Midnight Oil has cancelled two performances in the group's final tour following frontman Peter Garrett testing positive to COVID-19.
The iconic Australian rockers were due to perform in Darwin tonight and in Cairns on Wednesday as part of their final tour as a band and on the back of their new album Resist.
However, in a statement shared on the band's social media and emailed to ticketholders this morning, the group said it had no option but to cancel the concerts.
"Midnight Oil are profoundly disappointed to announce that tonight's show in Darwin and Wednesday's show in Cairns have to be cancelled," it said.
"Despite returning negative RATs, frontman Peter Garrett returned a positive PCR test late last night after experiencing flu-like symptoms so he now needs to remain in isolation for seven days.
The email said the band intended to resume the tour on the Sunshine Coast next Saturday.
All affected ticketholders will be refunded.
Midnight Oil's Resist tour kicked off in Launceston in late January.
The band has since performed in various locations in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
Tonight's Darwin show would have been supported by Busby Marou and Emily Wurramara, while King Stingray was due to support in Cairns.
Calls for events insurance scheme revived
Following the shock announcement, the NT's peak body for the music industry has reiterated its calls for the government to establish a COVID-19 insurance scheme for event operators.
In a statement shared on social media this afternoon, MusicNT said it was "deeply sympathetic" to local commercial operators affected by the decision, which had "sent shivers through the live events sector".
"MusicNT again strongly calls for the NT government to engage with us promptly and investigate a live events insurance scheme or risk a silent dry season," the statement said.
"We have a model and it can be adapted to Territory conditions.
"We all want to bring the music back, but those taking the risk to stage gigs and festivals need support."
MusicNT executive director Mark Smith said it was not cheap for companies to put events on in Darwin and an insurance scheme would mean they could get some of their investment back if events were cancelled.
"Part of what it does is says that government has got your back," he said.
"We all want to bring live music back, and we want to bring live events back. And for the Territory especially, I think, these live events are the draw ... that's what’s going to bring the tourists."
The NT government has been contacted for comment.
