Melbourne Ska Orchestra set to head to Margaret River for first time as part of Outlaws and Offbeats Tour

Organising a tour for a musical act can be difficult at times — booking venues, hotels and flights, and moving show equipment are just some of the logistic hurdles which need to be overcome. That task becomes a whole lot more difficult if said musical act has more than 20 members who need to be organised. And, while it is an issue the Melbourne Ska Orchestra has to deal with on a regular basis, band leader Nicky Bomba says after more than two decades, things have got easier. “Thankfully we’ve got a good team now who understands the idiosyncratic kind of make-up that is the orchestra . . . thankfully, everyone gets that it is a difficult thing to do,” he said. The Melbourne Ska Orchestra started in 2003 and has made a big impact on the music scene since. The up to 26-person band has won two ARIA awards, performed at the Byron Bay Bluesfest seven times and even made an appearance at Glastonbury in 2014. Bomba admits it is aunbelievable the group is still going after 21 years. “I think as a result of its quirky make-up,” he said . “The fact there’s something special about having that many people on stage all playing music and you’re all on the same page, and there’s a real connection that happens with the audience — I think that’s really the thing that’s kept us going for this long.” Bomba is no stranger to WA having previously been part of the John Butler Trio. Now he and the orchestra will return to the State for their Outlaws and Offbeats Tour as a celebration of the band’s longevity. While the band will not be going too crazy celebrating its 21st birthday, Bomba admits the orchestra does have a plan to go on a tasting tour of wineries around Margaret River while in town for its first ever show. “We have a lot of wine drinkers in the band, so that will be happening,” he said. The Melbourne Ska Orchestra plays at The River in Margaret River on September 20 and Freo.Social in Fremantle on September 21. Tickets are available at melbourneskaorchestra.com/shows.