'Kings of Cool' Foden's Band and Matt Ford - Congleton Town Hall 15th March

Mark Wilkinson • January 16, 2025

Widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, Matthew Ford returns to Congleton Town Hall with the World’s number one ranked band Foden’s, for their celebration of the ‘Kings of Cool’.

 

Voted Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist, and nominated alongside Jamie Cullum in the inaugural Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards, Matthew makes regular appearances with the John Wilson Orchestra, BBC Big Band and performed for five years with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.

 

Matthew and Foden’s will perform some of the most iconic songs of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Elvis and Tony Bennett including That’s Life, I’ve Got You Under my Skin, Sway, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, For Once in my Life,

New York, New York and many more!

 

Tickets via https://www.priorbooking.com/u/fodens

By Mark Wilkinson April 13, 2026
Foden's Band are extremely proud of their history and were delighted to showcase it through a dedicated Heritage Site. The project commenced following the band's devastating bandroom fire in 2016. The site brings together a rich collection of articles, photographs, concert programmes, player lists and so much more – preserving and celebrating their story for future generations. A major highlight was the digitisation of over 100 original ‘78s alongside recent recordings of previously unrecorded works, brought to life using the original manuscript parts. The project was made possible due to funding from the Heritage Lottery. Explore the enjoy the archive via https://www.fodensbandheritage.co.uk/
By Mark Wilkinson April 13, 2026
The Sandbach Transport Festival is a large annual community event (attracting thousands of people) celebrating the town’s strong history in transport and engineering. It originally grew from Sandbach’s heritage as the home of famous commercial vehicle manufacturers like Foden and ERF trucks. What is it ? It’s a weekend festival featuring: Classic cars, vintage trucks, motorcycles, and modern vehicles A large vehicle parade through the town centre Live music from local bands Family entertainment, fairground rides, food stalls, and displays Sometimes stunt shows (motorbike/BMX) and special exhibitions Join us as we take to the stage on Sunday 26th (between 3:00pm – 3:45pm) before proudly leading the Sandbach Transport Procession through the town
By Mark Wilkinson April 7, 2026
Join Foden’s Band and special guest Matthew Ford for an unforgettable afternoon of music…  Widely regarded as one of the UK’s finest big band vocalists, Matthew Ford returns to Congleton alongside the multi-award-winning Foden’s Band. Expect timeless classics from Frank Sinatra and the golden age of swing. With accolades including ‘Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist’ and performances with the BBC Big Band, John Wilson Orchestra and at the BBC Proms, Matthew brings world-class entertainment to the stage. Foden’s will provide the perfect backdrop for a spectacular celebration of swing music. Congleton Town Hall - Saturday 11th July - 2:00pm Tickets: £20 via: info@fodensband.co.uk Don’t miss what promises to be a fantastic afternoon of iconic swing hits performed by one of the UK’s leading brass bands and one of its finest vocalists!
By Mark Wilkinson April 7, 2026
On the 7th June Foden's look forward to performing in the prestigious 'Elgar International Festival of Brass' at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire The Festival will also include performances from Black Dyke, Flowers, Brassband Willebroek, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Band as well as a recital from the fantastic David Childs Foden's programme will feature John Barber (who recently celebrated his 30th year with the band!) PROGRAMME Tallis Variations - Sparke Concertino for Trombone - Larsson Soloist : John Barber Sounds - Golland Antiphonary – Lane Orbital – Blackwood​​​​​ Further info via https://www.eifob.org.uk/
By Mark Wilkinson April 7, 2026
A number of our members will once again travel to Armagh, Northern Ireland in August to lead sectionals and full rehearsals on the 'Armagh Old Boys Brass Band Summer Course' which promises to be a great week of music, fun and friendship! The course is open to brass and percussionists regardless of age For further information contact Julie-Anne Stevenson - jastevenson4@hotmail.com Location: City of Armagh High School - Alexander Rd, BT61 7JH Dates: Monday 10th - Saturday 15th August 2026 Cost: £60.00 Apply Now: https://docs.google.com/.../1SqJIe0-o-SxUu3srz6.../edit
By Mark Wilkinson March 23, 2026
On Sunday 22 nd March Foden's travelled to Market Drayton to perform to a sold out 'Festival Drayton Centre' programming a reprise of their 'Exodus: Moses in Egypt' set as well as music from the pens of Pallhuber, Graham, Downie, Lome Barry, Elgar and Mangione! During the concert a presentation was made to long standing percussionist Mark Landon who has decided to step away from full time banding. Mark has been a fantastic asset and servant to Foden's for the past 26 years and despite stepping away, will join their pool of percussionists providing cover when needed! 
By Mark Wilkinson March 16, 2026
In late January Foden's returned to the recording studio to record music for a production of 'The Ladies Football Club' which is being shown at the Crucible, Sheffield between the 28th February and 28th March. This high profile production was written by Stefano Massini (The Lehman Trilogy) and adapted by Tim Firth (Calendar Girls) which shows that the final result is not always the one on the scoreboard at full time! Foden's contribution was to record excerpts from a well known championship section test piece used during the performance (visit the show to find out!!) 'The Ladies Football Club' was chosen as one of 'The Times' best shows to see in 2026 with further details via https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/the-ladies-football-club 
By Mark Wilkinson March 12, 2026
Foden's are delighted to announce that they have entered into a partnership with 'The Little Percussion Company' TLPC was formed in 2022 by its founder, Tony Lucas who spent over 20 years at JAM Percussion, concentrating on products that are easy to obtain in the UK.  Since forming a partnership with Adams Percussion, the band are delighted that TLPC have provided all cases / bags to protect these fantastic instruments! For further info about Adams and TLPC please visit https://www.tlperc.com/ https://www.adams-music.com/en/percussion
By Mark Wilkinson March 2, 2026
On Sunday 1st March Foden's competed at the 'North West Area' contest held at the Winter Gardens Blackpool. The UK is split into various 'regions' and the top two placed bands at each regional contest is invited to represent their 'region' at the National Finals, held at the Royal Albert Hall London in October. . Foden's competed against 11 other bands performing the set test piece 'Elgar Variations' by Martin Ellerby, being subsequently announced as the Champions for the tenth consecutive year also winning the prize for the best Principal Cornet Test piece: Elgar Variations (Martin Ellerby) Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs; Gavin Saynor  1. Foden's (Russell Gray)* 2. KNDS Fairey (Phil Chalk)* 3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Thomas Wyss) 4. Freckleton (John Atkinson) 5. Leyland (Daniel Brooks) 6. Milnrow (Christopher Binns) 7. Wardle Anderson Brass (Jamie Cooper) 8. Boarshurst Silver (Martyn Evans) 9. Rainford (Adam DJ Taylor) 10. Whitworth Vale & Healey (Mike Golding) 11. Acceler8 (Jef Sparkes) Best Cornet: Mark Wilkinson (Foden's) *Qualify for National Final
By Mark Wilkinson February 23, 2026
Last weekend saw Foden's make a welcome return to Burton Town Hall, where they were delighted to mark a very special milestone. During the concert, a presentation was made to their outstanding and every-loyal Solo Trombone, John Barber, in recognition of his remarkable 30 years of dedicated service to Foden's!