Grimethorpe continues to make a huge impression on their Australian Tour — with the influential Sydney Morning Herald newspaper calling their concert in Canberra, 'a night of grand music and great spirit'.

The band departed Sydney after the obligatory photo-shoot in front of the incredible backdrop of the famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge before moving on to Canberra and Newcastle.

Showcase display

The Australian capital saw over 900 fans (in a city not renowned for its brass banding) make their way to the impressive Llewellyn Hall at the Australian National University to see the band in action under Prof Robert Childs (above).

It was another showcase display — rounded off with two encores and the now obligatory Aussie demands for yet more!

From Llewellyn Hall it was on to a brief stop at the in-house microbrewery (which the players thoroughly enjoyed!) before an early start for the six hour journey from Canberra to the next engagement in Newcastle — a city with proud brass band history to its name.

Dramatic turn

The day may have got off to a scenic start, with plenty of kangaroo and wallaby spotting along the route, but things soon took a dramatic turn as Tour Manager Craig Roberts told 4BR:

"We were crossing a roundabout at Cardiff (New South Wales not South Wales!) when the locking mechanism on the coach trailer containing instruments snapped open, sending two of them hurtling into the bush.

We were all oblivious to the potential disaster, but thanks to the kindness of the locals, calamity was averted.

One vehicle pulled the coach over to explain the situation, while another sped down the motorway to the next junction, to come back down and retrieve the stray cornet and trombone that had spilled out!"

Hospitable Aussies

Craig added: "A third vehicle pulled over, immediately assisting with repairs and within minutes we were back on the road. It really showed us how hospitable Australians are. The only damage to the instruments and cases was minor."

Meanwhile, Newcastle proved to be yet another triumph for the Brass in Concert champion, with a near capacity audience packed into the town hall.

We were all oblivious to the potential disaster, but thanks to the kindness of the locals, calamity was avertedTour Manager, Craig Roberts

Special night

Craig added: "It was a special night — with musical parallels drawn by Dr Childs between his home in South Wales and this new musical home in New South Wales.

It was really appreciated by a delighted audience — so it came as no surprise that the encores were demanded once again — especially after brilliant solo performances from Iain Culross, Kevin Crockford, Will Norman, Shaun Crowther, Chris Gomersall, Michael Dodd & Phillipe Schwartz."

The band now carries on it tour to Melbourne.