The Hammonds Band recently played to perhaps the largest audience for a brass band 'gig' in 2023 when they performed as part of the recent Soccer Aid charity football match at Old Trafford.

The game which features sports and entertainment stars was played at Manchester United's famous 75,000 seat stadium with the band keeping the audiences on the terraces as well as the millions watching at home entertained.

The match which saw Usain Bolt's 'Rest of the World' side up against England international Jill Scott's 'England' raised almost £15 million for Unicef. Bolt, ex-Spurs star Robbie Keane and Kem Cetinay from the television series Love Island scored the goals.

Indiana Jones

The Yorkshire band, who recently claimed the French Open title certainly played their part though — dressed in Indiana Jones style khaki shirts to play the famous John Williams theme tune to the movie to welcome the players to the pitch.

Speaking about the experience, solo euphonium player Mike Kilroy said that it had been "a great day for the band"with Brazilian world cup winner Roberto Carlos as well as pop star Robbie Williams and television comic Lee Mack all stopping off for a chat.

It was an opportunity to show what brass bands can do differently and can offer to events such as this. It's about breaking the stereotype mould — and I think Hammonds certainly did thatMike Kilroy

All pros?

Mike said: "When we finished and the players came out, they were going 'blimey that was amazing!' They all kept calling us the Disney Band — and thought we were all professional players."

Although it meant a long day the exposure to a worldwide audience will have been invaluable as Mike explained: "High-profile gigs like this are what bands crave — especially as it gives a huge boost to their profile.

It was an opportunity to show what brass bands can do differently and can offer to events such as this. It's about breaking the stereotype mould — and I think Hammonds certainly did that."