Durham Brass Festival has announced a unique showcase event which will see some of the region’s brightest new talent team up with professional brass players to give their music a whole new dimension.
Featuring Darlington’s Luke Royalty and Middlesbrough’s Sisi, Brassed On is set to take place on Friday 14 July at Durham Town Hall, the venue of festival organisers Durham County Council. The two rising stars will perform their biggest tunes but not like they’ve ever been heard before. Two renowned brass outfits – The Original Pinettes Brass Band and Loud Noises – will work with the artists to produce brand-new brass arrangements, taking their live show to new heights with punchy trumpets, bass-heavy sousaphone and powerful trombones.
Luke Royalty is one of the hottest artists from the North East. Since the release of his acclaimed debut EP, ‘my blue room’, Luke’s music has made a big impression on the UK’s leading musical tastemakers with the likes of NME, Clash Magazine, Far Out Magazine, The Independent and The Line Of Best Fit championing the young artist.
Heartfelt, honest and always catchy, Luke’s music is inspired by the likes of Mac Miller, Amy Winehouse and Bill Withers. His jazz-inflected sound will be married with the high-octane sound of Loud Noises, a band that bridges the gap between contemporary brass music and high-octane dancehall-inspired improvisation.
The party-starting four-piece – hailing from Leeds – is known for blurring the line between band and audience to create one of the most interactive and engaging live shows on the live music scene.
Meanwhile, Teesside native Sisi will team up with the all-female brass outfit, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, who will be travelling all the way from New Orleans to perform at this year’s festival.
Despite being at the very beginning of her career, the 18-year-old artist has already earned backing from the likes of BBC Radio 1, Youth Music and PRS, and last summer saw her perform her biggest show yet at Reading & Leeds Festival.
Known for bringing together far-reaching genres, from Afropop to Garage, it’s no surprise that Sisi brought home Song Academy’s prestigious ‘Young Songwriter of the Year’ in 2022.
Sisi’s sound, which incorporates soulful vocals, contemporary production and afropop beats, will be the perfect match for the powerful and infectious New Orleans Jazz that The Pinettes are universally adored for.
Formed in 1991, the band have made a huge name for themselves in their home city and further afield, challenging the stereotypes attached to the male-dominated world of brass bands. Their status as one of the best street bands in the country was consolidated a decade ago at the highly competitive Brass Band Blowout contest which saw the award change name from ‘Street Kings’ to ‘Street Queens’ as The Pinettes snatched first place.
Soho Radio residents and vinyl connoisseurs, Noble & Heath will be spinning an expert selection of rare soul, funk & disco throughout the event.
The Brassed On showcase commissioned by Durham Brass Festival has been spearheaded by the festival’s Jennie Brewis. A musician, songwriter and cultural producer best-known as one of the co-founding members of North East pop folk favourites The Cornshed Sisters. Jennie describes the concert as her “dream gig”
“The event will be an amazing new showcase of two fantastic young artists who have collaborated with brass players on their music for the event,” said Jennie.
“Sisi has been creating music for a short time but her sound is incredibly mature and sophisticated. We have teamed her up with The Original Pinettes from New Orleans. This is the first time The Pinettes are playing at Durham BRASS and it’s a real privilege to work alongside them and Sisi. What a match!
She added:
“Luke will be collaborating with Loud Noises of Leeds. We knew that Luke’s Music was right up their street and they were excited to be arranging brass for him. We can hear elements of The Specials, The Streets, Elvis Costello and his music was just ready to have brass incorporated.
“Adding to our fantastic lineup is DJ’s Noble and Heath, I am so genuinely excited about seeing all of these artists on one bill. It really is a dream gig. Not to be missed.”
Alison Clark, Durham County Council’s head of culture, sport and tourism, said:
“Durham Brass Festival is about bringing together talented musicians both locally and from across the globe to celebrate the boundaries that can be pushed and experiences that can be created through music.
“Celebrating the talent we have in the region is part our ambition to make County Durham the culture county, and Luke and Sisi are two young North East artists who are going from strength to strength in the music world. We are delighted to be hosting them with Loud Noises and The Original Pinettes, in what is sure to be an excellent night.”
The festival, organised by Durham County Council, is a mainstay in County Durham’s event calendar with people of all ages and backgrounds taking to the streets and filling up venues across the city to celebrate the sound and history of brass music.
BRASSED ON will take place at Durham Town Hall on Friday 14 July. Doors open at 7pm and the show will start at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are £10 / £8 (conc) and are available via: https://brassfestival.co.uk
