Tongues of Fire
Blowing up a musical storm of brass, reeds and drums
What we do
Tongues of Fire are an 8 piece brass, reeds and drum band, making a joyful noise for dancing, dreaming and celebration. The band can play in the landscape and on the street, on stages, in clubs and village hall and lead processions and parades
You can watch two films of them live
At the Stockton International River Festival 2025
and at the Sound of the Streets Festival 2023
Who we are
The band is led by English street band veteran Tim Hill, and draws on traditions of funky marching bands, village, church and circus bands and the cosmic carnival of Sun Ra.
There us a short film about us here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JH1PD4tFoo
Referencing the collective shamanic voodoo of Sun Ra and Albert Ayler’s mystical shrieks and shronks, they fire up an unholy modal roustabout of a party. Blindingly good. 5/5” International DJ Magazine.
Our music
We combine many strands of music making
- street grooves, drawing on Contemporary New Orleans and Balkan sounds
- wild takes on English traditions
- our own string and rhythmic music
- covers of great popular songs, souls funk and more
The result is a rich, wild and unique sound.
You can hear us here
The Sound of Celebration
With a unique blend of brass, reeds, and percussion, Tongues of Fire create a musical storm wherever we play. The band has lots of experience creating events, parades and celebrations and can play festivals, in the streets, lead processions and play at weddings, funerals and other ceremonies. We can create special arrangements of songs and tunes needed, and give advice about all these.
You can see us here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JH1PD4tFoo
We work closely with 'The Sound of the Streets', a charity that promotes Street Bands, creates festivals and education projects, and inspires and supports children and young people to play brass, wind and percussion http://www.thesoundofthestreets.com
The Big Sing
A coming together to sing great songs
Tongues of Fire also offers The Big Sing, a wonderful coming together to sing some great songs with a live band. Songs like 'With a Little Help from my Friends', 'Stand By Me' and 'Lovely Day'. The band also offer online lyrics and song books. The photo is from our Big Sing session at the 2023 Sound of the Streets Festival
20 years of making a joyful noise
over 250 performances
playing to over 15,000 people
photos credits by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Hannah Earl and others