Bold as Brass

Celebrate the association between brass bands and coal mining with our annual marching band and entertainment contest, showcasing the very best of traditional and modern brass music, in partnership with Brass Bands England, that highlights the best in modern banding.

Each band, drawn from the best bands across the North England, will perform a 6 minute march across the museum site and a 20-minute set at Hope Pit. The judges will assess them on the quality of their music and uniquely on how entertaining they are.

• Brass bands performing live
• Competitions include: ‘Most Entertaining Band’, ‘Best Solo’, ‘Best Musical Performance’, ‘Most Entertaining’ and ‘People’s Choice’

Settle in for a whole day of performances, discover new bands and enjoy the emotion, talent, and passion that define the brass band tradition. Remember to grab your camping chairs and picnic blankets if you wish to be seated.

Interested in competing this year? Full contest details, including rules, registration links, and prize information, can be found on Brass Bands England’s Bold as Brass event page