The sights and sounds of live music are poised to bring joy to County Durham as one of the region’s favourite events returns next week.
The annual Durham Brass Festival returns to the city – and the county’s towns and villages – this Sunday 13 July, promising a feast of song and dance at all manner of venues over the course of eight days until Sunday 20 July.
The Durham County Council event – supported by Arts Council England – will see performances on the streets of Durham, at parks, inside historic and cultural venues, in care homes and schools – and even on boats.
Highlights of this year’s festival include former The Coral star Bill Ryder-Jones performing his album “lechyd Da” with the NASUWT Riverside Band, and BBC veteran Stuart Maconie presenting Radio 4’s Loose Ends programme from the newly refurbished Pitman’s Parliament at Redhills. The Fairey Band will play the festival’s traditional brass slot on Sunday afternoon before demonstrating the versatility of the genre with a set of brassed up house anthems at Acid Brass, supported by DJs and street bands including long-time festival favourites Mr Wilson’s Second Liners. This year’s Brassed On showcase features performances from rising stars Liz Corney, Faithful Johannes & Neocia and Amateur Ornithologist, in partnership with BBC Music Introducing and NARC magazine.
Cllr Lyndsey Fox, the council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are just days away from Durham Brass Festival 2025 now and we genuinely can’t wait.
“Whether it’s Bill Ryder-Jones with The NASUWT Riverside Band at Gala; a trip on a boat along the River Wear through Durham City with musical accompaniment, or a performance by one of our street bands in a local park – Brass really does have something for people of all ages and backgrounds.
“We are looking forward to welcoming people from both near and far, and to them enjoying the entertainment in some of the amazing locations that our county boasts – with lots that is free of charge.
“What’s great is that by attending, people are giving our local businesses a helping hand by increasing footfall, and that this in turn supports economic growth.”
The line-up in full is as follows:
Sunday 13 July
BATH Tea Dance featuring Tyne Valley Big Band – Bishop Auckland Town Hall (minimum age 14). SOLD OUT.
Monday 14 to Friday 18 July
Brass Bashes take place in outdoor venues across the county, an opportunity to see amazing street bands entertain the crowds. FREE ENTRY.
Monday 14 July
The Futureheads’ front man Barry Hyde performing his forthcoming album Miners’ Ballads with Durham Miners Association Brass Band – Redhills Durham Miners Hall. SOLD OUT.
Tuesday 15 July
Bill Ryder-Jones (formerly of The Coral) and The NASUWT Riverside Band performing his album Iechyd Da, supported by Pet Snake – Gala Durham. TICKETED EVENT.
Wednesday 16 July
Durham Brass Festival hosts Radio 4 Loose Ends presented by Stuart Maconie and featuring Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Girl on the Train author Paula Hawkins, and comedian Ria Lina – Redhills Durham Miners Hall. TICKETED EVENT.
Friday 18 July
Durham Brass Festival hosts BBC Radio 4 The Adverb Featuring Simon Armitage and LYR performing Firm As A Rock with Easington Colliery Band – Redhills Durham Miners Hall. SOLD OUT.
Saturday 19 July
Party In The Park, featuring the festival’s street bands: Always Drinking Marching Band, Brazen Band, Das Brass, Diddy Sweg, John Birks Orchestra, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners: New York Brass Band, Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, Yorky Pud Street Band and Young Pilgrims – Wharton Park, Durham. FREE ENTRY.
Saturday 19 July
Brassed On featuring Faithful Johannes, Amateur Ornithologist and Liz Corney – Gala Durham. TICKETED EVENT.
Saturday 19 July
NETOA Wurlitzer and Stanhope Silver Band: Brass & Pipes – New Victoria Centre, Howden-le-Wear. SOLD OUT.
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July
Streets of Brass – Durham, featuring the festival’s street bands: Always Drinking Marching Band, Brazen Band, Das Brass, Diddy Sweg, John Birks Orchestra, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners: New York Brass Band, Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, Yorky Pud Street Band and Young Pilgrims. FREE ENTRY.
Brass Boat Cruises – River Wear, Durham. TICKETED EVENTS.
Sunday 20 July
The Fairey Band present Pictures at an Exhibition – Gala Durham. TICKETED EVENT.
Sunday 20 July
The Fairey Band present Acid Brass – Gala Durham. TICKETED EVENT.
To find out more, and for tickets where appropriate, visit www.brassfestival.co.uk
