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Midnight Oil: riot police circled as we feared being incinerated with the semi-naked crowd
Drummer Rob Hirst relives the anarchic closing night of a legendary Sydney live music venue in 1980 that the Oils were astonished to survive
In this Guardian Australia series, our favourite musicians reflect on their most memorable concertsTrouble was brewing at soundcheck time. Small groups of fashion punks, loitering up in Belmore Park, started hurling the odd rock and bottle down at the riot police who’d formed a shield barrier around the perimeter of the Stage Door Tavern.
Ah, the Stage Door! All the local pub bands played there – Cold Chisel, the Angels, INXS, Mentals, Dragon and Mi-Sex, plus big overseas acts like the Stranglers, Rockpile and Dr Feelgood. Hidden away under an ugly office block near Sydney’s Central station, the Stage Door was one of the main inner-city gigs on the late-70s touring circuit. Run by Pat Jay, it managed to survive for years on its gritty alt-rock reputation, its aggressive promotion and the bricks of cash that changed hands in the office. Smoke-filled and as hot as hades, the gig was tough on performers – it was like playing in a giant, sweaty, super-heated bong. Last drinks were just before 3am.
Midnight Oil’s latest album, Resist, is out on 18 February. Their final tour is on now
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