Industry News

One of the region’s liveliest music festivals is bringing the party to the streets once again this summer and everyone is invited.

Streets of Brass will return to Durham City on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July as part of Durham Brass Festival, a highlight of Durham County Council’s festival and events programme.

Across one unforgettable weekend, residents and visitors to the city’s historic streets will be able to enjoy free live music during the day from some of the world’s greatest street bands, all eager to join the festival’s 20^th anniversary celebrations.

But the fun doesn’t stop there; the Brass Boat Cruises are also back for 2026, taking the sounds of brass to the River Wear on the Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for the cruises go on sale on Friday 24 April, and music lovers are encouraged to book their spaces to avoid missing out.

And as day turns to dusk, Party in the Park will ensure the brassy beats go on, with a free concert at Wharton Park’s amphitheatre from 5pm to 9pm on Saturday 18 July featuring a must-see line-up of street bands.

Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “Brass music is such an important part of the county’s heritage, providing a soundtrack to some of the most joyful and poignant moments in people’s lives and creating a sense of camaraderie and belonging among generations of musicians.

“Streets of Brass builds on this tradition but brings it right up to date, with a superb line-up of street bands performing the very best of 21^st century brass music in a variety of genres.

“It’s all about bringing people together, while also delivering a welcome economic boost to local businesses, which will benefit from the increased footfall.

“Party in the Park is just one of the free open air concerts taking place as part of the festival this year. We will soon be announcing the details of our popular Brass Bash events, which will once again be returning to parks across the county. Watch this space!”

The street bands attending this year are:

• Diddy Sweg. Warping through disco, Drum and Bass, Garage and beyond; Diddy Sweg invites audiences to join them on a surreal interstellar journey filled with infectious beats, alien invasions and a party atmosphere.
• Loud Noises. Loud Noises bridges the gap between contemporary brass music and high-octane dance hall-based improvisation.
• Mr Wilson’s Second Liners. New Orleans meets 90s club classics, these mischievous northerners channel the spirit of 24-hour party people and get audiences dancing wherever they play.
• Yorky Pud Street Band. Take a heaping of jazz, a dash of oom-pah, stir in some mash-ups, and give it a New York subway busking flair. This is the recipe for Yorky Pud Street Band; the ‘graviest’ band around.
• Girlesque. As the first and only all-female Italian street band, Girlesque fuse together the sound and movement typical of marching bands, with a wink towards burlesque.
• Back Chat Brass. Rooted in pop, funk and hip hop, Back Chat Brass’ brassy beats give soul to any party and lift the roof at any gig.
• Artistas del Gremio. This high energy band are famed for their musicality, interactive performances, humour and miniskirts! Capable of transforming any location into a stage, they always draw in the crowds.
• Brazen Brass Band. Featuring some of the UK’s finest female brass and percussion players, Brazen Brass Band hopes to inspire girls everywhere to pick up an instrument and play.
• Oompah Brass. Specialising in rock and pop classics, Oompah Brass continue to blow audiences away all over the world, with their trademark high-energy versions of songs by Taylor Swift, ABBA, Led Zeppelin, A-Ha, Guns N' Roses, Dolly Parton, and Britney Spears, to name just a few.
• She’s Got Brass. This London-based all-female brass band bring bold, jazzy energy wherever they perform. Their sound combines hip-hop, house, UK Garage, and brass band tradition with a nostalgic edge, alongside original music.

Will Lenton, of Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, said: “We love coming up to Durham for the festival; catching up with old friends in the audiences and the other bands, and enjoying great music all week. 

“We’ve been lucky enough to perform all across the UK and Europe, and I can honestly say, there is nothing like this festival anywhere else. The audiences, the festival team, the bands, the atmosphere, the city, the music.

“I think 2026 will be our seventh Durham Brass Festival and I want to say from everyone in the Mr Wilson’s family, thank you so much!”

The Brass Boat Cruises will include a performance from a different street band and will depart from Elvet Bridge Boat House at the following times on Saturday 18 July: 10.30am (Diddy Sweg); 12pm (Oompah Brass); 13.30pm (Loud Noises); and 3pm (Girlesque). And on Sunday 19 July at: 10.30am (Mr Wilson’s Second Liners); 12pm (She’s Got Brass); 1.30pm (Back Chat Brass); and 3pm (Artistas del Gremio).

Tickets go on sale on Friday 24 June priced at £12 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for children under 16. Children under four go free.

Book tickets and to view the full Durham Brass Festival programme.