A popular festival celebrating all things brass has announced its line-up as it makes a milestone return in 2026 for its 20th anniversary.
Durham Brass Festival, organised by Durham County Council and with funding from Arts Council England, will be returning to the region from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 July and promises a week of spectacular performances.
Supported by Durham-based the Banks Group, the festival will launch with a bang on Sunday, with ELVANA performing with Oompah Brass XXL at Durham Gala Theatre.
Blending rockabilly with grunge, ELVANA will tear through Nirvana’s catalogue combining it with the finest moments of Elvis Presley’s legacy while being supported by original rock ‘n’ roll Oompah band Oompah Brass XXL to bring a whole new sound to Durham Brass Festival.
On Friday 17 July, visitors will be wowed with a performance from Brass & Pipes with Howard Beaumont, which is returning for an exciting evening celebrating the thrilling sounds of a brass band and theatre organ.
The performance will feature music from movies, musicals and much more as legendary organist Howard Beaumont takes to the Wurlitzer at New Victoria Centre in Howden-le-Wear alongside the acclaimed Stanhope Silver Band.
On the same day, Hector Gannet promises to impress audiences with a special performance of Talking In The Mother Tongue at Redhills, aka The Pitman’s Parliament, with Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band.
On Saturday 18 July, Brassed On will take over Gala Durham with local artists Dilettante, multi-instrumentalist Francesca Pidgeon, and Isabel Maria, who pairs contagious melodies and piano-driven production with personal lyricism.
Plus, Vice Killer, a four-piece indie band from Peterlee will also perform at the theatre on Saturday, creating exciting and fresh new music, unique to the festival.
Bringing their incredible skills to Durham Cathedral on Saturday, EverReady Band will be performing their new work Myth, Magic & More, featuring iconic music from Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian and Star Wars. The band are highly decorated, having won the North of England Brass Band Championships a record 36 times.
Finally, Grimethorpe Colliery Band will be performing on Sunday 19 July at Gala Durham to close off the festival. Finding worldwide fame following the hit film Brassed Off, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, they are regarded as one of Britain’s finest brass bands, so audiences will not be disappointed.
There will also be free concerts, community activities and a full week of lively street bands when the festival returns, culminating in the ever-popular Streets of Brass weekend and Party in the Park, with further details to be announced soon.
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “Durham Brass Festival will return with a bang this year, and celebrating its 20th anniversary no less. Audiences can expect a whole new sound from ELVANA while returning performances from Brass & Pipes with Howard Beaumont promise something for festival veterans, plus so much more.
“We hope that people are looking forward to this year’s event as much as we are and we look forward to seeing residents there as we celebrate 20 years of Durham Brass Festival.”
