*
banner

Looking for Christmas Concert inspiration — why not try The Pogues?

A classic festive song from The Pogues leads the PRS Charts as the most popular played on the radio in the last five years. So why not try a brass band version...?

tHE poGUES
  Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl led the faireytale in New York

If you are looking for some inspiration on how to fill up the spaces in Christmas Concert programmes this year, then a recent poll of the most played Christmas Songs heard on UK radio between 2012 and 2016 has been revealed by the Performing Rights Society for Music.

Shane MacGowen

The ranking includes both original and cover versions of each song — so if you want to add a few bob into the pocket of Shane MacGowan or boost the finances of Mariah Carey or the brilliant Roy Wood of Wizzard then there are some great ones to choose from — although as the list does come the PRS, make sure your arrangements are pukka.

if you want to add a few bob into the pocket of Shane MacGowan or boost the finances of Mariah Carey or the brilliant Roy Wood of Wizzard then there are some great ones to choose from4BR

Top 10:

1. Fairytale of New York (The Pogues)
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey)
3. Last Christmas (Wham!)
4. Do They Know It's Christmas (Band Aid)
5. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day (Wizzard)
6. Driving Home For Christmas (Chris Rea)
7. Stay Another Day (East 17)
8. Merry Xmas Everybody (Slade)
9. Merry Christmas Everyone (Shakin' Stevens)
10. Wonderful Christmastime (Paul McCartney)

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


NYGGB

National Youth Band opportunities

May 8 • The National Youth Band of Great Britain is looking to appoint new trustees and a librarian to help strengthen the organisation's heritage and future.


Albert Hall

Albert Hall tickets now on sale

May 8 • Tickets for the 2026 Championship Section National Final at the Royal Albert Hall are now on sale.


Band Supplies

Summer deals to grab at Band Supplies

May 8 • There are plenty of great deals to grab at Band Supplies on ex-demo and second hand instruments.


Emergency

BBE to host emergency planning webinar

May 8 • Make sure you have plans in place to protest valuable musical and memorabilia assets if potential disaster strikes.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Woodbridge Excelsior Band

Saturday 9 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Harlow Brass Band - SPRING CONCERT - AN ANIMATION SENSATION

Saturday 16 May • St Andrew's Methodist Church. The Stow. Harlow. CM20 3AF


Brunel Brass Organisation

May 8 • Brunel Brass is looking for a Solo Horn and Back Row Cornet to join our senior band. We are an ambitious, friendly band on the verge of promotion to the Championship Section and recently achieved our highest ever finish at the British Open Spring Festival


East London Brass

May 7 • B Flat Bass : fresh off the back of our promotion to the Grand Shield, ELB are on the look out for a bflat bass player to complement our existing section. The band is ambitious and has an exciting second half of the year ahead.


Thornton Cleveleys Band

May 7 • We currently have the following vacancies.. 3rd Cornet and Bb Bass.. Friendly 3rd Section NW band based just outside of Blackpool. We have some great concerts coming up as well as marches, galas and charity events. With the odd contest thrown in too


Stan Lippeatt

BA, LRSM
Conductor, adjudicator, tutor


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd