The Band - Series 2
3 x 30' - BBC ONE NI (2022)
The Band returns for a second series on BBC One Northern Ireland, following the highs and lows of rural families that live together and band together.
The three-part series, supported by the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, explores the remarkable people, young and old, who dedicate so much of their lives to their band, culture and community. Through their love of pipe, flute, accordion and brass band music – this intimate series reflects a vibrant community with a shared musical heritage that is passed down from generation to generation.
21-year-old engineering student Brianna McMullen from Ballygowan is not your typical girl in a band. As one of only a couple of women known to beat the bass drum in Northern Ireland, Brianna challenges the stereotypes of banding, attracting attention from onlookers wherever she goes. Brianna is passionate about her identity and her band family – Ballygowan Pipe Band. She’s also a dab hand at welding and clay pigeon shooting.
Returning from series one is the Lutton family, whose musicianship is demonstrated once again when eldest son Craig, a professional percussionist, returns home to Randalstown to join with his family and his local band, Kellswater Flute, for a busy Twelfth.
We also meet Winifred Rainey from Newtownhamilton, who has been a member of Aughnagurgan Accordion Band for more than forty years. With more than fifteen members of her extended family in the band, it is her youngest daughter Alex, an agricultural student, who takes the reigns as Drum Major. Despite early morning starts and plenty of silage to draw, this busy farming family always finds time for the band.
In the following two episodes, we meet the McElhinney family from South Donegal as they prepare for a smaller Rossnowlagh Twelfth than usual and the Graham family from Rathfriland, as preparations for the Ardarragh Accordion Band’s annual Tractor Run get underway.
The Band is a DoubleBand Films production for BBC Northern Ireland in association with the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund. The series was produced by Sharon Whittaker and directed by Ben O’Loan.
Executive Producers – Michael Hewitt and Dermot Lavery
Executive Producer for BBC Northern Ireland – Fiona Keane
EPISODE 1
In the first episode of this documentary series professional percussionist Craig Lutton returns home to Antrim for the Royal 13th with his family in Tandragee, the Rainey’s from Newtownhamilton juggle banding with the daily grind of running a family farm while 21-year-old engineering student Brianna McMullen from Ballygowan shows the men how it’s done on the ‘big drum’.
EPISODE 2
In the second episode of this series the McElhinney family from Co. Donegal prepare for a smaller Rossnowlagh Twelfth than usual, assistant Presbyterian Minister David Bingham swaps his baritone for his Bible at Richill Twelfth while conductor Chris Wright composes new concert music for Ireland’s longest running marching band in Londonderry.
EPISODE 3
In the final episode of this series the Graham family from Rathfriland prepare for their band’s annual tractor run, Andrew McConnell and his son Christopher from Annalong explore shared passions for drums, boats and volunteering with the RNLI while the Brodison boys from Magheramorne, raised in a band family, are on the cusp on manhood and their futures with the band hang in the balance.
