Iconic Australian band The Whitlams are set to collaborate with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) for a special concert at Hamer Hall on Saturday, September 6, 2025. This performance marks a significant reunion, as The Whitlams were the first Australian group to perform with the nation’s premier orchestras back in 2004.
“Once every seven years we get to perform in the middle of the beautiful storm of an 80-piece orchestra,” said frontman Tim Freedman.
“This show has evolved over the last 20 years since we first performed it in 2004, as various composers have added arrangements when new albums have been written and released,” he said.
The concert will feature a retrospective journey through The Whitlams’ extensive catalogue.
“The usual suspects like No Aphrodisiac and Blow Up the Pokies will be joined by highlights of our 2020’s resurgence with a song from each of the two recent albums, Sancho, and Kookaburra,” Freedman said.
The orchestral arrangements will showcase contributions from esteemed composers, including the late Peter Sculthorpe, MSO Principal Conductor Benjamin Northey, Brett Dean, Iain Grandage, Daniel Denholm, Jamie Messenger, and the concert’s conductor, Nicholas Buc.
Freedman expressed his enthusiasm for a change of pace from the band’s more recent Melbourne gigs.
“Our last three tours to Melbourne have been standing shows at The Forum, The Northcote Theatre, and The Corner Hotel,” he said.
“This is the first seated concert since 2017, and in the best sounding room in the country, the magnificent Hamer Hall.
Tickets for this unique musical collaboration go on sale April 17 via Arts Centre Melbourne.
