An inventive approach to attract a new brass band audience is being pioneered by the Golborne Band in the North West over the next few weeks.

Glastonbury

Under the baton of conductor Paul Andrews, the band has teamed up with a local garden centre to help promote both business and pleasure with what is being termed ‘a brass band version of Glastonbury’.

Paul told 4BR: "We want to bring in new ideas, to attract people who've not been to a brass concert before and have probably got the wrong idea of what it's all about."

Pushing boundaries

And as Paul revealed, that will mean music as diverse as Michael Buble and Queen to Coldplay and even Elvis at his rhinestone encrusted jump suit best – all in a big field with plenty of room for people to enjoy themselves – and even get dancing along!

"We're pushing forward the boundaries of the brass band and we think the audiences will enjoy it as pure entertainment,” he said. “The band love playing this stuff too."

Field work

Tod Bulmer, owner of Kenyon Hall Farm, where the outdoor concert will take place in September, added: "Our theme here is local produce for local people, so we're happy to provide a platform — well a field actually — for local music!

Golborne will be playing some terrific music and we'll be selling locally-produced produce, beef burgers and local home brews. It’s our version of Glastonbury — so we want as many people to come along and enjoy themselves!"

Well known

Paul’s innovative concert approach is well known in banding circles, and his latest venture has also caught the interest of former television Nick Peake, who directed ‘Champion Brass’ programme, and ‘Brass Beat’ with Roy Castle for the BBC.

Speaking directly to 4BR, Nick, who has become a vice-president of the band said: "Golborne is my local band — and I've wanted to get involved with a band with a sense of adventure and innovation at grass roots level for some time. So agreeing to join up with them was the perfect fit."

We're pushing forward the boundaries of the brass band and we think the audiences will enjoy it as pure entertainmentMD, Paul Andrews

Great entertainment

He added: "Paul is doing a fantastic job and the imagination to link up with a local business in this way as a beneficial joint promotion is a truly innovative approach.

I’m sure it will provide great entertainment as well as a great opportunity to connect with a new audience."