Industry News

Schoolchildren dancing to Dolly Parton; Futureheads frontman Barry Hyde performing melodies for miners in their spiritual home; and brass on board a river cruiser.

Durham Brass Festival 2025 really had it all.

The Durham County Council event, supported by Arts Council England, has drawn to a close after eight days of joyous live music in all manner of settings, right across the county.

Cllr Lyndsey Fox, the council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “What a week it has been. Whether it was one of the amazing collaborations between high profile artistes and traditional brass ensembles at Gala Durham and Redhills; our amazing street bands bringing the party to schools and communities across the county; or traditional brass bands performing in care homes – I think it’s fair to say Durham Brass Festival had something for everyone.

“It’s been brilliant to see thousands of people coming out for both the ticketed events and the free performances we’ve laid on to make Brass as accessible as we can.

“By coming out they have genuinely helped our economy by spending money in local businesses, and we’d really like to thank everyone for their support.”

The festival saw performances on the streets of Durham, in parks, inside historic and cultural venues, in care homes and schools - and even on a boat.

The BBC legend that is Stuart Maconie presented Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ programme from the newly refurbished Redhills Durham Miners Hall, with special guests including Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. Simon and his band LYR then returned to the venue for another captivating performance of ‘Firm As A Rock We Stand’ for BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Adverb,’ this time with the Easington Colliery Band.

Other high-profile collaborations included former The Coral star Bill Ryder-Jones playing his album ‘Iechyd Da’ with the NASUWT Riverside Band and wowing the crowd at Gala Durham; while Futureheads frontman, Barry Hyde, gave a poignant performance of

‘Miners’ Ballads’ with Durham Miners Association Brass Band, in the ‘Pitman’s Parliament’ at Redhills.

The festival’s street bands came from far and wide to the streets of Durham and the city’s Wharton Park on the closing weekend, performing at Streets of Brass and Party in the Park respectively. They also entertained at parks and venues in towns and villages across County Durham, at no less than ten Brass Bashes. All these performances were free of charge, in keeping with Durham’s standing as The Culture County and the council’s desire to bring events like Brass to the widest possible audiences.

The same bands performed for more than 15,000 schoolchildren at some 64 schools, workshops were delivered in Special Educational Needs settings and traditional bands played at 20 care homes; all as part of the festival’s community programme, generously supported by the Banks Group.

The street bands were also part of the festival’s boat cruises, performing for guests enjoying the sights of Durham from the Prince Bishop on the River Wear. The bands came together in the Market Place to perform a special rendition of the Pet Shop Boys track ‘Suburbia’ to end this year’s Streets Of Brass.

The festival also worked with BBC Introducing to support emerging talent, with the ‘Brassed On’ showcase at Gala Durham another success.

Durham Brass Festival is part of Durham County Council’s festival and events programme, which aims to deliver unforgettable experiences for residents, while supporting the growth of the county’s £1.38 billion visitor economy.