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
