Great North Steel Band

Great North Steel Band is a Manchester based steel band, whose players between them have over 40 years of experience playing the pan. They can appear solo, or as a duo, trio or quartet.

Well known for understanding the thin line between professionalism and having fun, this lively set up have experience making people smile at events from private weddings and Christmas parties, to formal corporate functions for giant businesses such as:

Nokia – Rotherham Call Centre – Ventura House, Rotherham, 2013
Citroen – At the Splash Landings Hotel, Alton Towers, Alton, 2013
Cadbury – At Cadbury world, Bourneville, 2012
British Gas – At the Manchester Call Centre, Manchester, 2012
Sky TV – At their summer ball held at Leeds University, Leeds, 2011

Although the band’s repertoire includes all the well known traditional islands songs, they also play a mixture of salsa, and bossa nova, and lots of recognisable pop songs with a Caribbean twist. The music is arranged in an innovative style, but without losing the classic steel pan sound, with jazzy chords and improvisations adding spice to all songs.

Repertoire (the exact repertoire will depend on which line-up is booked)

Copacabana
Yellow Bird
Island in the Sun
Dancing Queen
Pan in A minor
Spanish Eyes
Three Little Birds
Caribbean Farewell
Brazil
Quando Quando
La Cucaracha
Fire Down Below
The Cricket Song
Rum and Coca Cola
The Girl from Ipanema
Steel Band Paradise
Brown Girl in the Ring
Si Si
Just the Two of Us
Senor Burns
Music for the World
Sugar Bum Bum
Samba De Orfeu
Take 5
Moliendo Cafe
When the Saints
Soca Party
Wonderful Sound
Plus many more…

Set times are a standard two hours of playing, which can be organised over a three to three and a half hour period into slots of 45 minutes, 30 minutes etc.  They are prepared to be flexible with set and playing times.

Testimonials

“Just wanted to pass on our thanks to the Great North Steel Band for Saturday, everyone loved them and they brought great vibes to the event.”

Georgie Higson Smith, Saving Grace Events

“The guys were absolutely great and created a really good atmosphere. Everyone was commenting on how good they were so I feel vindicated in having booked them. I would most definitely recommend them.”

Ross Newark, Wedding Event, Cheshire

“Arrived in plenty of time, very friendly and played some lovely music. Just what we wanted.”

Rachel Kneafsey, Private Party Event, Northamptonshire

“Fantastic, the band really were amazing, so glad we booked them!”

Nadine Holmes, Wedding Event, Cheshire

“The guys were absolutely fantastic, my parents were delighted with the surprise and everyone has commented on how the steel band added to the party atmosphere of the occasion. My only regret is that I didn’t think beforehand to get some lessons from the band before the day to play a tune for our family and friends…. that would have been an amazing surprise for everyone!!  I’ll have to do that next time! It was also a pleasure to deal with you, you were very helpful with the booking. If you ever need a reference for you or the guys I’d be happy to provide one for future clients.”

Sandra Milton (now Sandra Youngson), Wedding event

“Good image and presented good also. Thank you very much to travel so far, and it was surely worth it. The people liked the Caribbean music, and the atmosphere it carried.”

Raul Martez – Barcelona,