Coal mining inspires opening act of Durham Brass 2024

Critically-acclaimed artists Public Service Broadcasting are to perform their album 'Every Valley' at the World Heritage Site on the opening night of Durham Brass Festival 2024, and 40 years on from the miners' strikes that have grabbed the headlines in recent weeks.

This year's event, which we run, takes place from 5 to 13 July and, as ever, promises a week of spectacular performances, new commissions, free concerts, community activities, and a full programme of lively street bands.

Public Service Broadcasting will be joined by another band with a strong mining heritage. The NASUWT Riverside Band, from County Durham former mining village Pelton Fell have appeared at previous Durham Brass Festivals, collaborating with Richard Hawley in 2022 having been part of the internationally renowned 'Miners' Hymn' performances of 2010 and 2014.

Every Valley was Public Service Broadcasting's first Top 5 album in the UK and saw them joined by James Dean Bradfield, frontman of indie rock legends Manic Street Preachers.

Looking ahead to the performance at Brass, on Friday 5 July, founding group member J Willgoose Esq said: "We are hoping that playing with a brass band in somewhere as amazing as Durham Cathedral will be really powerful, it'll give it a power behind it we've never had before, and we can put it in front of an audience that it means something to."

The musician, whose last album debuted at number two in the UK album chart, added: "I've spent a lot of time in the North East because my Dad is from Fulwell in Sunderland. He moved to London in 1975 but my grandfather lived in Seaburn so we used to go up all the time and we'd go to Beamish a lot. I do wonder how much of an influence that had on wanting to do a record on coal mining. You never know what things are imprinting on your mind but it always feels very close to home even though it's a long way from South London. I certainly knew all about the Miners' Gala and the colliery bands and it always feels important to me to play in the North East."

"A very memorable night"

Tony Thompson, leader of the NASWUT Riverside Band, formed in 1875, said of the opportunity to play with Public Service Broadcasting: "I can't wait to work with them. I think it's so pertinent because it's 40 years since the miners' strike so it's the ideal time to reflect on that. There's so much about coal mining in the history of Durham and the Cathedral is absolutely unique. It's a very big acoustic but you can still hear the detail so it lends itself to music that can be quiet and reflective. I think it will be a very memorable night."

As well as Public Service Broadcasting, Welsh brass band competition veterans The Cory Band will also be appearing at this year's festival.

Ranked the world's number one brass band from 2007 to 2023 and multiple-time competition champions at world, European and British level, they will be performing a set inspired by the legendary film King Kong, at Gala Theatre on Sunday 7 July.

This year's Durham Brass Festival will also feature the return of the popular free outdoor events, Streets of Brass (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July) and Party in the Park (Saturday 6 July). These take place at Durham City and Wharton Park respectively.

Key part of our festivals and events programme

Durham Brass Festival is a key part of our festivals and events programme, which also includes the UK's light art biennial Lumiere and yearly food festivals at Seaham and Bishop Auckland.

This programme cements Durham's position as the 'Culture County' and reflects our commitment to culture-led regeneration. This commitment includes delivering key projects within the bid that saw Durham become the first county ever to be shortlisted for UK City of Culture; progressing major capital projects such as the new The Story visitor attraction, which will be home to the DLI Collection; and raising the county's profile as a fantastic place to live, work, visit and invest.

Promoting the county, its assets and opportunities to businesses, investors, visitors, developers and residents is one of five key areas that make up the vision of our County Durham Inclusive Economic Strategy.

County Durham is also poised to become regional lead for culture as part of the North East devolution deal. We have been given the interim portfolio of culture, creative, tourism and sport in the North East Combined Authority.

"Put smiles on faces"

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, our Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "We can't wait for Durham Brass Festival 2024. Public Service Broadcasting teaming up with The NASWUT Riverside Band to perform music inspired by coal mining in this, the 40^th anniversary of the strikes, promises to be an amazing night. We have always wanted to get Public Service Broadcasting to Brass and the fact they are performing in the stunning venue that is our World Heritage Durham Cathedral will only make it all the more special.

"We're also looking forward to seeing The Cory Band's fascinating take on King Kong and the return of Brass mainstays, Streets of Brass and Party in the Park, which, as ever, are free to attend.

"In the 'Culture County' we firmly believe in the power of events such as Brass to put smiles on faces while also boosting our economy. Last year 30,000 people came to Brass, spending money in local shops and businesses, and the ability of our events to stimulate this economic activity is a key reason why we deliver our festivals and events programme."