From local pubs to the Royal Albert Hall

YouTube: Ukulele Orchestra on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny; Standing ovation in Liverpool

Meet the staff

The ukulele - an instrument that was used to sound-track; grass skirts, surfboards and cleaning windows in northern England to earn an honest bob. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain spoke to JMU Journalism about changing those connotations.

“If you would have told me that I would be paying my mortgage with a ukulele by 2005,” says Peter Brooke-Turner of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, “then that would have just been ridiculous.” The Ukulele Orchestra have gone from playing to locals in a Welsh pub to performing at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. Tonight they are playing to a sold out Liverpool Philharmonic Hall but won’t forget for a second playing “out in the boonies".

They played to farmers in Cumbria but locals had to be turned away after fans turned up from miles around to see them play, something they have never quite understood. “It sounds rubbish; the title of the band just sounds rubbish. It’s like if you were to hear the Panpipes Orchestra of Petersham - who would go and see that?” Peter said.

Despite their lack of faith in their name, the Ukulele Orchestra have been selling out theatres around the world for some time.

The pace quickened after they appeared on Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny where they performed Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit to a surprised audience. Millions of YouTube hits later and a few glowing references from David Bowie, the Ukulele Orchestra have dates booked in the Sydney Opera House and New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

The infectiously light-hearted nature of their shows also appears in their approach to touring, or ‘life’ as they have come to call it. “In 1995 we did a tour of Japan, and then in ten years we didn’t go back. In one year we only did a gig in a Welsh pub and then went back to Japan, then we went to America for a one off show. It’s a very odd thing, there’s no planning... it just happens,” said Will Grove-White, the youngest member of the band.

The eight-piece performed with the Kaiser Chiefs during the BBC’s Electric Proms last year and recall showing front man Ricky Wilson the delights of the ukulele. "He went and bought a ukulele and we taught him the ‘ooby dooby’ one from the Jungle Book,” said Will.

As a result of their New Year's Eve performance on Jools Holland being spread about on the internet, ukulele orchestras started to appear all around the world.

“In the old days, you looked around for other people playing the ukulele and you couldn’t find any, so it was kind of fate that we found each other. In fact, we received an email that the Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra will be here this evening,” laughed Peter.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is set to appear on Channel Four’s Skins in the new year, another sign they are a group of musicians for all generations.

Shorthand Sue

Website team

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain website >>

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall >>

Ticketmaster >>

Buy a ukulele >>

Learn ukulele chords >>

Contact us | Disclaimer |