For the first time in their 40+ year career, iconic Australian rock band Hoodoo Gurus will perform with the full symphonic power of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) in a one-night-only concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Thursday 29 January 2026.
This landmark event sees the Gurus’ classic catalogue — from What’s My Scene and Like Wow – Wipeout! to 1000 Miles Away — reimagined on an epic scale, with orchestral arrangements bringing fresh energy and grandeur to the band’s much-loved hits.
“I can’t believe this is actually happening,” says Dave Faulkner, the Gurus’ lead singer and songwriter. “I have been a lifelong fan of classical music and a regular opera goer, so this is the fulfilment of a dream for me.”
Faulkner will be joined by bassist Rick Grossman, drummer Nik Reith and guitarist Brad Shepherd, with the MSO conducted by Nicholas Buc.
The unforgettable trip down memory lane includes 20 unique orchestral arrangements by Australian composer Alex Turley who has taken a few “deep dives” into the band’s back catalogue, shedding new light on some old favourites as well as uncovering some overlooked treasures. Turley’s arrangements featured in Hoodoo Gurus’ performance with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra in March 2024.
“Together with Alex, we’ve chosen a very diverse set of songs that I think will both surprise and delight listeners. If I had to use one word to describe the results I think “cinematic” comes closest. The Gurus and the MSO will be taking listeners on quite a journey, and I can’t wait. It’s going to be a very special night indeed,” says Faulkner.
Whether you’re an 80s tragic, a Gurus superfan or an Oz Rock aficionado, Hoodoo Gurus X MSO will deliver an unforgettable evening of hit songs and hidden gems matched by the awesome power of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as they join forces in dramatic harmony for the Guru’s MSO debut.
Since their formation in 1981, Hoodoo Gurus have delivered nine ARIA Top 20 albums, nine ARIA Top 40 singles and a host of multi-platinum albums. Mainstays on the live scene, and perpetually influential to a new generation of artists that have arrived after them, the group was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007 and celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2021.
Hoodoo Gurus’ evocative and relatable lyricism, peerless song writing, with a hint of punk attitude placed in a distinctively Australian context, have provided a careful balance of critical success and enduring mainstream appeal for more than four decades.
Through their chart-topping successes throughout the ’80s and ’90s, their international triumphs and countless sold-out local tours, from their 1998-2003 break-up through to their comeback … and now vital as ever, Hoodoo Gurus have been – and remain – one of the most popular and successful musical acts Australia has ever produced.
Event details: Symphonic Gurus: Hoodoo Gurus x MSO
Date: Thursday 29 January, 8pm, gates open 6pm
Venue: Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Tickets: On sale 10am Friday 24 October – $119 stalls / $89 lawn
Visit: mso.com.au