*
banner

The Besses gift to the world

From the Stone Roses and Bee Gees to Besses o' th' Barn — the Manchester musical gift to the world according to the BBC...

Besses
 

There has been a continued renaissance in both the contesting and media fortunes of Besses o' th' Barn Band recently.

In addition to their victory at the Buxton Contest, the band even gained a name check on BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show, who called them 'one of the great musical gifts to the world'.

Manchester feature

It came during a feature on the government's plans to make Manchester one of the 'powers of the north' — and why the city was according to presenter Alison Butterworth was a great place to live and work.

Alison reeled off the list of musical 'greats' — which included the Stone Roses; the Hollies; the Bee Gees; the Smiths and Besses o' th' Barn Band4BR

Musical greats

Alison reeled off the list of musical 'greats'- which included the Stone Roses; the Hollies; the Bee Gees; the Smiths and Besses o' th' Barn Band.

Not bad company to keep in anyone's book.

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    


Elgar Festival

Elgar Festival offers packed day of elite performers

June 7 • If you are anywhere near Birmingham today then why not enjoy a packed day of elite level brass band performers.


Carlton Main

Results: 2026 French Open Championships

June 7 • Carlton Main Frickley leads the prize winners in Amboise at the 30th French Open Championship


Kingdom Brass

Result: 2026 Clans vs Counties

June 6 • Kingdom Brass becomes the first cross border title holder at a brand new entertainment contest in Northumberland.


Andrew McMillan

Interview with Andrew McMillan

June 6 • In the first of a new short interview series, we speak to the Scottish tenor horn star Andrew McMillan following the release of his inventive new CD, 'Time Pieces'


Fulham Brass Band - Summer Concert

Friday 5 June • St Dionis Church, Parsons Green SW6 4UH


Yorkshire Imperial - Roger Webster & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir

Saturday 6 June • St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JT


Ascot Brass - Vanguard Quartet from "Royal Harmonics"

Saturday 6 June • St Michael and All Angels Church St Michaels Green, Grenfell Road Beaconsfield HP9 2BP


Sherborne Town Band - Friends

Sunday 7 June • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Regent Hall Concerts - Take 5 Brass Quintet

Friday 12 June • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Crewe Brass

June 5 • Crewe Brass are looking for PERCUSSION PLAYERS (TUNED and KIT) to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Glossop Old Band

June 5 • Our friendly second section band are looking for a BB bass player to join us for contests, concerts and exciting new projects. Glossop Old Band is situated between Manchester and Sheffield and rich in history


Dodworth Colliery MW Brass Band

June 4 • BACK ROW CORNET 2nd/3rd cornet. . NEMBBA contest entered for 15 November. LBBA contest entered for 22 November. . Concert schedule planned in advance. Planned breaks .


Prof. Christopher Houlding

MMus, GGSM, LRAM
Conductor, Performer, Educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd