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Wallsend 72 (1972)

Amber Films

Wallsend 72 (1972) image
Still from Wallsend 72, 1972 ©Amber Films

Wallsend 72 (1972)

A short film about Swan Hunter's Brass Band and The Rising Sun Legionnaires juvenile jazz band, culminating in their performances as part of Wallsend Festival in 1972.
  • Film and Video
  • Communities
  • Popular Cultures
  • Place
  • UK Documentary
  • Urban Landscapes
  • 1968 – 1979
  • Tyne & Wear
  • UK

Amber films, 11 minutes, 1972

Wallsend 72 is a short film produced by Amber Films in 1972, offering a glimpse into the cultural life of Wallsend during that period. The film focuses on two musical groups: Swan Hunter's Brass Band and The Rising Sun Legionnaires juvenile jazz band, capturing their performances during the Wallsend Festival.

Along with workingmen’s clubs, brass bands were identified as a potential subject for a film when Amber moved to North East England. At the time, juvenile jazz bands were everywhere in the North East – and in many other industrial areas of the UK. Through its portrayal of these musical groups, the film not only documents the performances but also reflects the broader social and cultural dynamics of Wallsend in the early 1970s. It serves as a valuable historical record, preserving the essence of community life and the role of music in bringing people together during that era.

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© Amber Films

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