A tired but exhilarated Unite the Union Band has returned home to Sheffield after receiving a wonderful reception following their performances at the Bochumer Musiksommer 2018 in Germany.

The massive festival, now in its 12th year, is held in Sheffield's twin town, Bochum in North Rhine Westfalia, and sees over 160,000 visitors to the city enjoy performances from over 1000 performers who appear on several stages over three days.

Special invitation

The band received a special invitation to perform at the event by Bochum Lord Mayor, Oberburgermeister Eiskirch and Bochum Council, and was featured in two prime time slots over the weekend.

A video message of 'Good Luck', specially recorded by Len McClusky, General Secretary of Unite the Union and sent to the band, acknowledged the fantastic support the trade union and the people of Sheffield give as the band flew the musical flag for the steel city.

Appreciated

Opening the first evening concert of the band, Oberburgermeister Eiskirch said: "After a long time, the twin cities have returned: Nordhausen with a concert choir and Oberburgermeister Kai Buchmann, Sheffield with the Unite the Union Brass Band to show that we all want to revive the town twinning."

The band's performances were enthusiastically appreciated, with the capacity audience swaying, clapping and dancing to the sounds of the repertoire featuring music from its own famous film, artists and writers including Human League and Tony Christie, who himself lived for a time in the outskirts of Bochum.

Pre-recorded narration spoken in German and used by the band linked their whole set together as they finished with an arrangement of 'Oktoberfest' and festival standard 'Rock Mi' — a popular chart hit for German/Austrian group Voxxclub.

The chorus of 'Zugabe!', 'Zugabe!' ('More!', 'More!') from the thrilled audience echoed around the square and told us just how much everyone had enjoyed themselvesUnite the Union

Zugabe!, Zugabe!

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "The chorus of 'Zugabe!', 'Zugabe!' ('More!', 'More!') from the thrilled audience echoed around the square and told us just how much everyone had enjoyed themselves.

We were swamped by enthusiastic and animated congratulations from a waiting Oberburgermeister Eiskirch, town councillors, marketing organisers and members of the public, many of whom returned to see the band perform again on Sunday. It hoped that the band will return to perform again at Bochumer Musiksommer next year.