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A man walking as part of a parade playing a brass instrument. He is wearing a blue t-shirt

11–13 Apr 2025

The Big Brass Blowout

A district wide celebration of the best in brass.

Events

From Black Dyke classics to bhangra mash-ups, we celebrated the best in brass.

The Big Brass Blowout brought together a variety of class brass acts for three glorious days and nights of music across Bradford District. From traditional tunes to afrobeat rhythms, much-loved classics to one-off collaborations, we shone a spotlight on the power, versatility and all-round brilliance of the great British brass band.

Events

Blue and red lit trumpet being played
PAST FREE Part of The Big Brass Blowout

11 Apr 2025 • 7.15pm (doors from 7pm)

Reggae + Brass

Jerry ‘Red Dred’ Crawford, Natural Rhythm

Join us as we celebrate the first night of The Big Brass Blowout with a reggae and roots reunion headlined by a true Bradford legend.

Black and white image of Bradford City v Newcastle United in 1911
PAST Part of The Big Brass Blowout

11 Apr 2025 • 7.30pm (doors 7pm)

Echoes of the North

BD1 Brass played live to an extraordinary film, celebrating the way we were.

A conductor in a white suit jacket leads a brass band
PAST Part of The Big Brass Blowout

11 Apr 2025 • 7.30pm (doors 7pm)

BBC Radio 2 Loves Brass

with Marti Pellow and Carly Paoli

A night that showcased the range of brass music - hosted by Zoe Ball.

A group of musicians play their instruments in a sunny street
PAST FREE Part of The Big Brass Blowout

12 Apr 2025 • From 1pm

The Big Brass Blast

We took our weekend-long brass celebration to the heart of the city with a series of free outdoor gigs.

A grey scale image - a silver trumpet sits on a grey surface.
PAST FREE Part of The Big Brass Blowout

12 Apr 2025 • 9pm

Balkan Beats & Brass

DJ Marco

The Underground went east for a night of Balkan brass bangers.

A woman with long, black braids poses in a white room, she is wearing a black suit and silver loafers. There is a soft focus on the camera so the image looks glowy.
PAST FREE Part of The Big Brass Blowout

12 Apr 2025 • 7pm (doors from 6.30pm)

Brass Oranje

Kymara, Sam Newbould Quintet, Peter Somuah

We went Dutch with this showcase of three great new acts from the Netherlands.

Portrait of Richard Hawley wearing sunglasses and a white jacket.
PAST Part of The Big Brass Blowout

12 Apr 2025 • 7.30pm (doors 7pm)

Richard Hawley & the Black Dyke Band

Bradford’s brass legends teamed up with Sheffield’s favourite son for one night only.

A brass band sat playing in a hall being conducted by a man who has his back to the camera
PAST FREE Part of The Big Brass Blowout

12 Apr 2025 • 4:30pm

Hall Royd Band

The famous Shipley band celebrated its 80th birthday with a free concert in Wibsey Park for The Big Brass Blowout.

Animated characters Wallace & Gromit hold instruments, against a background with musical notes.
PAST Part of The Big Brass Blowout

12 Apr 2025 • 2pm (doors 1.30pm)

Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers – Live

It was back on the big screen – this time with the live soundtrack played by the City of Bradford Brass Band.

Black and white: People play instruments together.
PAST FREE Part of The Big Brass Blowout

13 Apr 2025 • 3pm (doors at 2.30pm)

Brass on a Sunday Afternoon

Toby Brazier Sextet, Omotola & Friends, Hot Aire!

Cool jazz, hot Yoruba sounds and a classic brass band – it was an eclectic Sunday at Loading Bay.

Musicians Kokoroko stand in a line in front of a wall.
PAST Part of The Big Brass Blowout

13 Apr 2025 • 7.30pm (doors 7pm)

KOKOROKO

Plus support from TC & the Groove Family

The powerhouse London collective rounded out our brass weekender.

 

Big Brass Blowout was produced by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

Lead image: © Patrycja Maziarz