*
banner

Take 5
Best Concerts of 2018

Five of the best concerts we got to hear in 2018...

Yellow

It’s not just the concert stage that that bands excelled on during 2018.

Here are five concerts that made the biggest impression on our reviewers throughout the year.


Cory

Cory Band
2018 RNCM Brass Band Festival
Conductor: Philip Harper
Soloist: Tom Hutchinson
RNCM Manchester
Sunday 28th January


The annual RNCM Brass Band Festival remains the most important showcase for brass band repertoire in the world – and this concert given by the world’s number 1 ranked ensemble emphasized that more than anything else.

Artistic Director Paul Hindmarsh asks a great deal of the performers in delivering major works that cover the past, present and future of brass band composition – and that understanding was distilled to its very essence with Cory’s programme.
 
Works by Derek Bourgeois (with a stunning rendition of his ‘Cornet Concerto’ by Tom Hutchinson), Christopher Bond and Philip Harper surrounded the world premiere of ‘Rain, Steam, Speed’ by John Pickard.   

Artistic Director Paul Hindmarsh asks a great deal of the performers in delivering major works that cover the past, present and future of brass band composition – and that understanding was distilled to its very essence with Cory’s programme.

Inspired by the metaphorical response of the artist J.M.W Turner to the relentless, ever-quickening speed of the industrial revolution as seen through the prism a steam train literally haring down a track, the ambiguities of the laws of physics and nature made for a totally engrossing listening experience.  

Read the review: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con2139.asp


Tubular

Tubular Brass
Conductor: Sandy Smith
Featuring: Hannah Peel (synthesizers)
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Saturday 14th April

Tubular Brass hasn’t quite yet fully engaged with hardcore Mike Oldfield fans and aficionados, but it’s getting there.

It was always going to be more difficult to achieve than the fun-filled excess of ‘Acid Brass’ - as the intricacies and difficulties of bringing to the stage an arrangement of one of the most iconic albums of the 1970s seemed an almost impossible task. 

This concert was given right in the heart of the capital - and as a result attracted a cosmopolitan audience, obviously keen, as well as a bit sceptical, about what they were to hear.

Sandy Smith and the team have given it one heck of a go though. 

This concert was given right in the heart of the capital - and as a result attracted a cosmopolitan audience, obviously keen, as well as a bit sceptical, about what they were to hear.  

They left impressed as well as entertained - especially as the encore was the hipster’s perennial favourite of choice, ‘Life on Mars’ by David Bowie.    

Read the review: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con2153.asp


Chanel

Manger Musikklag
Nr 5 - A Story about Coco Chanel
Conductor: Allan Withington
Featuring: Open Window Theatre & Langhaugen Danselinje
Fana Kulturhus
Bergen
Saturday 26th May


Allan Withington’s remarkable production - ambitiously weaving together the complexities and contradictions of the life of the enigmatic fashion designer Coco Chanel and distilled into musical scent as intoxicating as her most famous perfume, gained richly deserved critical acclaim.

Bringing together a brass band, dance ensemble and a brace of lugubriously masked puppeteers as Swiss bankers was inventive enough in terms of presentation.

However, it was the way in which an ultimately tragic tale of isolated passion was told with acerbic wit balanced by heart wrenching pathos and relevant immediacy that grabbed you by the throat from start to finish.

However, it was the way in which an ultimately tragic tale of isolated passion was told with acerbic wit balanced by heart wrenching pathos and relevant immediacy that grabbed you by the throat from start to finish.

Read the review: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con2163.asp


Footscray

The Silent Anzac
Footscray-Yarraville City Band
Conductor: Phillipa Edwards
Featuring: Jamie Lawson; William McInnes; Margaret Haggart, Danielle Matthews & Joe Stanley
Australia House
London
Sunday 11th November


There have been many moving and memorable concerts given throughout the banding world in 2018 to mark the end of the First World War and the sacrifice given by so many in lands far from their home.

This one was particularly poignant and personal – starting with the discovery of an old bass drum in the bandroom of Footscray-Yaraville City Band.

This one was particularly poignant and personal – starting with the discovery of an old bass drum in the bandroom of Footscray-Yaraville City Band.

As vividly pertinent and powerful in 2018 in its message of loss and hope as it was a century ago - it formed part of a much larger tour of remembrance and commemoration undertaken by the band - one that spanned the globe.

Read the review: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/con2217.asp


Ford

Brass in Concert Gala Concert
Foden's Band
Conductor: Michael Fowles
Featuring: Matt Ford & Mike Lovatt
Sage Gateshead 
Saturday 17th November

At a time when brass bands are finding it increasingly difficult to attract new audiences, Foden’s musical links to Big Band singer Matt Ford as well as the renowned trumpeter Mike Lovatt have been a remarkable success.

This concert, traditionally promoted as a showcase aperitif to the Brass in Concert contest also saw a brave change in emphasis by the organisers too - deliberately trying to engage with a new musical audience that has little particular interest in hearing brass bands in competition mode.

More like this and the audience will grow and grow to everyone’s benefit.

It wasn’t packed out – but those who did attend enjoyed an invigorating occasion - superbly presented and performed. 

More like this and the audience will grow and grow to everyone’s benefit.

Read the review: https://www.4barsrest.com/reviews/concerts/2223.asp

Support us for less than a cup of coffee...

4BR wants to ensure that the brass band movement remains vibrant and relevant. We also want to be able to question, challenge and critically examine those who run and play in it, producing high quality journalism that informs as well as entertains our readers.

So if like us you value a strong, independent perspective on the brass band world - then why not consider becoming a supporter and help make our future and that of a burgeoning brass band movement more secure.

So one less cappuccino then?

Support us    



Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Hathersage Band

July 2 • FRONT ROW CORNET (position negotiable). Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving, non-contesting community band. We enjoy our music making and have a good gig schedule. Are you the right person to join our happy band?


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Principal Cornet. . Would you like to be a part of the process to lead & shape the future of the band? Newport Borough Brass Band are looking for a dynamic Principal Cornet player to lead the team.


Stephen Tighe

ARCM, LDBBA, (Dip)PFS.
Adjudicator / Music Director / Arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd