EverReady Brass Band

Join us for an amazing evening with the 36 times North of England Brass Band Champions, the Ever Ready Band

Originally formed in 1910 to provide recreational activity for the miners in the village of Craghead, County Durham, Craghead Colliery Band became known locally and nationally, ranking for many years in the top ten brass bands in the world.

In 1968, the Ever Ready company took over sponsorship of the band and gave the band a new home. Between 1972 and 1982 they won eleven consecutive regional championship titles, totally dominating North East brass band competitions and became well known for high standards of musicianship.

The now famous scarlet tunics were seen at major concert venues throughout the UK, and when the Ever Ready factory closed in 1992 the Band became entirely self-supporting, whilst retaining the famous Ever Ready name in token only.

The band’s greatest achievement to date was securing third prize at the National Finals at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2004, an achievement no other North East band match. This led to the band being invited to represent England in the 2005 World Championships held in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, claiming fifth prize. Further success included winning the French Open Brass Band Championships in 2017.

In 2023, the band moved forward under a new name, The EverReady Band, as a nod to the past and a return to the name by which it is most widely recognised in brass banding circles.

Currently, the band is involved in Durham Brass Festival and has performed major concerts in the series in Durham Cathedral, and launched 2023’s events with a stunning production at the Fire Station, Sunderland, celebrating 70 Years of Bond.

Most recently, on Christmas Eve 2023, EverReady Band performed two sell out concerts of The Snowman, also at the Fire Station.

In contesting news, the band competed at the National Brass Band Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the 52nd time, cementing its position as the North East’s premier band