Paul Young, Jesus Jones).

Other than those amply represented projects, selections such as “Only The Strong” and “Power And The Passion,” from “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,” which was previously played in its entirety here in town, demonstrated the group’s exponential growth from the Down Under-ground to the world’s stage.

There was no better example of that than “Beds Are Burning,” which made Midnight Oil a full-fledged household name, but never at the expense of anyone’s activism, though it was actually “Forgotten Years” that brought the bittersweet celebration towards the extensive encore.

And considering no two shows repeat themselves thanks to drastically changing playlists, it would be wise for the dedicated to keep an eye on the calendar, specifically if this really is the beginning of the end.

For additional information on Midnight Oil, visit MidnightOil.com.

For a list of upcoming Jam Productions shows, visit JamUSA.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Riviera Theatre include Tash Sultana (Jun. 15); Purity Ring (Jun. 18); The Cult (Jul. 12); The Driver Era (Aug. 12); Franz Ferdinand (Aug. 19); IDKHOW and Joywave (Aug. 25); Architects (Sept. 9); Kevin Gates (Sept. 13); Sabrina Claudio (Sept. 16); Arlo Parks (Sept. 18); Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb (Sept. 25); The Gaslight Anthem (Sept. 26); Peach Pit (Sept. 27); Stereolab (Sept. 29) and Moderat (Sept. 30). For additional details, visit JamUSA.com/Riviera-Theatre.

Related Articles

“Beds Are Burning” and Midnight Oil will tour no more after “Resist” comes to the Riviera British power pop at its most tempting from a Difford & Tilbrook-led Squeeze Squeeze: “Join The Dots” Tour at Vic Theatre Depeche Mode: “Global Spirit” Tour at United Center Jenny Lewis: “On The Line” Tour at Riviera Theatre Sleater-Kinney: “The Center Won’t Hold” Tour at Riviera Theatre The Hives: “Scream Team” Tour at Vic Theatre Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Electronic): “Comet” Tour at Vic Theatre