Twelve of the North East’s top brass bands will be trumpeting their way to South Tyneside from this weekend.
Starting on Sunday (June 7), brass bands from across the region will be performing weekly at the open-air amphitheatre, South Shields as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015.
The programme, which forms part of the festival’s wider three month line up, will be opened by Westoe Brass Band, who recently reached the 1st Section finals in the 2015 National Brass Band Championships.
They will be followed by Sunderland Monkwearmouth Salvation Army Band (June 14), NE Concert Band (June 21), Durham Constabulary Band (June 28) and S.T. Senior Brass (July 5), with all concerts running from 2pm until 4pm.
For the rest of July, the brass band concerts will begin slightly later to coincide with the festival’s other key events, including high profile performances at nearby Bents Park featuring stars such as 5ive, Billy Ocean, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Feeling, as well as North East stars Joe McElderry, Collabro and Lola Saunders.
This will affect appearances by People’s Mission Silver Band (July 12), Bear Park & Esh Colliery Band (July 19), Craghead Colliery Band (July 26) and Bright Street Band (August 2), who will all take to the stage from 3.30pm until 5.30pm.
The brass band programme closes in August, with live performances by Dunston Silver Band (August 9), Cockerton Prize Silver Band (August 16), Westoe Brass Band (August 23) and Riverside Concert Band (August 30), which will all take place from 2pm until 4pm.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “By the time the South Tyneside Festival is finished at the end of August visitors will have had the opportunity to see 12 outstanding brass bands from across the North East performing live and we’re delighted to be showcasing these acts for free.”
For more information and full listings for the South Tyneside Festival 2015, which also includes an Alice in Wonderland parade, Kids Fun Fest Parties and monthly craft markets, go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk search for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, follow STynesideEvents on Twitter or call the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.