Red and Blue: Manchester is a city split by colour divides - although to its great credit it always holds ‘one of its own’ close to its collective heart.

That was certainly shown in the appreciation of the Fairey Band under Garry Cutt (resplendent in their traditional light blue uniforms) after providing a fine concert deserving to have been enjoyed by a much larger audience.  

Professionalism

It also said a great deal about the professionalism instilled in the current Stockport band that the lack of numbers did not dampen their enthusiasm as they walked onto the stage to be met by a sea of empty seats - their engaging easy listening programme delivered with a steely discipline from first note till last.

Bold

The band’s signature march 'The Beaufighters' was bold and precise, whilst 'For the Love of a Princess' from the film 'Braveheart' featured some delightful flugel playing from Mike Eccles.

Rebecca Lundberg’s wonderfully languid phrasing in Adrian Drover's new arrangement of 'You Needed Me' was a display of subtle musicality appreciated by an audience that was quickly being drawn into the quality of playing on show, and which was added to by a tasteful touch of swagger in, R B Hall's 'The New Colonial' march and the contrasting tenderness of Kenneth Downie's 'In Perfect Peace'.

Super form

Principal cornet, Paul Hughes was in super form on 'The Paragon', played with expert judgment of pace and style, before 'I'll Walk with God' certainly lifted the spirits - as did Peter Graham’s 'Phoenix' from 'War of the Worlds' and his popular Irish infused suite, 'Gaelforce'.

'Marche Slav' rounded off a traditional brass band programme played with a sheen of high class polish by a band on very confident form.  

Those who missed it, missed a treat. 

Malcolm Wood