At a very early age of 8, both my sister and I used to run around the village of Delph chasing and watching all the bands as they competed in The Whit Friday Brass Band Contests. Obviously, at the time we had no idea the significance of these contests and were more interested in playing with our pea shooters, which I'm now lead to believe is an equally memorable part of the contest for the band members!!! However, to this day I am always stopped in my tracks when I hear and see the real power and emotion of a Colliery Band.
I first saw Black Dyke on a rainy Halifax afternoon and was simply stunned by the power of the performance. The dynamics this band can play with are astounding. I was particularly impressed with the volumes the band could get to and the sound of anything outside these days always refers me back to that day and the beauty of the brass in the open air. Both in appearance and in sound.