Hackney Colliery Band

Get ready for an electrifying night of brass brilliance!

Since forming in 2009, East London’s boundary-pushing musical innovators Hackney Colliery Band have been reshaping expectations of what a brass band can be. Over the past fifteen years, they’ve built a dedicated following through their uplifting live performances and a series of acclaimed releases. Their journey has included some extraordinary moments — including performing to a crowd of 80,000 at the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

Now, the nine-piece ensemble arrives at Shaftesbury Arts Centre as they get ready to release their sixth full-length album, the eagerly awaited Collaborations: Volume Two. While their previous record, Collaborations: Volume One, brought together iconic world-music artists such as Grammy-winning Beninese vocalist Angélique Kidjo and Ethiopian jazz legend Mulatu Astatke, the new album shifts its focus. Volume Two explores songs and vocalists, mixed with a selection of instrumentals that feature harp, guitar, cello — and even conch shells.

As anyone who’s ever tried to organise a group will know, gathering nine musicians in one place on a regular basis is no small achievement — let alone touring the globe to perform instrumental music together. In an industry that often urges artists to settle into a single genre, HCB have joyfully refused, carving their own creative path for a decade and a half. The sense of community and camaraderie within the band is extraordinary, and it shines through in everything they do. Frontman and composer Steve Pretty, along with composers Olly Blackman and Luke Christie, say of the new release: “It’s a privilege and joy to still be playing together after all these years, and especially to be pushing each other to be as creative and innovative as we can be. The process of collaborating with so many amazing artists, and the freshness that’s brought to the project is endlessly inspiring. Some of this music started life almost a decade ago, and other tracks are only a few months old, but we’re so proud of the breadth of musical talent on display with this record.” Their new album stands as a vibrant and original continuation of their already diverse catalogue, celebrating the band’s collaborative spirit and inventive approach.

Expect an evening filled with energy, bold creativity, and the unmistakable joy that Hackney Colliery Band bring to every stage. This is a show not to be missed.