*
banner

4BR Friday Interview with Chris Smith

We catch up with Chris Smith from the great brass ensemble Old Dirty Brasstards as they look forward to performing the first of four new shows encompassing the hits of Britpop and 80s revival to Pop punk and Beyonce...

Brasstards
  The group will be performing in Manchester in September

Can't see the audio player below? Visit soundcloud.com/4barsrest

4BR Editor Iwan Fox catches up with Chris Smith, one of the founders of the Old Dirty Brasstards group.

They have just celebrated their ninth anniversary with news that they will be producing four new shows to take on the road over the coming year thanks to a successful Arts Council England Culture Recovery Fund award.

It will see them produce shows that cover Britpop and 80s revival to Pop punk and Beyonce.

Manchester

They are taking their shows in the road — and start off in Manchester at the Manchester Academy on 23rd September with 'Old Dirty Brasstards present Disco 2021: A Britpop Brass Odyssey'.

As Chris tells Iwan — its all come about to reach out to a new audience — one that because of the history of the group certainly includes lots of brass banders.

So if you are ready to be transported back to the heady days of Oasis, Pulp, Blur, Suede of the 'Cool Britannia' years then there are even special discounted brass band tickets to enjoy it.

Find out more

To find out more about the ticket link for brass players discount:
https://www.manchesteracademy.net/order/gateway/13359160

www.olddirtybrasstards.co.uk

www.twistednoisetroupe.com

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    


Review

Join us tonight for the latest 4BR review

December 4 • An hour of chat and opinions as we ponder if there has been a real shift in musical outlook in the banding world. Join us and have your say tonight.


Thurcroft Welfare

Thurcroft honour stalwart trio

December 4 • Three remarkable servants of Thurcroft Welfare Band have been honoured for their decades of dedicated commitment.


Purcell Brass

Purcell Brass Experience aims to inspire the next generation of performers

December 4 • The UK's oldest specialist music school has announced the launch of its new Purcell Brass Experience — and its free.


Delph

It's going to be a Whit Friday Christmas

December 4 • A new Whit Friday venture will be heard in Delph this Christmas — and all with a festive difference.


Garforth Brass - Strawberry Fields Primary School

Friday 5 December • Garforth Methodist Church,. Church Lane,. Garforth,. Leeds LS25 1NW


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 6 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF12 0JZ


Petworth Town Band - Petworth Town Band Christmas Event

Saturday 6 December • Petworth Town Centre GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band - Family Christmas Concert

Sunday 7 December • Castle Manor Academy, Haverhill CB9 9JE


Petworth Town Band - PetworthTown Band Christmas Concert

Saturday 13 December • St Mary’s Church Petworth GU28 OAD


Haverhill Silver Band

December 2 • Haverhill Silver Band seeks an Eb bass player to join us for the areas and beyond. This is your chance to join East Anglia's premier brass band and compete at the Senior Cup and Whit Friday, as well as performing in great concerts throughout the year!


Haverhill Silver Band

December 2 • Haverhill Silver Band seeks a flugel player to join us for the areas and beyond. This is your chance to join East Anglia's premier brass band and compete at the Senior Cup and Whit Friday, as well as performing in great concerts throughout the year!


Chinnor Silver

December 1 • Having secured promotion to the 1st section from January our Christmas wish is for a Bb BASS and PERCUSSION players to join us.. Rehearsals are on a Wednesday in our own bandroom.. Good but realistic book of concerts and contests planned.


Stephen Tighe

ARCM, LDBBA, (Dip)PFS.
Adjudicator / Music Director / Arranger


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd