Mansfield’s Palace Theatre has briefly turned art-gallery, playing host to Luke Jerram’s stunning Gaia installation all week, drawing visitors to experience the remarkable illuminated Earth suspended above the stage. A special one-off concert from Newstead Brass presents a true highlight of the exhibition — a thoughtful and powerful evening of live music under the globe.Under the fabulous direction and curation of Martin Heartfield, Newstead Brass delivers a performance that captures the imagination from the very first note. The programme offers a rich variety, moving confidently between moods and styles. Moments of high drama, like the thrilling When Thunder Calls by Paul Lovatt-Cooper, sit alongside international folk-rock pieces such as Etienne Crausaz’s Balkan Dance. There are also more reflective points in the evening, with a particularly moving performance of the traditional Water of Tyne (arr. Harper) bringing a beautiful stillness to the space.Pace and energy shift thoughtfully across the concert, keeping the audience engaged and the atmosphere fresh throughout. Poppy Taylor (flugelhorn) and Luke Pallister (cornet) shine in their featured solos and across the programme, with other soloists also stepping forward to add extra colour and character to the performance.

What really stands out is how perfectly the music and the setting work together. The band’s expressive and sensitive playing feels completely in tune with the presence of Gaia overhead, creating a performance that is as much about feeling and reflection as it is about sound. Beneath the image of the Earth, the concert becomes a quiet reminder of the beauty and fragility of the world we share.Under the Earth is a fantastic concept, beautifully brought to life by Newstead Brass.

With concerts planned across the region throughout 2025, audiences can look forward to more opportunities to experience the band’s thoughtful and uplifting music-making.