Melbourne Ska Orchestra Share New Single ‘Bom Bom Bom’ Ahead of Aussie Tour
‘Bom Bom Bom’ is the latest single taken from Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s upcoming album, The Ballad Of Monte Loco.
Image David Mcarthur
‘Bom Bom Bom’ is the latest single taken from Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s upcoming eighth album, The Ballad of Monte Loco, arriving June 27 (pre-save here).
A cinematic spaghetti Western-inspired explosion, ‘Bom Bom Bom’ continues the good vibes supplied by previous single, ‘Walls of Jericho’.
“Bom Bom Bom is a rally cry wrapped in rhythm. It’s about waking up, standing up, and remembering that the power belongs to the people. There’s a fire underneath it all—a deep frustration with systems that divide and distract—but also a joy in coming together to shake the walls with music. It’s protest through party. It’s a revolution... with a horn section,” explains Melbourne Ska Orchestra leader Nicky Bomba.
“There's definitely a nod to The Skatalites and Toots,” adds Bomba, “but also the storytelling vibe of Gil Scott-Heron, the space-dub of Lee Scratch Perry, and that Spaghetti Western cinematic scope—Morricone still guiding us like a desert prophet. We utilise a few different languages too, Sally Ford bringing the Texacali spirit to the MSO sound.”
Not only do MSO have a new album on the way, but the talented musical collective are hitting the road, performing across Australia, Japan and Canada.
“We’re buzzin’! There’s nothing like the full MSO experience live – up to 20 of us on stage, blasting brass, thundering percussion, and skankin’ til the roof lifts,” says Bomba. “It’s not just a gig—it’s a full-blown brass opera with boots, sweat, and soul. We’re bringing the world of Monte Loco to life in every town we hit.
“This isn’t background music. This is a dancefloor sermon. A brass-laced vision quest. A reminder that when we gather in rhythm, walls fall and hearts rise. Bom Bom Bom is just the beginning. Monte Loco awaits...”
The Australian leg of the tour kicks off at Sydney’s Liberty Hall on Friday, August 1 and continues with concerts at Canberra’s UC Hub on Saturday, August 2, Cairns Tanks Arts Centre on Saturday, August 9, Geelong’s The Wool Exchange on Friday, August 29 and Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal on Saturday, August 30.
The tour continues in September with gigs at Hobart’s Altar Bar on Friday, September 5, Adelaide’s The Gov on Friday, September 12, Fremantle’s Port Beach Brewery on Saturday, September 13, Brisbane’s The Triffid on Friday, September 19 and Gold Coast’s Miami Marketta on Saturday, September 20, with the tour wrapping up with a hometown show at Melbourne’s 170 Russell on Friday, October 3.
Tickets for all shows are on sale now via melbourneskaorchestra.com.
READ MORE: Aussie Musos Unite for John Lennon Tribute Tour ‘Give Peace a Chance’
Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s The Ballad of Monte Loco combines Western influences with reggae vibes across 13 feel-good tracks. Expect saxophone solos, dub beats, Latin piano, vintage vibes and more, with Bomba having this to say about the record, “This album was born in a time of uncertainty, but also one of reflection and fire. The Ballad of Monte Loco is our imagined Western world, where rhythm is resistance, and people rise together through music. It touches on revolution, false prophets, joy as rebellion, and the power of truth when it’s sung loud. We wanted it to feel like both a warning and a celebration.”
Coming together in 2003 when former John Butler Trio member Nicky Bomba and radio presenter Mohair Slim decided to start a band, it didn’t take long before Melbourne Ska Orchestra became the talk of the town, gaining a legion of fans thanks to their big band ska sound.
Currently consisting of 21 members (at one time there were 34 people!), Melbourne Ska Orchestra has released seven albums over the journey, winning two ARIA Awards for Best World Music Album in 2016 (Sierra Kilo Alpha) and 2019 (One Year of Ska).
The band prides itself on their live performances and is known for causing audiences to get down and dirty on the dance floor. Having wowed crowds across the globe from London to Tokyo to their home here in Australia, Melbourne Ska Orchestra are a sight to behold live and one band you don’t want to miss!
Catch Melbourne Ska Orchestra at The Gov on Friday, September 12. Tickets on sale now via Oztix. The Ballad of Monte Loco arrives June 27. Pre-save here.
Melbourne Ska Orchestra The Ballad of Monte Loco Australian Tour Dates 2025
Friday, August 1 – Liberty Hall, Sydney
Saturday, August 2 – UC Hub, Canberra
Saturday, August 9 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
Friday, August 29 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
Saturday, August 30 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Friday, September 5 – Altar Bar, Hobart
Friday, September 12 – The Gov, Adelaide
Saturday, September 13 – Port Beach Brewery, Fremantle
Friday, September 19 – The Triffid, Brisbane
Saturday, September 20 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Friday, October 3 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
