Home-town musicians to give star a helping hand

A group of brass musicians from music producer Trevor Horn's home village are to accompany the star on stage when he returns to north-east England this month.

Horn, famed for his work with Frankie Goes to Hollywood, ABC and Seal having also co-written the track Video Killed the Radio Star, was born in Hetton-le-Hole, near Durham, in 1949.

The 76-year-old will be performing at Newcastle's O2 City Hall on 18 December and has invited players from local group The Welfare Collective to join him.

Trombonist David Smith said his fellow band members reacted with delight when the invite was confirmed.

"When it was first mentioned, I thought I'll not get too excited because plans can change," he explained.

"But it was confirmed last week so I sent a WhatsApp round the band saying we were on for the gig.

"It's a venue we never dreamt we'd play. We're buzzing. Any other plans have been cancelled - someone was supposed to be working in Manchester, others have a wedding that day but are coming back for the concert."

The Welfare Collective's musicians are set to play on Video Killed the Radio Star - a UK number one hit for Buggles in 1979 - and Seal's Kiss From a Rose, which featured on the soundtrack of Batman Forever in 1995 and topped the American singles chart.

The band members grew up in Hetton-le-Hole and were taught music by Mr Smith's mum at Hetton Lyons Primary School.

Performing in different groups together for more than a decade, they have been using The Welfare Collective moniker for about 12 months and count Glastonbury and the Edinburgh Fringe as previous highlights.

The invite to play at the O2 City Hall came through a family connection as the band's backing singer - and Mr Smith's fiancee - Sarah Payne is the daughter of one of Horn's cousins.

"We've been a couple for about 20 years," Mr Smith said. "A few months into the relationship she mentioned her 'Our Trevor' produces records.

"I said 'Oh, yeah, who's that then?' When I found out who she meant, I thought 'Flipping heck!'"

Horn says the concert will be a return to a venue he performed in about 60 years ago as part of the Durham County Youth Orchestra, playing double bass on the William Tell Overture.

For Mr Smith, the day's soundcheck will likely provide the only opportunity to practice with the star.

"We're hoping everything syncs up perfectly," he says wryly. "Video Killed the Radio Star is stuck in my head now I'm learning the parts. It's a proper earworm.

"We're putting in a lot of preparation for a three-and-a-half-minute song, and no doubt it will fly by.

"It's up to us to nail it as best we can and have a good time."

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