Emerging music artists to headline at Durham Brass

Luke Royalty, one of the headliners for Brassed On

Durham Brass Festival returns from Sunday 9 to Sunday 16 July, with our event promising a week of spectacular performances, new commissions, free concerts, community activities, and lively street bands.

On Friday 14 July at our Durham Town Hall venue, Durham Brass will host Brassed On, an event which will pair brass with two talented emerging artists from the region, Luke Royalty and Sisi.

Luke Royalty

Luke Royalty, from Darlington, is continuing to rise in stardom after going on tour with Jake Bugg at the end of 2022 and selling out his first headline gigs in Leeds and in his own hometown.

Following the release of his debut EP My Blue Room and new single No1Cares, Luke's music has been played across stations, including BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music, as well as being featured in NME and Clash Magazine.

Loud Noises

Luke will be performing his set with accompaniment from Loud Noises, a high-energy brass band from Leeds whose music combines contemporary brass with dance. Often found centre stage at festivals and events, Loud Noises' performance and energy guarantees audiences to be on their feet at any gig.

Sisi

Sharing the headline stage will be up-and-coming Middlesbrough singer-songwriter, Sisi. 

Sisi's versatile music style covers genres from Afropop to Garage and her music has recently received airplay on BBC Radio 1. Having received artist support from Youth Music and PRS Foundation, last year the 18-year-old won Young Songwriter of the Year and saw herself performing at Reading and Leeds Festival.

The Original Pinettes

Sisi's set will be accompanied by The Original Pinettes, an all-female led brass band from New Orleans.

Formed in 1991, each member of the band was born and raised in New Orleans.

In 2013, the band won the Red Bull "Street Kings" Brass Band Blowout competition, becoming the first Red Bull "Street Queens".  Known for their collaborations, the band have also performed with renowned artists Arcade Fire and Katy Perry.

The Original Pinette's appearance at Durham Brass will be the band's first time playing in the UK.

Regional talent

Alison Clark, our head of culture, sport and tourism, said: "Durham Brass Festival is about bringing together talented musicians both locally and from across the globe to celebrate the boundaries that can be pushed and experiences that can be created through music.

"Celebrating the talent we have in the region is part our ambition to make County Durham the culture county, and Luke and Sisi are two young North East artists who are going from strength to strength in the music world. We are delighted to be hosting them with Loud Noises and The Original Pinettes, in what is sure to be an excellent night."

Noble & Heath

Brassed On will conclude with a set from female vinyl DJ duo Noble & Heath.

Committed vinyl collectors who have played all over London, Noble & Heath bring a fresh energy to any dancefloor, spinning the very best tracks in soul and disco to keep audiences dancing until the lights come on.