The South are back on the road and do what they do best - perform the songs of that great British pop institution, The Beautiful South, to the thousands of fans of these timeless classics.
The South are an impressive 9 piece band who feature former members of The Beautiful South including singer Alison Wheeler and lifelong sax player Gaz Birtles. Since Dave Hemingway, the original singer, left the group at the end of 2016, Gaz has moved across to front the band with Alison and taken on vocal duties. Now, in keeping with the 2 male singers of The Beautiful South, trumpet player Gareth John takes over some vocal duties on a few songs whilst Gaz goes back to his old job of being a Sax player!
Since the demise of The Beautiful South in 2007, this exciting live band have spent 14 years touring the theatres and festivals of the UK up and down the country, bringing back the full sound and arrangements of these treasured songs - A Little Time (the number one single), Perfect 10, Rotterdam, Song For Whoever, Old Red Eyes Is Back, Good as Gold, Don't Marry Her plus many more singles and album tracks as well as a few choice South originals. These songs span an impressive 18 year career starting way back in 1989!
The South are:
Alison Wheeler (Vocals), Gaz Birtles (Vocals/sax), Gareth John (Trumpet)/vocals), Phil Barton (Guitars), Steve Nutter (Bass), Dave Anderson (Drums), Karl Brown (Percussion) , Su Robinson (Sax) and Andy Price (Keyboards).
Let’s Carry On… Regardless!
“...A first-class entertainment outfit. With two very different vocalists, the group’s performances are fun, accessible and varied.” — BUSINESS REPORTER.CO.UK
Founded in 2015, the King Brasstards emerged as one of the UK’s pioneering funky brass bands, their outstanding ability to entertain is unparalleled.
King Brasstards aren’t just about the big stage moments; “We can steal the show with a simple, spontaneous performance at a reception,” explains Frontman Gareth John. He adds, “Our dynamic range, from a tight three-piece to a magnificent
seven-piece band, ensures both we and our clients enjoy ultimate flexibility.”
With two distinctive vocalists leading their ensemble, the band guarantees exhilarating performances that are not only delightful but also tailored to the desires of their clientele. Their musical canvas, while vast, always maintains a funky New Orleans-inspired undertone. With three stellar albums under their belt, their relentless dedication to versatility and a sharp business ethic is evident.
From electrifying the arena at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham to energizing the stands backing Team GB at the Billie Jean King Cup, their pulsating beats have echoed across numerous prestigious events. They've enlivened The Hundred cricket matches, set the pace at Formula One in Silverstone, cheered on the Leicester Tigers Rugby, got fans on their feet at Premier League football matches, and have been the soul of many basketball finals events. Television hasn't been immune to their charms either. Their charisma on ITV’s 'Britain’s Got Talent', Channel 4, BBC Red Button, BT Sport, and Sky Sports speaks volumes about their adaptability. Beyond live sports and broadcasts and their tunes have caught the ears of industry giants like SkyBet, Boohoo, Meta Platforms, Amazon and Uber to name to name a few. In 2022, they left an indelible mark at the Travel Industry Awards held at the esteemed Rosewood Hotel in London. Their unique talent for kickstarting the party from any corner of a room, before owning the stage, is their signature entertainment move.
Their members have shared stages with iconic acts like The Specials, The Happy Mondays, Paul Weller, The Jam, The Beautiful South, Stephen Mulhern, Tom Grennan, Shed 7, and a plethora of others.
