A milestone for many, often signifying the transition into adulthood, approaching the 21 year age bracket is always something to be celebrated. And in 2024, the 21st anniversary for the ARIA Award-winning collective Melbourne Ska Orchestra is set to bring the festivities to fans across Australia. The band has announced its Outlaws and Offbeats Tour kicking off this August before whipping around the country well into October.
Forming in the early 2000s and comprising up to 26 members, the sonic juggernaut that is Melbourne Ska Orchestra is one beating at its core with technical brilliance and infectious joy.
Bringing their own unique take on the ska genre, Melbourne Ska Orchestra boasts some of Australia’s finest musicians and performances, helmed by the indomitable charisma of Nicky Bomba (John Butler Trio, Bomba, Bustamento).
And from the group’s early days in 2003 wowing Melbourne crowds through to seven full-length albums, two ARIA Award wins and several nominations, and millions of streams worldwide, 2024 finds the talented collective now on the cusp of celebrating 21 years in action; and, as Bomba shares, there’s zero sign of Melbourne Ska Orchestra slowing down anytime soon.
“It’s been quite an amazing journey so far,” says Bomba. “This whole ramshackle thing we call the orchestra was created from a love of ska and the fun vibes surrounding it all. We had no idea it would translate so well with everyone, and it still feels like we have a lot more to create,” he said.
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA – OUTLAWS AND OFFBEATS TOUR DATES:
Tickets available at https://www.melbourneskaorchestra.com/shows/
FRI 16 AUG I TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS QLD | supported by El Moth
- FRI 23 AUG I THE BRIGHTSIDE OUTDOORS, BRISBANE QLD I 18+ | supported by The Seven of Ska & Chutney Tickets available from oztix.com.au
- SAT 24 AUG I THE STATION, SUNSHINE COAST QLD I ALL AGES | supported by The Seven of Ska & Chutney Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
- SUN 25 AUG I SOUNDLOUNGE, GOLD COAST QLD I 18+ | supported by Chutney Tickets available from oztix.com.au
- THU 29 AUG I KING STREET BANDROOM, NEWCASTLE NSW I 18+ | supported by Chutney Tickets available from oztix.com.au
- FRI 30 AUG I WAVES, TOWRADGI NSW I 18+ | supported by Chutney Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
- SAT 31 AUG I METRO THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | supported by Chutney & PlayLunch Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets
- SUN 01 SEP I THE BASEMENT, CANBERRA ACT | supported by ChutneyTickets available from oztix.com.au
- SAT 14 SEP I THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE VIC | supported by PlayLunch Tickets available from oztix.com.au
- FRI 20 SEP I THE RIVER, MARGARET RIVER WA Tickets available from theriver.oztix.com.au/
- SAT 21 SEP I FREO.SOCIAL, FREMANTLE WA I 18+ | supported by ModSquad Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
- FRI 04 OCT I 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE VIC I 18+ | supported by PlayLunch Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
- SAT 19 OCT I HINDLEY STREET MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE SA I 18+ | supported by PlayLunch Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
