Big Brass Barbeque

Feat. Melbourne Ska Orchestra

Sat 24 Jan 2026

Big Brass Barbeque

Kick off the January long weekend in style with HOTA’s Big Brass Barbeque - an upbeat and infectious live music experience at the Outdoor Stage.

Headlining the show is the 20-piece Melbourne Ska Orchestra - a fun-loving, big band experience conducted by Nicky Bomba. Add The Pokers and Heavy Wax to the line up plus DJ sets from Tyron Noonan and you’ve got the ingredients for the ultimate Summer Ska Session!

Suitable for the whole family, these brilliant bands will have you dancing the afternoon away with soulful horns, swinging funk and a walking bassline. Dine on food truck fare and BBQ, with drinks available from the fully licensed bar.

This event will be hosted in Chill Out Mode.

Dates

Sat 24 Jan 2026

Where

Outdoor Stage

Ages

All Ages

Duration

3pm: Gates / Bar / Food
Tyrone Noonan (DJ)
4.15pm: Heavy Wax (75mins)
5.30pm: Tyrone Noonan (DJ)
6pm: The Porkers (75mins)
7.15pm: Tyrone Noonan (DJ)
7.45pm: Melbourne Ska Orchestra (75mins)
9pm: Event Conclude

Tickets

Adult: $59
Concession: $49
Child: $19
Family (2A+2C): $120

A $4 transaction fee will apply for e ticket delivery purchases (excluding free events + donations).For Hold at Box Office ticket delivery purchases, a $6 fee will apply.Please view full Terms and Conditions prior to purchasing your tickets.

Times

Sat 24 January - 3:00pm

#Artist Bios

Melb Ska Orchestra

Formed in 2003 Melbourne Ska Orchestra is an orchestra with a difference. Comprising up to 26 members this juggernaut contains some of Australia’s finest musicians and performers. Helmed by the energetic and charismatic Nicky Bomba (John Butler Trio, Bomba, Bustamento) Melbourne Ska Orchestra are more than just a band, they are an experience to behold.

The band’s debut self-titled release resulted in sell-out national shows, multiple major festival appearances, three international tours, and many awards and nominations. Their sophomore release Sierra-Kilo-Alpha, secured that band its first ARIA award in 2016. Never shying from a challenge the band set a high bar by undertaking the mammoth mission to release a song every week – for an entire year. The resulting 52 songs compiled into a four-album box set, One Year Of Ska earned the band a second ARIA award in 2019.

Heavy Wax

Gold Coast’s 8-piece funk and soul powerhouse HEAVY WAX has earned their place as one of the region’s most exciting live acts. Known for their punchy horn-driven grooves and infectious energy, the band’s performances channel the golden age of 70s funk while embracing the modern edge of neo-soul.

Since their formation in 2020, HEAVY WAX has become a must-see live act, gracing main stages at festivals like Blues on Broadbeach, Caloundra Music Festival, and HOTA Roots Festival. High-energy shows and tight musicianship have also landed them support slots for legends like Resin Dogs and Skunkhour, while their loyal fanbase continues to grow with every performance.

Their live sound, anchored by a slick rhythm section, bold three-piece horn section and soulful vocals defines the band’s identity. Whether headlining tours or lighting up festival crowds, HEAVY WAX delivers groove-driven sets that keep audiences dancing and craving more.

The Porkers

Things were brewing in the late 80's in 3 key areas of the world, Newcastle Australia, Boston, and Orange County USA. It was the sound of ska-punk, a fusion of high energy punk rock with the syncopated beats of Jamaica, and The Porkers were there leading the charge alongside the likes of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, No Doubt, and many others. Starting in 1987 in a lounge room in Bar Beach, The Porkers released their debut single in 1990, 'Earthquakin', which climbed to almost the top of the Aussie indie charts and was then followed by their debut album 'Grunt!' in 1994. It was hailed as "a masterpiece of ska brilliance", but it was a lot more than that: it was skanking rhythms mixed with punchy punk choruses, some funk and reggae, some Aussie pub rock and a distinctive Novocastrian sense of humour. Keeping a 7 piece band on the road is a hard job, and founding members, Pete 'Radley' Cooper, and Phil 'Bigfil' Barnard know it all too well, and after the release of their 4th studio album 'This Is The Porkers', and the DVD 'Persistence is Futile' in 2007 they took a well earned hiatus. But then in 2014, at the request of eccentric promoter A.J. Maddah, The Porkers returned bigger than ever to open the main stage on the Soundwave Festival, warming it up for The Living End, Placebo, Rob Zombie, and Green Day. Soon they were invited back to the USA as special guests of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at their annual 'Hometown Throwdown' in Boston, followed by a month long tour through sleet and snow over Xmas and New Year 2016-17, with the boys kicking off their 30th year in New York City! 2018 saw a slight hiccup with front man Pete suffering a stroke and having to undergo heart surgery, but you would never know, he was back on stage in a matter of weeks and firing on all cylinders.

Tyrone Noonan

With a career spanning over two decades, DJ Tyrone (aka Tyrone Noonan) has been a dynamic force in Brisbane’s music scene since the 1990s. His DJ journey began after a formative stint in Europe, where he developed a passion for Trip Hop, Jungle and Nu jazz. Upon returning to Australia, he channeled this influence into writing weekly music columns for iconic street press outlets Time Off and Scene, while also launching seminal club nights including The Lift, Tribal, and Frontal Lobe—defining events in Fortitude Valley’s evolving nightlife culture. As a DJ, Tyrone is celebrated for his deep musical knowledge and crowd-reading intuition, consistently energising dance floors across a wide spectrum of events—from underground clubs and major festivals to weddings, private parties, and corporate functions. Over the years, he has held residencies at landmark venues including Honky Tonk’s, Ric’s Bar, Press Club, Alhambra Lounge, Swingin’ Safari, Prince Consort Hotel, Can You Keep A Secret, It’s Still A Secret and Archive Beer Boutique, and has performed at festivals such as Livid, Vibes On A Summer’s Day and Brisbane Festival. Beyond the decks, Tyrone is also an ARIA Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling artist, recognised nationally for his work as a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Whether he's DJing, performing on stage, composing soundtracks, or producing in the studio, Tyrone brings a rare versatility and creative passion that sets him apart.