*
banner

What about this for a great gig?

Forget playing at the Royal Albert or Symphony Hall — Burnham & Highbridge Band has been sharing the same stage as Adele, Muse, Coldplay and ELO...

Glastonbury
 

Many of the world's most famous brass bands may well be looking forward to playing on the high-profile stages of the Royal Albert or Symphony Hall in the next couple of months, but you can bet your bottom dollar, they will all have been green-eyed with envy at the recent gig the Burnham & Highbridge Band has undertaken.

Adele and ELO

Under the baton of MD Stephen Sykes, the non-contesting band from north-Somerset has just performed on the iconic Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival under — the same stage that this year hosted the likes of Adele, Muse, Coldplay and ELO.

The band was invited by Festival organiser Michael Eavis to open the proceedings on the final day, and they made sure they woke-up any bleary-eyed music lovers with a cracking set that included the march 'Goldcrest' and 'Light as Air' through to 'Ticket to Ride' and 'The Hustle', as well as their concluding item, 'Music' by John Miles.

Pick-me-up

The audience certainly enjoyed their early morning 'pick-me-up' especially as they could even enjoy the music beamed through the huge screens above the stage (above).

No wonder MD, Stephen Sykes was delighted with the response, as he told 4BR: "It was a fantastic experience — every bit as good as playing at the Albert Hall or Symphony Hall.

The band was superb and delivered a great programme that really made an impact with the audience. Our thanks got to Michael Eavis for the invite — and we hope to make a return appearance."

The audience certainly enjoyed their early morning 'pick-me-up' especially as they could even enjoy the music beamed through the huge screens above the stage4BR

Return booking

And with the audience demanding an even quicker return — with plenty of shouts for encore and plenty of great feedback, Burnham & Highbridge Band could very well be back sharing the stage with some of the biggest music acts in the world — especially as it was later revealed that Michael Eavis had commented that Burnham was his favourite place in Somerset for being 'laidback and unspoilt' — the perfect appreciation of a brass band performance for Glastonbury 2017 and beyond...

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    


Lawson

Lawson treasures Shepherd award

October 7 • Cory principal cornet player Kyle Lawson has spoken of his pride in being the first recipient of the James Shepherd Memorial Award at this year's National Final.


Thornton

Albert Hall awards for Thornton and Raisbeck

October 7 • Dr David Thornton and Ian Raisbeck were presented with their Iles and Mortimer Medals on stage at the National Final.


4br

4BR Royal Albert Hall podcast

October 7 • Join Iwan and Chris as they look back at how the 2026 National Championship title was won and lost at the Royal Albert Hall.


Menai Bridge

Green credentials rewarded for Menai Bridge

October 7 • Menai Bridge Band Porthaethwy has won Making Music's 'Green Award'.


Regent Hall Concerts - Parlour Brass

Friday 9 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Chiswick Jazz Orchestra

Friday 9 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Regent Brass

Saturday 10 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Hathersage Band - Hathersage Village Autumn Concert

Saturday 10 October • Hathersage Methodist Church, Main Road, Hathersage S32 1BB


Garforth Brass - Annual Chairman's Charity Concert

Saturday 10 October • Miners Welfare Hall. 56 Main Street. Garforth . Leeds. LS25 1AA LS25 1AA


Epping Forest Band

October 8 • Euphonium and solo horn wanted to join our friendly sociable 2nd section band. Based in Essex with close links to the M11 and the underground central line. Instrument's provided of required


Bedford Town Band

October 8 • Bedford Town Band are looking to recruit a Solo trombone and Repiano cornet . We are playing at the Wychavon Contest in a few weeks and are looking to be in the frame at the 1st Section Regionals . Rehearsals Thursday 7.45 at Castle Newnham School.


Pilling Jubilee Silver Band

October 7 • Pilling Band (ambitious 3rd Section Band North West) are seeking a few final players to complete their team under new MD Mark Vause. We are looking for 2 good front row cornet players, baritone, Eb/Bb bass and tuned percussion.


Ian Holmes

BA (hons), PGDip (RCM), ARCM, ALCM
Conductor, piano accompanist and educator


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd