In life, only death and taxation are certainties. If you live in Greater Manchester, particularly in the Rochdale, Oldham or Tameside boroughs, there is another one to the list. That Milnrow Band would always deliver a concert which is high on entertainment value and remarkably different to any of their previous ones.
Stalybridge Old Band are the World’s Oldest Brass Band. They have performed in the Peterloo Massacre, survived local government reorganisations, Thatcherism, and Michael Gove’s tenure as Education Secretary. From 1814 onwards, the band played on: even Adolf couldn’t stop the ‘Bridge Old Band from performing.
Continue reading “Stalybridge Old Band: Your Band Needs You!”Unless you have lived in Saddleworth, Oldham or Tameside for more than a decade, you may be at a loss as to where is Lydgate. Just to add to the confusion, there are three Lydgates within the West Riding of Yorkshire. One on the outskirts of Halifax, another one near Todmorden, and the one we know and love off the A669 (or the 180/184 bus routes). Which is also best known for the disused railway tunnel between Lees and Greenfield.
Continue reading “Lydgate Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club”
It has been a while since Delph Band had darkened the doorstep of the Boarshurst Band Club. Nearly two years ago since their last concert. Between the 02 September 2018 and the 02 October 2016, Delph Youth and Training Band have made a couple appearances. Was it worth the wait? Judging by the audience reaction, it was. Owing to Phil Goodwin’s involvement in Black Dyke Band’s concert in Mirfield, his understudy Jonathan Davies stepped in.
Continue reading “Delph Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (September 2018)”
No traditional seaside holiday is complete without two things: a good fish and chip supper, or a decent summer show. A summer show with comedians, speciality acts, magicians, and singers. With a similar amount of variety to the listener was Huddersfield and Ripponden Brass Band’s programme. There was a neat variety of brass band marches, hymns, popular music, and film music. If you counted the raffle, last night’s speciality act and comedian.
Continue reading “Huddersfield and Ripponden Brass Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club”
In recorded music, particularly 45 RPM singles, the ‘B’ side is a source of curiosity to the listener. Some people (thanks to cinema and educational streaming) think of ‘B’ as inferior. Or the middle carriage of a Greenfield train. In music there are some exceptions. The Model, a double ‘A’ side is better known than Computer Love, the ‘A’ side of Kraftwerk’s UK Number One single from 1982. In brass banding, the ‘B’ bands can surpass the senior bands in their virtuosity and technique.
Continue reading “Pemberton Old ‘B’ Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club”
The first Sunday in July has established itself in the brass banding calendar for two important dates. One of them is the Brighouse Hymn and March Contest won by Milnrow Band this year. Elland Silver Youth Band made a clean sweep in the youth prizes, and Wardle Academy Band picked up this year’s deportment prize.
Continue reading “Music from the Big Screen: Boarshurst Silver Band’s Blockbusting Summer Concert”
In conditions more akin to barbecues than indoor brass band concerts, Blackley Band gave us all a wonderful concert last night. There was a vibrant mix of favourites, a bit of cheese, and a few unique compositions. In last night’s programme was the rarest of beasts: a quiet Paul Lovatt-Cooper composition.
Continue reading “Blackley Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club”
The halfway point of what is one of the UK’s hottest months was marked with weather more akin to an early March. As usual, the warmest of receptions this Sunday was reserved for another brass band at The Mecca of Brass Banding. This time with Flixton Band – the highest ranking brass band within Trafford MBC boundaries. Throughout the best part of two hours and twenty minutes, they proved their worth in a highly entertaining concert.
Continue reading “Flixton Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (June 2018)”
