Multi-award-winning and outright music icon Vera Blue needs no introduction. The superstar has been gathering fans all across the country (and globe!) for well over a decade, and now she’s teaming up with the clever folk at Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to deliver a very special one-night-only performance that will see her catalogue of tunes brought to life in a cinematic show for the ages. Taking place at Hamer Hall in Melbourne/Naarm on Saturday, July 11th, we caught up with the rad musician ahead of the performance to chat about what the magical night has in store for us.

Hi Vera! Tell us a bit about how this collaboration with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra came about. Hey Frankie! I’m so excited to share this one. I’ve been lucky enough to perform with the MSO before and that first experience absolutely blew me away. Last year they got in touch about collaborating again, and I basically jumped out of my seat! It felt like an opportunity to revisit the songs with a fresh perspective and to push them into bigger, more cinematic territory with the power of the MSO. This will be so different from the last with fresh arrangements and new songs, and I just cannot wait to share this with the fans.

How does hearing your songs reimagined by an orchestra change your relationship with them? It really deepens my relationship with them. Hearing the songs performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra adds this incredible emotional weight and beauty, and it makes me experience them again almost like a listener that is hearing them for the first time. I remember the first time I heard and felt the orchestra perform around me and I just got goosebumps immediately and tears in my eyes.

What has been the most surprising element of working alongside the MSO? I probably shouldn’t be surprised because they’re absolute professionals, but the level of musicianship still blows me away. The musicians can pick up a piece of music and play it almost perfectly first go, but with so much emotion and ease. Hearing my songs come to life in that setting is incredibly moving, it suddenly feels so big and cinematic, and I’m always a bit in awe of the talent in that room.

Performing in the grandiose setting of Hamer Hall, how do you balance the theatricality that is required in such a large space with the intimacy of bringing your audience along for the ride? It’s definitely a balance. Hamer Hall is such a grand, beautiful space, so the music naturally becomes more cinematic with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. But I think intimacy really comes from honesty – if I stay connected to the emotion of the song, the audience can come along for the ride and be invited into the world and story of the music no matter how big the room is.

In what ways do you work with conductor Leonard Weiss CF and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the lead up to the show to create this unique performance? It’s still early days, but the arrangements are already well underway, which is really exciting. I’m working with my bandmates Dave and Ross, along with the amazing Alex Turley, to reimagine the songs for orchestra. We’ll also be bringing some of the electronic elements of my own music and live show into the mix, which creates a really beautiful contrast with the orchestra while keeping the DNA of the project.

Leonard and I have connected over Instagram messages so far, but I’m really looking forward to working with him in rehearsals. A conductor is such an important part of shaping the performance, especially with an orchestra as incredible as the MSO. I’m honestly just in awe of them and can’t wait to hear the songs come to life in this new way. My hope is that the audience feels completely immersed in the show, with big dynamic moments, unexpected arrangements, and those goosebump-type moments that only an orchestra can create. I’m so excited to be blending the orchestral elements with the electronic sonics of my music.

What have you discovered about your own music through this reimagining of your songs? It’s made me realise how naturally theatrical my music actually is. Hearing the songs open up with strings and all these layers really amplifies the emotion in a way I didn’t fully expect.

I actually learnt violin from a young age, so I think that world has always shaped how I hear music, especially in the way I layer harmonies and build feeling in a song. It’s been really special hearing those instincts come full circle with an orchestra.

What has been your favourite part of bringing this incredible performance to life? Honestly, my favourite part has been bringing a lifelong dream to life – collaborating with an orchestra has always been something I’ve wanted to do. I’ve always been so inspired by orchestras, and just watching the performers do their thing is incredible. I desperately wanted to learn the harp when I was tiny, but growing up in a country town made that tricky for my parents, so I ended up on the violin – which I also loved. Because of that, I really adore watching the majestic harp and feeling the organic, raw beauty of the instruments. At the same time, blending my electronic edge with the orchestra has been so exciting, hearing the songs I wrote come alive in this dynamic, cinematic and emotional way – alongside musicians who bring such effortless talent and sensitivity – has been absolutely magical.

If you’re as excited to see Vera Blue perform live with the MSO as us, you can snag tickets this-a-way. This chat was produced in partnership with the lovely folk at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. For more chats with ripper musos, sign up to our newsletter.