The Whitlams with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (2026)
Presenters
Craft Music and Concert Lab
Concert Lab Role
Executive Producers
on behalf of the band and orchestra
Featuring
The Whitlams band
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Guy Noble conductor
Date & Venue
Friday 6 March 2026
Saturday 7 March 2026 (matinee)
Saturday 7 March 2026 (evening)
QPAC, Brisbane
About the Performance
The Whitlams join Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) for three performances of their renowned symphonic collaboration. The Whitlams was the first Australian indie band to perform with Australia’s finest orchestras back in 2004, and the show has developed as new albums have been released.
This retrospective will see the QSO share centre stage, playing a wide palate of styles written by many of Australia’s finest composers. Tim Freedman’s friendship with the late Peter Sculthorpe is marked by two gorgeous arrangements, and full symphonic treatments have been provided by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Principal Conductor Benjamin Northey, Sean O’Boyle, and Nicholas Buc.
Classic compositions including “No Aphrodisiac” and “Blow Up the Pokies” will be joined by highlights of The Whitlams’ 2020s resurgence with songs from the two recent albums, Sancho (2022), and Americana influenced, Kookaburra (2024).









