Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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Midnight Oil perform 'Blackfella/Whitefella' and 'The Dead Heart', live with Warumpi Band on the Blackfella/Whitefella tour in 1986. Both songs originally featured on the albums 'Big Name, No Blankets' and 'Diesel and Dust' respectively.

In 1986, Midnight Oil was invited to tour central Australian Aboriginal settlements with the legendary Aboriginal group Warumpi Band. They staged concerts, talked with tribal elders and saw European occupation through the eyes of its original inhabitants. This became known as the Blackfella/Whitefella tour. This tour became the creative catalyst for the writing and recording of Midnight Oil’s 'Diesel and Dust' album. Blackfella/Whitefella is the documentation of those experiences featuring the music of Midnight Oil and Warumpi Band along with the videos for 'The Dead Heart' and 'Beds Are Burning' from 'Diesel and Dust'.

Colour Restoration by Justin Heitman, Blue Turtle Video Design
In memory of G.R. Burrawanga
King of Aboriginal Rock
Footage courtesy ABC Television