BRASS re-workings of a British indie band’s biggest hits will get their world premiere in the North-East when an annual music festival returns to the region this summer.
Brass: Durham International Festival will run from July 11 to 20, with music, art and street performances across County Durham, centred around the 130th Durham Miners’ Gala on Saturday, July 12.
The full programme is yet to be announced but organisers have revealed that indie rockers British Sea Power will premiere their Sea of Brass show at the Gala Theatre during the event.
The Sussex-based six-piece are working with music arranger Peter Wraight on a 70-minute version of their critically acclaimed album From The Sea To The Land Beyond featuring a 26-piece brass band.
The Durham gig will kick off a national tour including a date at the Barbican in London and could lead to a new album and film.
British Sea Power will be joined by a different brass band for each concert. In Durham, they will be accompanied by the NASUWT Riverside Band.
Speaking in Durham today (Tuesday, April 8), frontman Scott Wilkinson, whose father Ronald lives in Seaburn, Sunderland, said: “I’m excited.
“It’s got a chance to be a really spectacular thing. It’s a mix of us, what Peter’s (Wraight) doing and what brass bands naturally do.
“We’re trying to do something that sounds modern.”
The festival, which is organised by Durham County Council, will also feature the world premiere of John Kefala Kerr’s multimedia opera Steamsong, trumpeter Jon Faddis, The BBC Big Band, The Stars from The Commitments and the world renowned Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band.
Last year’s festival saw more than 2,000 people attend shows at the Gala, 3,000 attend events around the county and 20,000 children take part in an educational programme.
The British Sea Power gig is on Thursday, July 17, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15, or £13 if bought before Wednesday, April 30.
To book, visit the Gala box office, call 03000-266-600 or go online to galadurham.co.uk For more details on the festival, visit brassfestival.co.uk
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