Location
About this event
The 4th Bandamonium Festival weekend
Bandamonium Devon is a non-competing Brass Band festival in West Devon centred around the small market town of Hatherleigh & hosted by Hatherleigh Silver Band.
For bands to sign up all they have to do is let us know and agree to let their hair down and have fun. It is free for bands and audiences alike. There currently is no limit to the number of bands, but West Devon is only so big so please get in touch sooner rather than later, we’re pretty approachable.
What happens on the weekend?
Friday 15th Aug Hatherleigh Square from 7pm, Brassy entertainment.
In 2024 we had the Brass Holes brass group entertain us with pop & rock classics. We’re not breaking the formula for 2025 so watch for the final billing
Sat 16th Aug Bandamonium Devon from 11am – 9:30pm
More details below
Sun 17th Aug Hatherleigh Square 10am ish, Church service supported by Brass with anyone who wants to play. Then we move into the Junior Training bands Bandamonium which we hope in 2025 will expand.
More about the main day, Bandamonium Saturday. Depending on the number of bands there might be more locations and operational arrangements, but lets go through what 2024 looked like and when changes come along we’ll communicate them.
There are 6 beautiful existing locations:
The Green Dragon in Northlew,
Half Moon in Sheepwash,
Kings Arms in South Zeal
New Inn in Sampford Courtenay
Okehampton Rugby Club
Hatherleigh Town Square
Bands are allocated a start point at 11am and depending on where they are staying we’ll assist getting them to the start points. We then ferry the bands round for the afternoon on provided transport with each band going either clockwise or anti clockwise round the loop. Some of the lanes are
pretty small hence we provide the transport. We have trackers for the bands and coaches so you can always see where they are or are not!
At the end of the day everyone is brought back to Hatherleigh Square for the massed bands performance at 8ish which is always a little late, Audiences, supporters and shoppers (?) are more than welcome to use the coaches to move around the locations – but bands come first in case there’s a squeeze.
Bands play for as long as 20 mins at each place & can play what they like there are no restrictions (brass instruments maybe with spoons and accordion added by special dispensation), they don’t have to play the same at each place it’s 100% up to them.
At each location there will be seats, stands and a drum kit so in theory bands only need to bring their instruments and music
Where do bands stay? We have a list of local hotels & campsites- the Ashbury Manor have opened their doors to us as well. Some bands stay in the metropolis of Exeter, again we provide transport from and back to Exeter and can be flexible.
Bandamonium is not a competition however currently there are 2 prizes. The People's Choice is voted for by everyone on-line(https://app.rankedvote.co/rv/l0y2v7jblb4hhh8fs2/vote) the Best Band by a celebrity & is judged based on a secret formula…. (It’s the band that has most embraced the Bandamonium spirit that year). Bandamonium is not a marching competition – but you can march if you want to.
Bandamonium Barbarians- Bands with too few players.
The Barbarians is for anyone that wants to play from anywhere at any standard & everyone is welcomed. Just message us and come along. The music is not difficult and is classic Brass Bandy, we’ve had learners and old timers, young and not so young – the Barbarians demonstrates the Brass Band family at it’s best.
Merchandise – will be available for purchase & is encouraged. From our luxurious hoodies to the annual collectable T-shirt, hats, T towels and whatever else Mrs W can put her hand to.
So day starts at 11am and the massed bands are back in Hatherleigh at 8 (will be later). Travel round with your favourite band, stay in one location, move around randomly – the choice is yours!
Contact: bandamoniumbrassband@gmail.com