Narc. Magazine Online
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Thomas Jackson enjoys a night of formidable songwriting and cinematic soundscapes at Durham BRASS
Image by Thomas Jackson
I’ve been fortunate enough to see Hector Gannet in pubs, clubs, festivals, stadiums and even a launderette, but it was in the inspired location of Redhills, accompanied by Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band, where they felt most at home.
Much of tonight’s setlist was taken from the band’s forthcoming third album, The Great Shakedown. On first listen, it appears that Aaron Duff’s already formidable songwriting has taken yet another leap forward. There’s a new level of introspection on display here, which has always threatened to show itself but which has, until now, remained mostly hidden. These are songs that sit more patiently with themselves, allowing space for reflection without losing the emotional immediacy that has always defined the band’s work.
The contribution by Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band to tonight’s festivities really can’t be overstated. For a band steeped in regional heritage, the pairing felt natural rather than forced. At times the music took on a whole new depth and dimension, the brass arrangements lifting familiar melodies into something grander and more cinematic. Elsewhere, they added a subtle emotional undercurrent, gently reinforcing the themes of community, resilience and memory that run through Duff’s writing.
Redhills itself proved to be more than just a venue. The historic home of the Durham Miners’ Association carries a weight and symbolism that perfectly complemented the performance. You could feel it in the room: a sense of continuity between past and present, between the cultural traditions of the region and a band that has always drawn deeply from its North East roots. It lent the evening an almost reverential atmosphere, without ever tipping into crass nostalgia.
What stood out most was the balance the band struck between intimacy and scale. Even with the expanded sonic palette, nothing felt too much. Instead, the arrangements served to underline the emotional heart of the songs, whether in the quietest moments or the more anthemic peaks. Duff’s voice remained the focal point throughout, carrying both vulnerability and conviction.
If The Great Shakedown is indicative of where Hector Gannet are heading, then this is a band not just growing, but refining their identity with real purpose. In Redhills, surrounded by history and buoyed by the unmistakable power of brass, they delivered a performance that felt both rooted and forward-looking.
