*
banner

Fairlop take Barca head on

Fairlop Brass has just returned from a fantastic mini tour to the great Catalan city of Barcelona...

Barcelona
 

Fairlop Brass has recently returned from a very successful six day tour to Barcelona.

Festival

Originally conceived to celebrate the band’s 45th anniversary, the band headed to the Catalan capital with supporters to enjoy a memorable trip, which included plenty of sightseeing and two concerts, the first of which was part of the prestigious Barcelona ‘Music in the Park’ festival.

Spanish flavour

The concert at the wonderful Parc Ciutadella saw over 700 people sat in the warm sunshine to enjoy the band on excellent form playing music with a certain Spanish flavour to it with ‘Aranjuez Mon Amour’, the Catalan ‘National Song’ (which produced spontaneous from the crowd) and the march played as the Barcelona football team walk onto the pitch! The set ended with ‘Barcelona’ and the encore, ‘Amparito Roca’.

The journey back to the hotel on the coach highlighted how successful the evening had been with the sort of atmosphere that makes all the hard work worthwhileFairlop Brass

Successful

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "The journey back to the hotel on the coach highlighted how successful the evening had been with the sort of atmosphere that makes all the hard work worthwhile."

A few days later Fairlop performed at the coastal resort of Sitges for a local music festival, where on a humid night they performed at the El Retiro Gardens set in the middle of surrounding blocks of flats!

However, as soon they started to play the audience arrived on mass and soon thoroughly enjoyed the music making.

Sightseeing

Around the two concerts the group enjoyed several organised trips to the main highlights of Barcelona such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, as well as a trip to Montserrat and free time to explore the wonderful city.

As their spokesperson added: "It was six fantastic memory filled days."

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


appg

Brass bands regain Parliamentary voice

June 27 • The setting up of a new All Party Parliamentary Group for Brass Banding gives brass bands a specific voice of support in Westminster.


Alan Duguid

Interview with Alan Duguid

June 26 • 4BR talks to conductor Alan Duguid about the inspirations behind his band's latest contemporary concert featuring works by Malcolm Arnold, David Bedford, Judith Bingham, Freddie Myers, Richard Rodney Bennett, Edmund Rubbra and Raymond Yiu.


Alan Jenkins

Alan Jenkins funeral details announced

June 25 • The funeral details for the highly respected musician and journalist Alan Jenkins have been announced.


Gray and Waespi

Gray and Waespi to lead joint masterclass approach in Bern

June 25 • A four-day conducting and composing masterclass led by Russell Gray and Oliver Waespi will take place in Bern later this year.


Barnsley Brass - Black Dyke Band

Thursday 25 June • St Mary's Church. Church Street. Barnsley S70 2AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Junior Guildhall Brass Band

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - The Royal Sackbut Collective

Friday 26 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band - Mossley Band

Sunday 28 June • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Regent Hall Concerts - Central Band of the RAF

Thursday 2 July • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Chinnor Silver

June 27 • We are looking for Bb BASS & PERCUSSION players to join our friendly ambitious 1st Section band.. We rehearse on Wednesdays in our own bandroom . We have a good and varied diary of concerts, contests and a trip aboard planned for 2027


East London Brass

June 26 • Percussionist: ELB is looking for a talented percussionist to join our existing section. We’re an ambitious band with an exciting programme and plenty to look forward to in the second half of the year.


Lostock Hall Brass Band

June 23 • Could you be the kit player to make our percussion team complete? . We would love to hear from you.. with National Finals in September and promotion to the North West 1st Section from January 2027 there is so much to look forward too .


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd