North West Brass Bands

The brass band movement grew in the industrial towns and cities of Northern England during the nineteenth century. In this article, we explore the history of brass bands in the North West of England. We’ll take a look at some of the most famous bands from this region and also explore some lesser known groups. If you love brass bands or are interested in learning more about them, keep reading!

A Brief History of Brass Bands in the North West

• Brass bands originated in the British Isles in the late eighteenth century. They were initially used by military marching bands, but became a popular phenomenon across the country after the Napoleonic wars ended.
• During the nineteenth century, bands were an important part of British culture. They were often employed in celebratory occasions such as royal funerals and royal weddings, and also became a staple feature of the British Industrial Revolution.
• The ability to read and write music was not widespread at this time and so brass bands became an important source of entertainment for the working classes.
• There are no definitive figures for the number of bands that existed in pre-First World War Britain, but it is likely that there were several thousand across the country.
• During the nineteenth century, the brass band movement grew in the industrial towns and cities of the North West of England. In particular, there were many bands in Liverpool, Birkenhead and Wallasey in the Wirral, and Manchester and Salford in Greater Manchester.
• The brass band movement in the North West was initially driven by the large numbers of seafaring men who lived in the region, but it was also fuelled by the growth of the textile industry in Lancashire.
• Toward the end of the nineteenth century, the brass band movement began to decline, and many bands either disbanded or switched to other musical genres, such as orchestral or military music.
• In the early twentieth century, the brass band movement in the North West was revived.
• During the interwar period, the number of bands in the region grew significantly, and the North West became a leading centre for brass band music.
• Pre-Second World War, the most famous bands from the North West were the Blackpool Tower, Stanley Park, Wallasey and Wirral, and Swinton and Pendlebury brass bands.
• The decline of the brass band movement during the interwar years was followed by another decline in the post-Second World War period, and the number of bands in the North West declined again.
• In the late twentieth century, the brass band movement underwent a revival, and the number of bands in the region once again grew significantly.
• In the twenty-first century, the most famous bands from the North West are the Blackpool Concert, Blackpool Tower, Brighouse and Rastrick, Fairey and Wingates, High Hoyland and Yorkshire Imperial.

The Most Famous Brass Bands from the North West

• Blackpool Concert Brass Band - The Blackpool Concert is the most famous brass band from the North West. It is based in Blackpool, which is on the Fylde Coast in the north of the region. The Blackpool Concert was established in 1878. It is the world’s longest running brass band, and has been performing continuously since its formation. It is different in that it is a combination band, meaning that it has both brass and woodwind instruments. It is also one of the few remaining full-time brass bands in the country, meaning that it is not attached to a particular town or city.
• Blackpool Tower Brass Band - The Blackpool Tower is another famous brass band from the North West. It is located in Blackpool, on the Fylde Coast, in the north of the region. The Blackpool Tower was established in 1894. It is one of five bands based in the town of Blackpool, along with the Blackpool Concert, Blackpool Victoria, Central Park, and South Shore.
• Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band - The Brighouse and Rastrick is a well-known brass band from West Yorkshire. It is based in Brighouse, which is on the River Calder in the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, West Yorkshire. The Brighouse and Rastrick was established in 1876. It is one of the world’s most successful brass bands, having won the British Open Championships a record twenty-seven times.
• Fairey Brass Band - The Fairey is a famous brass band from Greater Manchester. It is based in Stockport, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport. The Fairey was established in 1901. It has won the British Open Championships once, in 1944.

Famous Brass Bands from Liverpool and Merseyside

• Liverpool Police Band - The Liverpool Police is a well-known band from Liverpool and Merseyside. It is based in Liverpool, which is on the Mersey Estuary in the north of the region. The Liverpool Police was established in 1822. The band has won the British Open Championships twice, in 1874 and 1912. It is one of the most successful bands in the history of the brass band movement.
• Liverpool Scottish Brass Band - The Liverpool Scottish is another famous brass band from Liverpool and Merseyside. It is based in Liverpool, on the Mersey Estuary, in the north of the region.
• The Liverpool Scottish was established in 1890. It has won the British Open Championships once, in 1979.

Famous Brass Bands from Greater Manchester

• Swinton and Pendlebury Brass Band - The Swinton and Pendlebury is a famous brass band from Greater Manchester. It is based in Swinton, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham. The Swinton and Pendlebury was established in 1857. It has won the British Open Championships five times, in 1864, 1866, 1885, 1886, and 1887. It is one of the most successful bands in the history of the brass band movement.
• Radcliffe and District Brass Band - The Radcliffe and District is a well-known brass band from Greater Manchester. It is based in Radcliffe, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury. The Radcliffe and District was established in 1867. It has won the British Open Championships once, in 1884.

Other Notable Bands from the North West

• Ashton Under Lyne Town Hall - The Ashton Under Lyne Town Hall is a well-known band from the North West. It is based in Ashton-Under-Lyne, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside. The Ashton Under Lyne Town Hall was established in 1878. It has won the British Open Championships once, in 1932.
• Barrow-in-Furness Municipal - The Barrow-in-Furness Municipal is a well-known band from the North West. It is based in Barrow-in-Furness, which is on the south-western coast of the region. The Barrow-in-Furness Municipal was established in 1887. It has won the British Open Championships twice, in 1908 and 1934.
• Southport Amateur - The Southport Amateur is a famous brass band from the North West. It is based in Southport, which is on the Mersey Estuary in the south of the region. The Southport Amateur was established in 1887. It has won the British Open Championships once, in 1922.

Conclusion

The brass band movement grew in the industrial towns and cities of the North West of England during the nineteenth century. In particular, there were many bands in Liverpool, Birkenhead and Wallasey in the Wirral, and Manchester and Salford in Greater Manchester.

During the twentieth century, the brass band movement in the North West was revived. The number of bands in the region grew significantly, particularly in Liverpool and Merseyside, and the North West became a leading centre for brass band music.

The most famous bands from the North West are the Blackpool Concert, Blackpool Tower, Brighouse and Rastrick, Fairey and Wingates, High Hoyland and Yorkshire Imperial.