The Whitlams first performed with an orchestra in 2004, and over the ensuing 20 years their symphonic show has grown and developed as the band have written and released new albums.

Now this quintessential Sydney band reunite with the Sydney Symphony for two unforgettable performances at the State Theatre.

Iconic songs like ‘No Aphrodisiac’ and ‘Blow Up the Pokies’ and highlights of the band’s 2020s resurgence – including recent albums Sancho (2022) and the Americana-influenced Kookaburra (2024) – have been given full symphonic treatments by some of Australia’s leading contemporary composers including Peter Sculthorpe, Benjamin Northey, Sean O'Boyle, Iain Grandage, Daniel Denholm, Jamie Messenger and Nicholas Buc.

‘Once every seven or eight years we get to perform in the middle of the beautiful storm of a symphony orchestra,’ says Tim Freedman. ‘This year it's The Whitlams, the Sydney Symphony and the State Theatre – how much more Sydney can you get?’