Wellington Ukulele Orchestra Make Their Aussie Debut

Wildly popular New Zealand music-comedy act The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is crossing the Tasman for the first time this month to play at Sydney and Melbourne.

Featuring up to a dozen ukuleles anchored by a double bass, the band plays anything from Dean Martin to Dolly Parton, Crowded House to Kings of Leon, The Beatles to The Bats, as well as their original tunes.

One of the hottest, funniest and sauciest live shows on the NZ scene, it's easy to forget they're actually doing it all with ukuleles. Heavenly harmonies and stunning solos intertwine with hilarious budget lighting effects and questionable banter and antics.

The members of WIUO include jazz maestro Daniel Yeabsley (Twinset, Fat Freddy's Drop), pop chart-topper Stephen Jessup (Holidaymakers, Windy City Strugglers), art-rocker Bek Coogan (Cortina) and multi-instrumentalist Nigel Collins (the sole member of the Flight of the Conchords' symphony orchestra).

Surprise special guests often pop up to join in the orchestra, and booking early is definitely recommended.

The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra will play at Sydney's Oxford Art Factory on Friday February 25 (tickets available at moshtix.com.au), and at Melbourne's Northcote Social Club on Monday February 28 as part of the Melbourne Ukulele Festival.

Tickets for the Melbourne show are available at northcotesocialclub.com for $22+bf. Guests include Lauren LaRouge, Dusty Day, Jim D'Ville, and Sophisticated Hulas.