Durham streets to get brassy this summer
Streets of Brass programme promises genre-spanning sounds to the streets, boat cruises and park parties
Forget quiet strolls and postcard views – Durham City is set to pulse with pounding beats, roaming performers and brassy fanfare as Streets of Brass returns this summer.
Taking over the city centre on the weekend of July 18 and 19, the free-to-attend programme will once again transform Durham’s historic streets into an open-air stage, with a line-up of international street bands bringing high-energy performances to crowds throughout the day as part of the wider Durham Brass Festival.
Now a firm favourite in the Brass Festival (July 12-19) programme, Streets of Brass invites audiences to encounter live music in unexpected places, as bands weave through public spaces, pop up in busy thoroughfares and turn everyday locations into impromptu performance venues.
This year’s line-up brings together 10 acts spanning genres from jazz and funk to pop, dance and hip hop. Among them is Diddy Sweg, whose surreal, interstellar-inspired sets fuse disco, drum and bass and garage, alongside Loud Noises, known for bridging contemporary brass with dancehall improvisation.
Returning favourites Mr Wilson’s Second Liners will also be back in the city, blending New Orleans influences with 90s club classics, while Yorky Pud Street Band promise their trademark mix of jazz, oom-pah and mash-ups delivered with a New York busking edge.
They are joined by Girlesque, Italy’s first all-female street band, Back Chat Brass with their funk and hip hop-infused sound, and Artistas del Gremio, whose interactive, high-energy performances regularly turn public spaces into impromptu stages.
Rounding out the bill are Brazen Brass Band, Oompah Brass and London-based She’s Got Brass, each bringing their own take on modern brass music.
Cllr Karen Allison, Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street at Durham County Council, said the programme continues to celebrate both tradition and innovation.
“Brass music is such an important part of the county’s heritage, providing a soundtrack to some of the most joyful and poignant moments in people’s lives and creating a sense of camaraderie and belonging among generations of musicians.
“Streets of Brass builds on this tradition but brings it right up to date, with a superb line-up of street bands performing the very best of 21st century brass music in a variety of genres.
“It’s all about bringing people together, while also delivering a welcome economic boost to local businesses, which will benefit from the increased footfall.”
Alongside the street performances, the festival’s Brass Boat Cruises will return to the River Wear, offering audiences the chance to experience live sets from the water. Departing from Elvet Bridge Boat House, the cruises will feature a rotating line-up of bands across both days, including Diddy Sweg, Oompah Brass, Loud Noises and Girlesque on Saturday, and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, She’s Got Brass, Back Chat Brass and Artistas del Gremio on Sunday.
As day turns to evening, crowds will also be able to head to Wharton Park for Party in the Park, a free open-air concert running from 5pm to 9pm on Saturday, showcasing a selection of the weekend’s performers.
Cllr Allison added: “Party in the Park is just one of the free open air concerts taking place as part of the festival this year. We will soon be announcing the details of our popular Brass Bash events, which will once again be returning to parks across the county. Watch this space!”
For performers, the Durham event remains a standout date in the calendar. Will Lenton, of Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, said: “We love coming up to Durham for the festival; catching up with old friends in the audiences and the other bands, and enjoying great music all week.
“We’ve been lucky enough to perform all across the UK and Europe, and I can honestly say, there is nothing like this festival anywhere else. The audiences, the festival team, the bands, the atmosphere, the city, the music.
“I think 2026 will be our seventh Durham Brass Festival and I want to say from everyone in the Mr Wilson’s family, thank you so much!”
Full Brass Festival programme information can be found on the website.