There are few higher honours for a musician than teaming up with a local symphony orchestra and performing at a beautiful venue.

For Mo’Ju, that achievement occurred in 2023, when they performed at Hamer Hall with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The concert featured reimagined arrangements of Mo’Ju’s most powerful and beloved works, including the landmark single, Native Tongue.

Two years after experiencing the milestone, a live album is on the way. Mo’Ju with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (Double J Live At The Wireless) will be released on Friday, 26 September, via ABC Music. You can watch the performance of Native Tongue below and pre-order/pre-save the album here.

Mo’Ju’s performance at Hamer Hall featured arrangements from composer Jamie Messenger, which were brought to life by conductor Nicholas Buc and the stunningly talented MSO.

Songs fans knew and loved transformed into breathtaking, lush and cinematic renditions. The concert followed the release of Mo’Ju’s album, Oro, Plata, Mata, and continued their exploration of truth-telling and cultural legacy through music.

Mo’Ju said of the experience, “After 20-odd years of touring, it starts becoming rare to have new experiences in that space, but I had never really done anything like this.

“Hearing your music arranged and performed by an orchestra is a very emotional thing. I don’t think I’d even dared to dream of something like it. It seemed unlikely for someone like me. So, to not only have done this, but to have committed it to record… working with such incredibly talented people, I’m very proud of it, but I’m also humbled by it.”

This October, Mo’Ju will perform shows across the country, paired only with a piano. The tour will span 13 years of their career – four albums and two EPs and many favourites along the way – while Mo’Ju will be accompanied by pianist, friend and long-time collaborator Lewis Coleman. You can find tickets to the shows here.

MO’JU

AUSTRALIAN SHOWS 2025

THURSDAY 2 OCTOBER | WERNER BRODBECK HALL, MELBOURNE VIC*
FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER | ST ANDREW’S UNITING CHURCH, BRISBANE QLD*
SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER | ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH, SYDNEY NSW*
FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER | THE PIER, ULVERSTONE TAS**
SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER | DU CANE BREWING, LAUNCESTON TAS**
SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER | LONGLEY HOTEL, HOBART TAS**
FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER | OZASIA FESTIVAL, ADELAIDE SA

*PRESENTED BY MERGE
**PRESENTED BY PITCH