Society & Culture
Politics and brass bands have been intertwined since the earliest days of banding, from the industrial roots of colliery and works bands to modern debates over funding and public perception.
Starting with the formation of early brass bands by industrialists, hosts Sarah Baumann and Kenny Crookston dive into how bands were used as tools for advertising, community morale, and even social control. They trace the impact of political shifts, like the decline of industry and the miners’ strikes, which marked the beginning of the end for many colliery bands. The episode reveals how band names evolved alongside their sponsors and how bands have navigated shifting political landscapes from the Victorian era to today.
Guests include David Hirst, who shares his deep knowledge of Black Dyke’s industrial heritage, and journalist Iwan Fox, who discusses the crucial but often contentious role that politics plays in banding today. Iwan reflects on the changing landscape, from funding battles to the influence of popular culture, and Tredegar Town Band’s involvement in the film Pride. He also highlights the ongoing political power that bands can wield when they engage effectively with their communities and policymakers.
We also hear from Hannah Beach, a young trustee of Brass Bands England, who offers a fresh perspective on how brass bands have maintained their resilience through eras of political change, and how they can continue to thrive by embracing their community roots.
Packed with expert insights, rare archival finds, and thought-provoking conversations, this episode paints a vivid picture of brass bands’ political past and their fight for a sustainable future.
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To explore the Brass Bands Archive, visit www.brassbandsarchive.com
Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and the Scottish Power Foundation for their support. To hear any of the tracks played in this episode in full, head to www.wobplay.com.
Hosts: Kenny Crookston & Sarah Baumann (CEO & COO, Brass Bands England)
Episode Guests:
- David Hirst (formerly of Black Dyke Band)
- Iwan Fox (historian and journalist, editor at 4BarsRest.com, Tredegar Town Band)
- Hannah Beech (Trustee, Brass Bands England)
Music Featured (Courtesy of World of Brass):
- B.B. & C.F. (James Ord Hume), Grimethorpe Colliery (UK Coal) Band, from The History of Brass Band Music: The Early Years
Podcast Producer: Peter Baumann