The Grimethorpe Colliery Band

The Anvil

The Grimethorpe Colliery Band

Sat 30 Oct, 7.30pm

Tickets: £17.50, £19.50

The Grimethorpe Colliery Band, stars of the hit movie Brassed Off, return to The Anvil.

From their conception Grimethorpe have been regular competitors in national and international competitions more often than not taking first prize and never coming lower than 5th in their entire career.

In 1992 the government of the time announced there were to be nationwide pit closures. With unemployment looming, the band continued to play and were determined to progress to the final of the National Brass Band Championships. The final details of the pit closures were announced just 5 days before the band were due to take part in the competition at the Royal Albert Hall. Needless to say the pressure was immense, with the world's media seizing on the band as a ‘new angle' for their stories relating to the closures. With a great deal of passion and resolve Grimethorpe triumphed at the contest to become the Champion Brass Band of Great Britain.

The band also featured on the soundtrack of the British made film Brassed Off. Starring Tara Fitzgerald, Ewan McGregor and Peter Postlethwaite, it told the story of a brass band from the fictional Yorkshire mining town of Grimely who, faced with the closure of their pit, went on to triumph at the National Brass Band Championships. The film took Grimethorpe on to international stardom. From America to Sweden, to Japan and Australia, they have received standing ovations and critical plaudits wherever they appear.

Visit the Grimethorpe Colliery Band's website