Durham Brass Festival has come to a close after a packed programme of events across the county.
Run by Durham County Council, the festival filled communities and venues across County Durham with music this week as brass bands performed in locations throughout the area.
Celebrating 20 years of Durham Brass Festival, the packed programme played to the tune of all music tastes, with unique collaborations, lively street bands and traditional brass for audiences to enjoy.Â
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said:
“What a week we have had celebrating the 20th anniversary of Durham Brass Festival.
“From modern to traditional brass, bands of all shapes and sizes have wowed crowds with their musical talent. It’s been fantastic to see audiences of all ages engaging with brass music, which has such a strong connection to our county’s heritage.”
The festival kicked off in style when visitors in Durham City were treated to a pop-up performance in the marketplace, led by Italian street band Girlesque.
A favourite of the street bands programme, the all-female ensemble gathered the crowds, giving audiences a snippet of the Big and Little Brass bashes that were to come to communities throughout the week.
The Brass Bashes built a crescendo to the weekend, where the historic streets of Durham came to life with the iconic Streets of Brass and Party in the Park. Bands also took to the water, with the return of the festival’s boat cruises.
Other highlights of the festival included opening act ELVANA, a Nirvana-Elvis tribute band, who played their eclectic set at Gala Durham alongside rock n roll brass band Oompah Brass XXL.
Another collaboration saw North East band Hector Gannet play songs from their new album in the setting of Redhills Miners Hall, accompanied the Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band.
Meanwhile, Brassed On returned for its third year, shining the spotlight on a trio of emerging artists by pairing their performances with brass ensembles.
True to its roots, the festival celebrated the county’s brass heritage with concerts from renowned brass bands, including the world-famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band; Stanhope Silver Band; and the EverReady Band, who played a magical set of movie scores inside Durham Cathedral.
And communities in Easington, Pelton and Bishop Auckland came together for tea dances, accompanied by the Tyne Valley Big Band and blues band The Revolutionaires.
Audiences young and old also got to experience the sounds of brass, as, throughout the week, street bands delivered lively performances in a tour of the county’s schools and care homes.
Cllr Allison added:
“As the curtain closes on another successful year, I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the bands, whose performances have made this an unforgettable festival.”
To find out more about Durham Brass Festival visit www.brassfestival.co.uk
