MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA RELEASE CINEMATIC NEW SINGLE ‘WALLS OF JERICHO’ ANNOUNCE GLOBAL ‘THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO’ TOUR JULY – OCTOBER
The explosive ARIA Award-winning ska juggernaut that is Melbourne Ska Orchestra returns today armed with a cinematic new single, Walls of Jericho, alongside the announcement of a mammoth global tour set to span Australia, Japan and Canada across July to October 2025. A charismatic addition to their ever-burgeoning repertoire, Walls of Jericho also marks the second taste of the band’s, as yet unannounced, forthcoming new album, following on from the group’s 2024 upbeat track John Wayne.
The Australian leg of ‘The Ballad of Monte Loco’ tour will kick off at Liberty Hall in Sydney on August 1, before moving through Canberra, Geelong, Castlemaine, Hobart, Adelaide, Fremantle, Brisbane and Gold Coast, fittingly finishing up with a home town show at 170 Russell in Melbourne on October 3. Tickets go on sale to the general public on April 4 from www.melbourneskaorchestra.com/.
A track bustling with undulating reggae rhythms, hazy undertones and brassy grit, Walls of Jericho instantly draws to mind classic Spaghetti Western films, channelling the widescreen Western storytelling of Ennio Morricone along with some other key stylistic nods, internally and externally, for good measure. “Burning Spear and Toots and the Maytals always whisper in our ears when we’re deep in that rootsy zone. And a touch of the MSO magico…” the band shares of their latest single. And amongst the jubilant melodics and sparkling delivery, Walls of Jericho also delivers a powerful message, drawn from historic tales that still permeate today; albeit with an uplifting conclusion, as the band explain, “Walls of Jericho is a reflection on the futility of war and how history often repeats itself when we fail to learn. It questions how easily people are led into conflict, often by those with something to gain. The story draws from ancient symbolism—the biblical tale of Jericho—and uses that as a metaphor for breaking down oppressive systems. Despite its heavy themes, the tune ends with an uplifting singalong chorus—because we always want to shine a light on hope, unity and the strength of people when they stand together.”
Produced by Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s enigmatic leader Nicky Bomba, along with MSO’s studio crew, Walls of Jericho brings a fresh lens to the Melbourne Ska Orchestra sound, with the single offering a second glance into the band’s unannounced new album, fresh on the heels of their 2024 single John Wayne. “We’re thrilled to share that Walls of Jericho is the second taste of our forthcoming album, and yes, John Wayne is riding with us on this journey!” the band share. “This record takes a wider lens on our musical journey—dipping into cinematic reggae, big-band storytelling, and soulful protest vibes. Expect a melting pot of deep grooves, lush horn lines, and a global soundscape that keeps one foot on the dancefloor and the other in the clouds.”
Forming in the early 2000s, Melbourne Ska Orchestra bring together some of Australia’s finest musicians and performers, helmed by Nicky Bomba(John Butler Trio, Bomba, Busyamento). An orchestra with a difference comprising up to 26 members, the group’s 2013 debut self-titled release earned MSO their first of many ARIA Award nominations, with the band going on to win Best World Music Album in 2016 for their sophomore album, Sierra Kilo Alpha, and another win for Best World Music Album in 2019 for their compilation album One Year of Ska; an opus that saw MSO release a song every week for an entire year, culminating 52 tracks for the final result.
With multiple sold out national shows, major multiple festival appearances, three international tours, and multiple awards and nominations in their wake, Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s explosive and infectious live performance, coupled with their unique take on the ska tropes, has seen them travel the world, from Montral to New York, Istanbul, London, Tokyo and Mexico, while also garnering approval from reggae and ska pioneers like Stranger Cole, Owen Grab, Carlos Malcolm, Ranking Roger and Neville Staples along the way. And in 2025, it’s not just new music that is stirring in the world of Melbourne Ska Orchestra, but also a global tour featuring brand new material locked in for July – October 2025; and it’s set to be an incredible exploration of new and old favourite MSO moments alongside lashing of energy and joy. “It’s going to be wild!” shares the band of their upcoming global tour. “These shows will be a blend of the high-energy madness people know us for, plus some deeper, more cinematic moments that really lean into the new record. We’re taking the full 20-piece band across Australia, and the international legs—packed with horns, rhythm, and joyful firepower. Expect dancing, storytelling, and a sonic journey like no other.”
For now, the latest single from Melbourne Ska Orchestra is undeniably yet another glimmering jewel in the band’s spectacular catalogue; perfect for late nights driving down a desert highway as much as it’s also a track yearning to be witnessed live. “Walls of Jericho has been brewing for a while,” the band concludes, “and it’s one of those tracks that really stretches the MSO palette. It’s always exciting to release something that feels both timely and timeless, and this tune really hits that mark for us.”
Tickets for Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s ‘The Ballad Of Monte Loco’ Tour go on sale to the general public on April 4 from www.melbourneskaorchestra.com/.
Walls of Jericho is out today.
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA – THE BALLAD OF MONTE LOCO AUSTRALIAN SHOWS
Tickets available from http://www.melbourneskaorchestra.com/
FRI 01 AUG | LIBERTY HALL, SYDNEY
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SAT 02 AUG | UC HUB, CANBERRA
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SAT 09 AUG | TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS
Tickets available from https://www.ticketlink.com.au/ticketlinkEvents/event-staging-folder/melbourne-ska-orchestra-2025
FRI 29 AUG | THE WOOL EXCHANGE, GEELONG
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 30 AUG | THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 05 SEP | ALTAR BAR, HOBART
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 12 SEP | THE GOV, ADELAIDE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
SAT 13 SEP | PORT BEACH BREWERY, FREMANTLE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 19 SEP | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SAT 20 SEP | MIAMI MARKETTA, GOLD COAST
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 03 OCT | 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
JUSTICE SET TO BRING SPECTACULAR LIVE SHOW TO AUSTRALIA PERFORMING 3 MASSIVE ARENA SHOWS THIS DECEMBER
Australia – Thursday 3 April, 2025 – French electronic Grammy winners, Justice, is bringing its acclaimed live show with full production to Australia for three special east coast shows this December, presented by TEG Live.
The Australian leg of the JUSTICE tour kicks off in Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday 3 December, then heads to Melbourne’s John Cain Arena on Friday 5 December, before winding up in Brisbane at the Entertainment Centre on Sunday 7 December.
A Justice fan presale starts Monday 7 April, 1pm local time and runs until Tuesday 8 April, 12pm local time (sign up). A TEG Live presale starts Tuesday 8 April, 1pm local time and runs until Wednesday 9 April, 12pm local time (sign up). Tickets go on sale to the general public Wednesday 9 April at 1pm local time. Visit www.teglive.com.aufor more information.
Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay’s ongoing global tour behind last year’s ‘Hyperdrama’ album has been lauded as a“pulverising audio-visual spectacular that deserves to go down in history” (Rolling Stone UK).
The tour announcement comes after a big couple of years for the Parisian pair, who made their comeback at Coachella in April 2024 with a hotly anticipated debut of their new live show. This kicked off a massive US tour leading to a win at the NRJ Awards (French Music Awards Ceremony) for Best International Tour. Meanwhile, Hyperdrama, the first Justice album in eight years, received a nomination in the 2025 GRAMMY Awards. The album featured singles including GRAMMY winning track Neverender and One Night/All Night, both starring one of Australia’s most popular and influential artists, Tame Impala. One Night/All Night landing as triple j’s most played song in February last year. And just last month, Justice featured on The Weeknd’s smash single, Wake Me Up which is already nearing 50 million streams on Spotify.
Tickets to the JUSTICE Australia tour go on sale to the general public Wednesday 9 April at 1pm local time. Visit www.teglive.com.au for more information.
JUSTICE
TOURING AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2025
Tour dates
Wednesday 3 December – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Friday 5 December – John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Sunday 7 December – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
On sale information
Justice Fan Presale (sign up): Mon 7 Apr, 1pm local until Tue 8 Apr, 12pm local
Spotify Presale: Tue 8 Apr, 1pm local until Wed 9 Apr, 12pm local
TEG Live Presale (sign up): Tue 8 Apr, 1pm local until Wed 9 Apr, 12pm local
General On Sale: Wed 9 Apr, 1pm local
Visit teglive.com.au for tour details and tickets.
SOMA + BRAZEN BARBIE TEAM UP FOR HEADLINE SHOWS THIS MAY
This May, two of the brightest stars in the Aussie hip hop scene will team up for two very special joint headline shows, with Sydney eclectic sorceress Soma and Melbourne-based rap guru Brazen Barbie set to join forces. With each artist headlining their respective hometown headline show, Soma and Brazen Barbie will perform on Saturday May 10 at The Chippo Hotel in Sydney, and on Saturday May 17 at The Laundry in Melbourne, with both artists armed with some brand new material primed to dazzle fans in the live setting.
Tickets for Soma and Brazen Barbie’s headline shows go on on sale to the general public on Tuesday April 1 at 10am AEDT from Oztix and Moshtix.
A powerful songstress fluent in blending neo soul, electronica and alternative hip hop with her own unique flair, Soma’s chameleonic artistry developed at a young age, expanding into her solo work that effortlessly straddles relatability and razor-sharp execution. Drawing her creative moniker from the idea of nourishment for the soul, Soma’s blurring of genres and expectations centres music as a universal language, capable of healing, connectivity, and as a powerful avenue for navigating the complexities of the digital age.
Kicking off 2025 with the release of her debut mixtape COBRA, Soma traversed themes of life, love, loss, self-discovery, letting go and taking control, with 11 powerful tracks enticing you into Soma’s staggering creative universe that stylistically spanned hip hop, futuristic soul and beyond. An artist renowned for her ability to fuse timeless charm with raw emotion and modernity, Soma’s cutting-edge creative aesthetics transcends onstage, with her live performances also offering an abundance of energy, connection and storytelling, resulting in a transformative experience that will be on full display this May alongside fellow Aussie powerhouse Brazen Barbie.
“This is a really exciting collaboration for me!” enthuses Soma of the upcoming shows with Brazen Barbie. “Brazen Barbie and I have been supporting each other from afar for a while now. I actually came across her incredible talent online, and I was just drawn to her energy, her voice, and her raw, unapologetic style. She’s someone who really stands out, and I couldn’t help but follow her journey and see how she was taking the Australian music scene by storm. I’ve always admired her confidence and how she represents herself as a powerful, multicultural woman in this industry. Our connection makes sense, not just because of the mutual respect we have for each other’s artistry, but because we both share similar backgrounds as multicultural women in the Australian music scene. I grew up in a diverse environment that exposed me to a wide range of music and sounds, which shaped my unique style. Similarly, Brazen’s roots are deep in her Kenyan-Australian heritage, and she channels that energy in her music, too. We both come from a place of richness in culture, and it’s such a beautiful thing to bring that to life through music.”
Kenyan-Australian, Perth-via-Melbourne artist Brazen Barbie is a genuine force to be reckoned with, wielding a compelling voice, bold lyricism and a rawness that pierces the heart and the mind. An increasing fixture on the Australian R&B and hip hop scenes, Brazen Barbie’s musical flame first sparked in primary school, with her early experiences playing cello and singing ultimately leading to her pursuing the steps of the likes of rapper Gangsta Boo and crunk pioneer Duke Deuce; but eternally with her own voice laced throughout. Previously performing at Sydney Fringe Festival, BIGSOUND, and SXSW, Brazen Barbie also started off 2025 with a bang via the release of a new track: Sweet Talk.
A sleek and bold outing, Sweet Talk channels Brazen Barbie’s ever-burgeoning trademark authenticity along with nods to some of her earliest influences, including Missy Elliott, Eve and Megan Thee Stallion. A matured release that steps into some new territory for the Melbourne-based rapper off the back of a string of potent singles released in 2024, Sweet Talk will be on the menu for fans this May in a live setting, as will Brazen Barbie’s unapologetic world where females reign, perfectly complemented by teaming up with fellow femme rising star Soma.
“Expect to be immersed in an unapologetic world where females reign, egos are slaughtered,” shares Brazen Barbie of the upcoming shows this May. “I’m impenitent with my message and presence. I love wordplay, and making music that makes people feel something, whether that’s hyped, empowered, confident, or feeling heard/understood.”
“Soma and I connected through the scene and admire each other’s work,” adds Brazen Barbie. “We’ve got that mutual respect and appreciation for each other’s craft so it makes sense to join forces and turn that into something even bigger. Our juxtaposing styles complement each other. I’m really excited for these upcoming shows because I’ll be performing some brand-new stuff, including a few tracks that push into different genres. I’ve been experimenting with new sounds, and it’s been really exciting finding ways to blend them with my style. It still has that Brazen flavour I’m known for, but with a fresh twist of the unexpected.”
Tickets for Soma and Brazen Barbie’s headline shows on onsale to the general public on Tuesday April 1 at 10am AEST from Oztix and Moshtix.
SOMA + BRAZEN BARBIE – 2 NIGHTS ONLY TOUR:
SAT 10 MAY | THE CHIPPO HOTEL, SYDNEY | 18+
Tickets available www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Ticketek Outlets
SAT 17 MAY | THE LAUNDRY, MELBOURNE | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets