Everyone has heard of the Rock Orchestra but have you actually experienced it? This show really is something not to be missed. There are eleven talented classical musicians playing well-known rock songs with dramatic background graphics, amazing lighting and some enviable costumes, especially for the female singers. It is the little details that take your breath away such as during Sweet Child of Mine when there is a skull with a wreath of roses on the back screen and then you notice twirling rose shaped lights projected onto the ceiling, it just wraps you in the song, much more than just that amazing music would do.
Rock music really suits classical instruments although some of the well known guitar riffs coming from a violin has you scanning the stage in confusion at first. Everyone plays into their part and beautiful flute music coming from a big man with a beard and black rock style clothes and a sparkly, but black, mask is another trip away from reality into the awesomeness of the rock orchestra. Later he plays the saxophone too, faultless on both instruments. There are three vocalists who take turns at being the lead singer or as backing singers for each other. They play their roles with stunning dresses and fabulous swirling capes, such as in Dream on by Aerosmith, which Hayley McKnight introduces as being from her favourite band.
Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters has a backdrop of a beautiful ballerina in a black dress dancing against pure white snow, or white waves. The graphics are always captivating and Gothic, involving a lot of skulls, churches, skeletons in top hats, roses and the occasional galloping horse.
So much effort has been put into every aspect of the production of this show, the candles are all over the front of the stage, including on top of a giant skull at each side. Sometimes there are candles included in the pictures behind the orchestra as well, furthering the experience.
Towards the end we are encouraged to sing and clap along and it is a joy to join in with Nirvana and Thunderstruck. The Rock Orchestra is not just a concert, it really is an amazing experience not to be missed, and luckily they tend to tour the country regularly.
Current tour runs until 24 April 2026 | Image: Maria Robertson
