Australian ska band starts conga on Edinburgh tram

More than a dozen musicians entertained festival goers when they formed a conga on Edinburgh trams.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Aug 2016, 16:29 BST
Updated 9th Aug 2016, 17:33 BST

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Musicians from the Melbourne Ska Orchestra joined up with Fringe visitors to form a ska conga on Edinburgh trams. Picture: Colin HattersleyMusicians from the Melbourne Ska Orchestra joined up with Fringe visitors to form a ska conga on Edinburgh trams. Picture: Colin Hattersley
Musicians from the Melbourne Ska Orchestra joined up with Fringe visitors to form a ska conga on Edinburgh trams. Picture: Colin Hattersley

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra struck up for an impromptu concert for commuters and visitors while they waited for a tram at York Place.

The band, which includes Kilmarnock singer Steven Montgomery (who is performing in Scotland for the first time after leaving Australia 20 years ago), are performing at the Fringe to promote their latest album Sierra-Kilo- Alpha.

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Lead singer Nicky Bomba said: “We are just loving it here in Edinburgh – what a great vibe. The Scottish sense of humour and the Aussie one is very similar so we are having a fantastic time.

Musicians from the Melbourne Ska Orchestra entertained festival goers and commuters at York Place. Picture: Colin HattersleyMusicians from the Melbourne Ska Orchestra entertained festival goers and commuters at York Place. Picture: Colin Hattersley
Musicians from the Melbourne Ska Orchestra entertained festival goers and commuters at York Place. Picture: Colin Hattersley

“Getting out on the trams and on the streets is an amazing experience and loads of fun.

“People just love getting involved and dancing whenever we start to play. It looks like being the most fantastic week.”

The band nearly missed their preview show on Monday at the Gilded Balloon when their flight from London was delayed by five hours.

They arrived with two minutes to spare after a dash across Edinburgh to get to the venue.

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra have a show at the Edinburgh Fringe. Picture: Colin HattersleyThe Melbourne Ska Orchestra have a show at the Edinburgh Fringe. Picture: Colin Hattersley
The Melbourne Ska Orchestra have a show at the Edinburgh Fringe. Picture: Colin Hattersley

Bomba said: “That was quite a rush – forget about rehearsal time, we didn’t even have time to get changed, it was just up there and play. But it was brilliant, the audience were fantastic.”

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Related topics:EdinburghPeopleScotlandKilmarnock