North East band Field Music have joined forces with the Durham Miners Association (DMA) for a new musical project exploring the region’s coal mining heritage.
The band will debut ‘Binding Time, Songs and Stories from the Durham Coalfield’ as part of this year’s Brass Festival.
The work was originally due to receive its premiere at the 2021 festival, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Field Music worked with the DMA and the Redhills team on the project, visiting the Miners Hall and researching the rich history of the Durham coalfield to inspire new compositions featuring brass band music.
The Mercury Award nominees will perform at the Gala Theatre on Sunday 10 July. The band will be accompanied by members of NASUWT Riverside Brass Band. The 2021 concert was originally scheduled for Redhills, which is now closed for restoration and renewal.
I think the original commission was something like ‘can you write us an Eleanor Rigby for the Durham Coalfield’. It’s been a fascinating challenge.
David Brewis, Field Music
The last colliery on the Durham coalfield closed more than a quarter of a century ago but the legacy lives on.
With the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Durham County Council and others, Redhills is undergoing a major programme of restoration and renewal.
Opened in 1915, it is the seat of a trade union democracy that shaped the lives of the people of County Durham for generations. Elected delegates from across the county met at Redhills and created a pioneering social system before the creation of the national welfare state.
The multimillion pound renewal project will see the addition of new buildings with modern facilities, enabling Redhills to offer a wide-ranging programme of activities and community resources.
Field Music are incredible musicians and are a great fit for what this place is about. We hope this collaboration will lead to more opportunities to share the story of Redhills and our mining communities.
Nick Malyan, Redhills Chief Executive
Sunderland brothers Pete and David Brewis formed Field Music in 2004 and have gained a reputation for their ambitious and intellectual approach to making music, winning critical acclaim and Mercury Award nominations.